We don't just talk about doing good. We track it, share it, and hold ourselves accountable. Here's the full story behind the numbers.
Every year, approximately 5.8 million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters and rescues. Of those, around 2 million are dogs who need adoption. Approximately 334,000 dogs are euthanized annually because shelters are overwhelmed, underfunded, and overcrowded. Many dogs are staying longer in shelters before being adopted, creating an ongoing capacity crisis.
Underdog Coffee directs a percentage of every dollar of revenue to canine rescue and adoption partners. Not profit. Revenue. That means dogs get fed and cared for whether we're having a record month or a slow one.
Our goal is simple: fewer dogs in shelters, more dogs in homes. Your morning coffee makes that happen.
Source: ASPCA, 2024 data via Shelter Animals Count national estimates.
There are 17.6 million veterans in the U.S. civilian population. While the overall veteran unemployment rate was 3.0% in 2024, this headline number masks deeper challenges. Women veterans face higher unemployment at 4.5%. Veterans with disabilities are at 5.5%. Black veterans face 6.6% unemployment. And behind the numbers, many veterans experience underemployment, loss of purpose, and difficulty translating military skills to civilian roles.
Underdog Coffee Bars are staffed and operated by veteran baristas. Our training program gives veterans hands-on skills, structure, community, and a clear path from service to meaningful civilian work. Every Underdog Coffee Bar you visit is powered by someone who served.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), December 2025. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Annual Employment Situation of Veterans, 2024.
The coffee industry generates enormous waste. Single-use cups, plastic packaging, energy-intensive equipment. We're building Underdog to be different from day one.
Our upcycled shipping container coffee bars give retired containers a second life instead of sending them to scrap. Our cups are 100% compostable. Our packaging is designed to minimize waste. And we select equipment and partners based on their environmental footprint, not just their price tag.
Great coffee starts at the farm. We're committed to building direct, transparent relationships with the farms and cooperatives who grow our beans. From Ethiopia to Colombia to Guatemala, we believe in paying fair prices, supporting sustainable farming practices, and being transparent about every step from bean to cup.
As we grow, this section will detail the specific farms we work with, the communities we support, and the positive impact our sourcing has on the ground. We're not there yet, but it's where we're headed.
"We go where the good beans are. And we leave things better than we found them."
We believe impact claims without proof are just marketing. As Underdog grows, we commit to publishing regular impact reports showing exactly where the money goes, how many dogs we've helped, how many veterans we've trained, and how we're tracking against our environmental goals.
This page will be updated with real, verified numbers as we grow. Until then, we're being upfront: we're a startup with big ambitions and small numbers. But every journey starts with a single cup.
"Transparency is non-negotiable."
Join the pack and help us grow the impact. Every cup counts.
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