Lee Asher’s Rescue Pup Matilda Proves There’s No Such Thing As Broken

It was a day full of wagging tails, tearful stories, and one seriously golden gesture.

To celebrate National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, Raising Cane’s dropped a jaw-dropping $100,000 donation to The Asher House, the beloved animal rescue nonprofit founded by social media star Lee Asher.

But while the event was all about giving back, it was one very special pup who stole the spotlight: Matilda.

“She was in the shelter forever because no one wanted her,” Asher told The Blast at the press conference, fighting back emotion.“She has cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological disorder that affects her balance, and people just passed her over.”

For Asher, who grew up with severe learning disabilities and often felt like an outcast himself, Matilda’s story hit close to home.

“When I met her, I felt seen,” he shared. “She reminded me that there’s no such thing as broken, that our differences make us beautiful. Now she’s deeply loved… and sleeps in bed with me every single night.”

Matilda is just one of more than 200 rescue animals living at Asher’s Oregon sanctuary, which has become a viral haven for everything from dogs and cats to horses and llamas.

Thanks to a passionate online following and his Discovery+ series "My Pack Life," Lee Asher’s mission has gone mainstream, and this latest donation is his biggest yet.

So where’d the six-figure check come from?

It was the result of Raising Cane’s Golden Plush Puppy campaign, which celebrated the brand’s “golden birthday," 28 years on the 28th, by selling limited-edition gold plush puppies in restaurants and online for $9.99. Inspired by Cane III (the company’s adorable yellow Lab namesake), the sparkly stuffed pup wasn’t just cute, 100% of net proceeds went to pet welfare causes.

Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves, a longtime animal lover and rescue dog owner himself, helped turn the plush puppy into a powerhouse initiative that’s raised over $8 million to date. This year alone, the campaign raised more than $350,000, with Asher’s nonprofit receiving the largest chunk.

“We’ve donated over $13.5 million to pet causes, but this $100K to Lee is something special,” Graves said. “He’s changing lives every single day, and I can’t wait to visit his sanctuary.”

Asher accepted the donation during a special event at Raising Cane’s in Vancouver, Washington, where he showed up with five members of his pack, Patrick, Butters, Cali, Tommy, and of course, Matilda, all dressed in Cane’s gear and ready for their close-up.

For Asher, the moment was deeply personal.

“This is the biggest donation I’ve ever received, and from the bottom of my heart, I’m so thankful,” he said. “Animal lovers are a different kind of special. People like Todd — they bring light into the world.”

It was also Lee Asher’s first time trying Raising Cane’s, which received a solid paw of approval: “It definitely won’t be my last. We need one near the sanctuary!”

Sophia Graves also chimed in with praise for the rescue leader: “I admire the amazing work Lee is doing. I can’t wait to visit The Asher House and help even more animals.”

Following the check presentation, Asher held a press conference with media where he opened up even more about the mission behind The Asher House — and how his four-legged family continues to shape his purpose.

He credited the nonprofit’s success to its deep connection with supporters, emphasizing that it's not just about rescue: it’s about community.

He said the goal is to create a space where animal lovers feel like they belong, especially those who’ve been made to feel “crazy” for how deeply they love their pets. “We show people that it’s OK to be obsessed with your animals.”

Lee Asher added that he hopes The Asher House becomes a legacy that lives far beyond him, sharing, “My dream is that no dog ever dies in a shelter again — that there’s always a home for them with us.”

When asked about his advice for adopting, Asher didn’t sugarcoat it: “Don’t get a dog because you want one. Get one because they need you. This isn’t just a pet, it’s a soul. A mind. You don’t know what you’re going to get, but you’re signing up to love and protect them for life.”

This massive $100K moment is just part of a larger celebration. Raising Cane’s kicked off its Golden Birthday campaign last August with the grand opening of its 828th restaurant, decked out in gold, and promised a year of surprises, including $100,000 in golden prizes and a pledge to donate $28 million to local communities. So far, the company has donated nearly $140 million over its 28-year history.

From opening dog parks and sponsoring adoption events to funding plush puppy campaigns and shelter drives, Cane’s is all-in on pet welfare. With over 9,000 pet-focused partnerships across the country, it’s clear this chicken finger empire has a serious soft spot for furry friends.