Help these shirtless Aussie firefighters rescue animals

Shirtless for Good 

For 33 years, the men of the Australian Firefighters Calendar have gone shirtless for a cause. The buff fellas who fight fire Down Under famously pose shirtless in suspenders alongside adorable furries, from kittens to koalas. Proceeds from the calendar support various charities. The 2026 calendar continues that “legacy, combining striking photography with a clear charitable mission: to support animal welfare, disaster recovery and first-responder wellbeing both across Australia and the US,” according to a release.

No matter one’s preferred firefighter-animal pairing, there is a breadth of calendars to choose from, including a kitten, dog, horse, mixed animal (including koala bears and goats), and a hero calendar (for those who prefer their firefighters solo and wielding an oversized hose).

When the horrifying wildfires tore through Los Angeles earlier this year, the Australian firefighters produced a charity calendar with all proceeds benefitting the Pasadena Humane Society, which took in and treated more than 800 pets displaced by the fires. The Aussie firefighters have become familiar with Pasadena, California, from members of the calendar appearing at the feline convention CatCon each year.

“It was heartbreaking to watch the parts of Los Angeles we visit each year devastated by these fires,” says David Rogers, director of the Australian Firefighters Calendar. “I stayed in constant contact with our friends there, and the firefighters featured in our calendars decided to produce a charity edition to raise funds and show solidarity with our US friends.”

Proceeds from the calendar also went to help those affected by the catastrophic floods in Kerr County, Texas, this July.

Beneficiaries of the 2026 calendar include Pasadena Humane Society, Kerr County Relief Fund, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, Rural Fire Service (CAVFA), Wildcare Inc., and Kids With Cancer Foundation.

Scroll through a selection of pectorals and pets for a good cause below. And support the Australian Firefighters Calendar and its mission here.

This visual collection was curated by equalpride's digital photo editor, Nikki Aye.

Ben W.

Alex

Micky

Richard

Michell

Cody

Jackson

Lloyd

Kane

Ricky

Aaron

Matt R.

Brett

Ricky

Lincoln

Nathan B.

Ben W.

Adam

Matt

Paddy

Nathan B.

Matt H.

Cody

Lloyd

Luke

Brett

Dave

Jimmy

Mal

Ben C.