In loving memory of Harley Quinn Davidson

Harley originally belonged to Jill Davidson, beloved daughter of Ronnie and Louis Davidson. Living in Los Angeles, Jill wanted a place where the sweet Shiba Inu could be boarded in an open environment, free to run and play.

So, in 2004 she was inspired to create CageFree K-9 Camp, which became and still is a state-of-the art boarding, day care, grooming and training facility for dogs. In 2007, Jill established CageFree K-9 Rescue Foundation, a rescue group that fulfilled Jill’s desire to help dogs in need. At the time of her death in 2021 at age 43, Jill had placed more than 1,500 dogs in homes.

Ronnie and Louis officially adopted Harley when she was eight years young. Jill had trained her as a service dog so she could accompany Louis and Ronnie on travels for their Synagogues360 project (photographing and chronicling the history of synagogues around the world).

Harley loved to travel and made fast friends everywhere she went. The bright, fun and versatile dog could adapt to any situation, staying at hotels ranging from Motel 6 to The Plaza. Harley was Louis and Ronnie’s best buddy, and they loved having her as part of their family. Louis and Harley shared a particularly close bond and seeing them together brought a smile to all.

Because Harley visited synagogues in every contiguous U.S. state, plus every province in Canada that had a synagogue, she became known as Harley the Syna-dog. Harley is commemorated in photographs and written works, as well as in a permanent Synagogues360 exhibit at the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Just a few years ago, cats and dogs were killed in staggering numbers in this country simply because shelters didn’t have the community support or the resources to save their lives. As of 2023, that number is 380,000 per year, but there’s still work to do to ensure a bright future for every dog and cat in America. 

Best Friends operates the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals and is saving the lives of homeless pets across the country by working with shelters and passionate people like you. Together, we will bring the whole country to no-kill in 2025. Together, we will Save Them All.