Smiling brown and white dog wearing a harness with a small map graphic of the United States in the corner
Smiling brown and white dog wearing a leash with a small map graphic of the United States in the corner
How is your community doing when it comes to lifesaving?
See the data

Give a lifesaving gift today.

Longhair Siamese type cat with head tilted

5 Stories of People Helping Pets in Amazing Ways

Start your new year off right with stories of everyday heroes making a difference for pets in need.
Read their stories
Masked woman holding Cory the tabby cat

Paralyzed Cat is ‘Paws-itively Perfect’

Cory’s special medical needs were daunting to many, but for Laurel they made him perfect.
Read their story
Best Friends CEO Julie Castle sitting on a chair with a smiling dog in her lap

Julie Castle's Blog

A doozy of a year and wishing you all a healthy and happy new year!
Read latest post
Man in a hat holding a beagle

New Homes for 21 Abandoned Beagles

Best Friends, rescue organizations and the community come together to save beagles in Arkansas.
Read their stories
Woman with Molly the dog, who is wearing a bright pink tutu around her neck

Inspired by Senior Dog to Adopt Another

After fostering a dog who required a little extra time, couple is inspired to adopt another with the same need.
Read their story
iHop and Waffle House the rabbits

Blind Bunny and Her Seeing-Eye Brother Safe

Now at Best Friends, iHop with Waffle House the sibling rabbits, have nothing to fear.
Read their story
Circular photo of tabby cat wearing a collar

Saving lives

We ensure second chances to pets at our sanctuary and lifesaving centers, even as we expand programs nationwide that keep animals out of shelters in the first place.
Saving lives
Gray and white pit bull type dog leashed, in front of a chalkboard sign

Standing with shelters

We work to save more lives faster by providing shelters and rescue groups with ways to collaborate and connect so they can increase the number of animals they can rehome in their communities.
Standing with shelters
Orange tabby kitten being held by a child wearing a Best Friends Purritos T-shirt

Teaming Up

We're right there with you as you make a better future for homeless cats and dogs, giving you the support you need to care for your pets and the pets and people in your community.
Teaming up with you

Who We Are

We started over 35 years ago with a no-kill sanctuary in Utah. Today, we’re helping homeless pets in every corner of the country.

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Animal characters mule pig cat and dog

Working Together

All across America, pets in shelters are getting connected with loving new families, increasing the national save rate from 64% in 2015 to 83% in 2020.

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Line drawing of people and pets

Our Impact

Last year, shelters partnering with Best Friends reduced the number of pets killed at 3.5 times the rate of other shelters. That’s 63,374 cats and dogs saved.

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dog tag with Best Friends logo
Dog lying on a dog bed next to two kittens
Thank you for making 2021 a win for the animals.
Read the stories

Act for Animals

We’re saving more animals now than at any point in our history, but our work isn’t done until every dog and cat gets the chance to know care and companionship … in a safe and loving home.

Brindle and white pit bull with small white map of United States in a gray circle

Is your community no-kill?

See how you can help your local shelters save more animals with comprehensive, up-to-date shelter and rescue group data for your community.

How's your community?
Person walking a pit bull type dog on a leash in front of some water

Join the 2025 Action Team

Help create big change for the pets and people in your community. Connect with a local team of advocates today.

Get started
Black cat walking toward the camera with two people in the background

Volunteer

Whether at the Sanctuary, or a shelter in your community, make a real difference in the lives of homeless pets.

Volunteer near you
Person holding a pair of Siamese mix kittens

Volunteer

Whether at the Sanctuary, or a shelter in your community, make a real difference in the lives of homeless pets.

Volunteer near you
Pair of tan puppies chewing on the same toy

Find a pet

Ready to bring home a new best friend?  Adopt, foster or sponsor, and help a homeless pet find their forever home.

Adopt, Foster or Sponsor
Meet Opie
Help animals all year round by making a monthly gift today.
Give Monthly
Adopt a rabbit
Adopt Addi
Get to know Snickers
Adopt Holy Moly
Choose a Sanctuary animal to sponsor. Your gift helps find a loving home, spay/neuter, and much more.
Sponsor an Animal
Meet Keats
 

Thank you to the brands that love our pets, too:

Fresh Step Cat Litter Credit One Best Friends credit card Arcana logo AirVet logo