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Beau hugging Mac the puppy

Survivor puppy is young boy’s best surprise yet

Despite his mom needing emergency surgery when he was just days old, Mac is a healthy puppy and a young boy’s best friend.
The best surprise ever
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Volunteer Ben Richards holding a black and white cat in front of some kennels

Labor of love: serving pets and people

Ben Richards has dedicated his life to service and channels his faith into helping homeless pets in Salt Lake City.
Learn what motivates him
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Woodrow the cat with Jane Brodziak in the background

Unforgettable 18-year-old cat goes home

A volunteer met Woodrow at Best Friends six years ago, never forgot him and now he’s living his golden years at home with her.
Worth the wait
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Hulk the dog lying on a wooden bench, smiling

Dog named Hulk lands a home with a bodybuilder

Hulk is big and exuberant enough to easily knock people over, but now his days are filled with exercise, playtime and naps in his new home.
Big dog, big love
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Spiderman the cockatoo holding a toy in his beak

How Spiderman got his groove back

Cockatoo lived in distress for a long time, but now he’s all about dancing and shouting his name with joy
See how his life has changed
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Brown dog in a home with blanket over her and her eyes closed and smiling with tongue out

5 adorable pet adoption tails

Meet a puppy who can’t believe she got adopted, a cat who snuggles her sloth toy and more pets with new families.
Read about the happy adoptions
Best Friends Magazine
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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
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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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Best Friends original logo of a horse, pig, cat, and dog

Working Together

All across America, pets in shelters are connected with loving new families, increasing the national save rate from 64% in 2015 to 83% in 2021.

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Line drawing of people and pets

Our Impact

In 2021, shelters that engaged with Best Friends reduced the number of dogs and cats killed by 0.1%. That number at unengaged shelters increased by 15.3%.

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Small terrier dog with tongue out on red blanket next to a small pine tree
Spreads joy. Arrives on time. Always the right fit.
Make an Honorary Gift

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.

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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?
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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
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Volunteer

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

Volunteer near you
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Pet lovers on your list this year?

Shop our Best Friends Store and help save lives.

Buy now!
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Adopt a buddy for free, just in time for the holidays

Embrace Pet Insurance is covering all adoption fees at Best Friends locations.

Adopt a pet
- Best Friends Animal Society
Meet Opie
Help animals all year round by making a monthly gift today.
Give Monthly
- Best Friends Animal Society
Adopt a rabbit
- Best Friends Animal Society
Adopt Raquel
- Best Friends Animal Society
Get to know Snickers
- Best Friends Animal Society
Adopt Holy Moly
Choose a Sanctuary animal to sponsor. Your gift helps find a loving home, spay/neuter, and much more.
Sponsor an Animal
- Best Friends Animal Society
Meet Bryce
 

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

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