Make a difference with a donation for the animals today

At Best Friends, we aim for transparency and authenticity — two of our guiding principles — in every aspect of the work we do. Program spending includes animal care at our sanctuary and pet adoption centers, spay/neuter programs, support for our 5,500+ network partners, advocacy, and emergency response. In 2024, 87% of our spending went directly to programs and services, 4% to management and general, and 9% to fundraising. Our accounts are fully audited, and our annual report is available online for complete financial transparency.

Yes. Best Friends is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations to Best Friends are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our tax ID number is 23-7147797. You'll receive a receipt for your records after making your donation. For specific questions about your tax situation, please consult your tax adviser. All donations go straight to work saving the lives of homeless pets across the nation. View our financial information.

Yes! When you join Best Friends' community of monthly donors — a group we call Guardian Angels — you're making an enormous difference for homeless animals by providing the steady medical and emotional support they need, no matter when or for how long they need it. Monthly giving is easy to set up online using direct debit, credit card, or PayPal, and you can modify or cancel anytime. As a Guardian Angel, you'll receive regular updates on the pets you're helping and the programs you make possible. Your recurring gift provides nutritious meals, warm beds, lifesaving medical treatment, and the chance for pets to find loving homes. Become a Guardian Angel.

CEO Julie Castle's compensation for 2024 was $526,755. Executive compensation is publicly disclosed on our Form 990, which is available on our website. All compensation is reviewed and approved by our independent board of directors. At Best Friends, we're committed to transparency in all financial matters. You can review our complete financial information, including our audited financial statements and Form 990, online.

Best Friends has always believed that collaboration is the key to saving more lives. No one rescue group or shelter can create a no-kill city, and that's why we work with more than 5,500 shelters and rescue groups throughout the U.S. Best Friends runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary and operates centers in major cities, focusing exclusively on [ending the killing of pets in shelters]. We take a collaborative, not competitive, approach to animal welfare. Learn about our mission. Find network partners.

Yes! Honor the loved ones who have touched your life with a special gift. You can make an honor gift to celebrate someone living, a memorial gift for a person who has passed, or a memorial gift for a beloved pet. Your gift will help homeless pets live their best life and ensure they get the love and care they need to thrive. Your generosity provides veterinary treatment, loving care, and hope to pets in need. You can include a personal message with your tribute, and the honoree or their family will receive notification of your gift (without disclosing the amount).

There are lots of ways you can raise money and awareness to help save the lives of homeless pets. Create a personal fundraiser to celebrate a special occasion like a wedding, birthday, or other event. You can fundraise on social media; livestream on Twitch, Facebook, or YouTube; or create a memorial fundraiser to honor someone special. We provide free tools and support to make fundraising easy. All the funds you raise will be put straight to work helping dogs and cats in shelters all over the country find homes. Many companies also offer matching programs that can double your impact.

Yes! Making a gift of appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds to Best Friends not only saves lives; it also saves you money on taxes. Planned giving options include bequests through your will or trust, retirement assets, life insurance, charitable gift annuities, and IRA rollovers. When you leave a gift to Best Friends, you become part of our Forever Friends family, ensuring that homeless pets know love and warmth not only today but far into the future. Gift planning helps you turn your savings into lifesaving while meeting your personal, financial, and estate-planning goals. Contact our planned giving team at 435-359-9227 or plannedgiving@bestfriends.org.