Julie Castle with Sunny the dog

Julie Castle's Blog

Julie Castle is Chief Executive Officer of Best Friends Animal Society. Read More @BFAS_Julie

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Profile of two shepherd-type dogs.
'Let’s stop killing animals in shelters and get more of them adopted out'
Los Angeles Times editorial board calls out the conditions and operations at Los Angeles Animal Services.
Support the pets of Los Angeles
Julie Castle Blog
Dog with two different colored eyes and licking his lips in a home environment holding a toy ball
Lack of funding and lifesaving structure is costing lives at LAAS
Increased deaths and missed opportunities demand accountability and action.
Demand change now
Julie Castle Blog
Shepherd-type dog in a home setting
3.4% fewer animals were killed in shelters so far in 2024
Best Friends’ latest data shows a turning point for shelters across the country.
Let’s celebrate the positive momentum in lifesaving
Julie Castle Blog
Tabby kitten lying on a gray blanket with another cat in the background
Virginia’s no-kill commitment: A big win for pets in the commonwealth
Virginia Loves Shelter Animals Month encourages no-kill in 2025.
This isn’t just a declaration — it’s a rallying cry
Julie Castle Blog
Person holding a puppy at the Los Angeles Super Adoption while another person behind them holds a sign that says I adopted my best friend
Empty trucks return to shelters after Best Friends Super Adoption
More than 460 dogs and cats were saved in Los Angeles.
Proof that collaboration works for all concerned
Julie Castle Blog
Person with a dog with a downed tree in Florida after Hurricane Milton
Best Friends' lifesaving work in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton
A summary of our crisis response over the past three weeks
Helping shelters and communities in need
Julie Castle Blog
Person walking a gray and white pit-bull-type dog outside on a sidewalk
Best Friends withdraws offer of support to Los Angeles Animal Services
City of Los Angeles ignores Best Friends' offer — dysfunction trumps common sense.
Will still maintain presence in Los Angeles
Julie Castle Blog
Smiling person holding three kittens in her arms
Changes to rescue, adoption practices save more animals
How one organization increased home placement by 2,133%
Challenge grants are helping to save lives
Julie Castle Blog
Person petting two dogs, including one who is wearing a SUU bandana
Best Friends earns place on Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators
How one idea turned into an innovative partnership.
Pioneering online learning in the animal services profession
Julie Castle Blog
Julie Castle with her dog Sunny
Celebrating our best friends on International Dog Day
Let’s be as good a friend to dogs as they have been to us
Let's do something for them
Julie Castle Blog
Black and white pit-bull-type dog in a home setting on a multi-colored rug
PETA again takes aim at the no-kill movement
What's up with PETA?
Read my thoughts
Julie Castle Blog
Black, brown and white dog with upright ears
Reinstate funding and staff positions at Los Angeles Animal Services
Tax dollars should not fund the killing of dogs and cats in shelters.
Funding and staffing should be dedicated to lifesaving
Julie Castle Blog
Cricket
Yes, I’m going there: My thoughts on Kristi Noem killing her dog Cricket
How could a no-kill organization not weigh in?
Read my thoughts
Julie Castle Blog
Smiling person rubbing the belly of a dog lying on his side
Killing in shelters would end if 6% more people adopted
Best Friends takes over Times Square to bring love home.
Help get more dogs and cats out of shelters and into homes
Julie Castle Blog
Person walking a heeler-type dog outside
Public support is the answer to Los Angeles Animal Services' crisis
Angelenos are a largely untapped reservoir of support for shelter pets.
Urge Los Angeles Animal Services to engage the public
Julie Castle Blog