Best Friends National Conference

The Best Friends National Conference in Houston may be over, but our work to save the lives of pets never ends.

At the Best Friends National Conference presented by Petco Love from August 10–12, attendees learned how to make an impact in their communities from presenters from different backgrounds and organization types, including leaders in animal welfare, marketing, DE&I, government relations, and more — and all while having fun!

Now it's time to take what we learned to save pets in our communities.

Attendees heard from leading experts in animal welfare

This year’s exciting lineup of speakers spoke about the latest and most thought-provoking innovations.

Here’s a look at some of our engaging and informative speakers:

Chumkee Aziz, Outreach Veterinarian at University of California-Davis

Oliver Lacosta, Feline Foster Program Coordinator at Contra Costa Animal Services

Jerrica Owen, Executive Director at National Animal Care Association

Paula Powell, Senior Manager South Central Region at Best Friends Animal Society

Mike Wheeler, Director of Community Services at Cabot Animal Support Services

Faith Wright, Director of Operations at Palm Valley Animal Society

Meet More Speakers

See the agenda »

We're so grateful for our volunteers

Thank you to our volunteers who helped out at this year's conference!

Volunteers at the Best Friends National Conference had fun while making a difference! Our volunteers gave a helping hand to conference attendees and assisted in so many other ways.

A special thank-you to our 2023 sponsors

Presented by:

With additional support from:

Save the lives of pets near you

This year’s conference has come to an end, but there are so many other ways you can continue to create a better world for homeless pets and their communities.

Person playing with a dog in a living room

Foster a pet

Fostering a pet is a short-term commitment with long-term impact. By opening your home to a dog or cat for even a few days, you can save lives. 

The fun of fostering

Smiling person sitting on the ground next to a dog while hugging it

Adopt a pet

When you adopt a homeless dog or cat from a shelter or rescue group, you’re making a lifesaving difference for a loving and grateful animal.

Find adoptable dogs and cats near you

Join a local team of advocates

We make the most change for animals when we work together, which is why we formed the Best Friends 2025 Action Team. Once you sign up for the 2025 Action Team, you’ll receive emails with more ways you can help save homeless pets.

Find a Best Friends Network partner near you

The Best Friends Network is made up of thousands of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations, and other animal welfare groups, all working to save the lives of dogs and cats in communities like yours across the country.

Each and every one of our network partners needs caring people like you to adopt, foster, donate, volunteer, and advocate to help save the lives of pets where you live.

Find a network partner near you today:

Let’s be friends!

Connect with us on social media to stay in the loop about the lifesaving progress we’re making together. 

Turn learning into lifesaving