Pet Adoption Stories

Christmas lights in Chickasha, Oklahoma during sunset

A real-life Hallmark movie for shelter pets

Chickasha Animal Shelter in Oklahoma, with help from Best Friends, is creating mor...
Making magic for the animals
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Elliott the dog with his family

Oklahoma shelter dog wins 5K race, gets adopted

A fun-filled adoption event and 5K race in Oklahoma helped a dog named Elliott, an...
From shelter to finish line to beloved family member
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Wanda the cat

Magical connections with 2 special cats

Visitors to the Best Friends Pet Resource Center hadn’t expected to fall in love, ...
Special-needs cats find loving homes
Best Friends Magazine
Person petting Bentley the doodle

She adopted her dream doodle

After buying their first puppy from a breeder, a family in California decided to a...
Now Bentley is family
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Max as a puppy

Emaciated puppy gets fresh start

Little Max was found hungry and alone. It was the beginning of his long journey ho...
Now growing and thriving
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Person holding a kitten in front of some wire kennels at the Best Friends Super Adoption in Utah

450+ pets go home at Best Friends Super Adoption in Utah

Thousands of animal lovers joined dozens of shelters and rescue groups to connect ...
A supersized celebration
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Nigel the dog snuggling with another dog on a couch

Faces of No-Kill: Dog goes from barking to bliss

Nigel landed in a shelter where he became overwhelmed and stressed, but time at Be...
Preparing Nigel for his biggest adventure yet
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Maggie the dog with her adopter in a vehicle

Chance encounter leads to love for deaf dog

It seemed like fate when Maggie’s “adopt me” vest caught the eye of someone specia...
Now she's right at home
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Birdie the French bulldog lying down with her wheelchair behind her

Small dog’s big joy leads her home

Birdie’s bright personality led her to a life full of adventure on wheels.
A new way of moving through the world
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Isaac playing with a wand toy with Emmalee the cat

Faces of No-Kill: The cat who purred through it all

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Emmalee purred even through her veterinary care,...
Cat receives the care she needs to feel her best
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Child eating an apple with Leroy the rabbit

Adopted pets find joy in their new homes

Goofy pups, confident cats, and cuddly bunnies — these Best Friends alumni are set...
Happy adoption tales
Best Friends Magazine
Pearl the dog surrounded by people wearing orange prison jumpsuits

Pearls of wisdom from Pearl the dog

A dog found alone in the desert embodied the power of second chances for everyone ...
The power of second chances
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Kayak the dog lying next to another dog on a bed

How one easygoing dog helps shy dogs bloom

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kayak’s calm presence — and very serious commitm...
Providing emotional support duties
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Tator the dog in a kennel

Couple’s plan to adopt one dog changes with a bark

A Texas couple fell in love with Tator’s online Best Friends adoption profile, but...
Right where they belong
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Millie the dog lying on a couch

Mama dog’s classic rom-com story

After being rescued with her seven puppies, Millie became the main character in a ...
She's now loving city life
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