Brown dog standing on the desk with a woman working on a computer

AI Is Here, Let's Make it Work for Lifesaving

Increase return-to-home rates

In 2024, network partners participated in the Return to Home Challenge to help lost dogs find their way back home faster, resulting in a 170% increase in return-to-home in-field outcomes alone.

How they did it

Drive more adoptions

Last year, network partners participated in the Bring Love Home Challenge to decrease barriers to adoption and fostering, resulting in an 11.4% increase in adoption and foster placements for 209 reporting organizations.

Replicate their results

Build lifesaving momentum

2024 data shows a 7.5% increase in transfers out, but there’s still work to do to create more movement in the animal welfare ecosystem and open up space in shelters for those in need.

Increase transfers

Resource Library

Access proven lifesaving strategies in our free library of resources for shelters and rescue groups. Information-sharing is a key component of the Best Friends Network.

799 results

Blog

New World Screwworm: Fly Mitigation and Wound Management

With New World Screwworm confirmed in South Texas, shelters in southern states should approach fly mitigation in layers. The core risk is a female fly finding an open wou...

Female doctor sitting on the floor with a dog and using a stethoscope

Blog

New World Screwworm: Staff and Volunteer Training Guide

You don't need to be a veterinarian to play a critical role in protecting the animals in your shelter. You just need to know what to look for and what to do when you see ...

A woman in a surgical gown with a white and brown dog kissing her nose

Blog

Kittens Are the Most Vulnerable Shelter Population, but Among the Most Adoptable

New data analysis comes with a clear call to action: Neonatal kittens have the highest mortality of all shelter populations — but that once they reach eight weeks old, th...

Woman in background with two baby kittens in the foreground

Blog

My Opinion About the Term 'No-Kill' Doesn't Matter (and Yours Probably Doesn't Either)

Over the course of my 20-plus years in animal welfare, I've argued (often passionately) on both sides of this debate. But after years of talking with hundreds of people a...

Woman in plaid shirt kneeling down outside with brown and white dog that's sitting on its hindlegs

Blog

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— NETWORK PARTNER STATISTICS —

5 points

Higher save rate on average for network partner shelters than non-partners.

6,000+

Shelters, rescue groups, and support organizations make up the Best Friends Network.

$2.4M

In grants. This year, our partners can access more than $2.4 million in grant funding.

Get Involved

The Best Friends Network is committed to saving the lives of homeless cats and dogs through collaboration, information-sharing, and implementation of proven strategies. Get involved for free!

Woman smiling at a kitten she's holding up.

Join the network

Our network of shelters, rescue groups, and other support organizations help each other and inspire their own communities to save lives across the country. Sign up for free in a few simple steps.

Join the network

Upcoming events

Tailored events, support, and resources to take your lifesaving to the next level. Plus, this year, we’re offering $2.4 million in grants.

Explore opportunities

Shelter Pet Data Alliance

Our free data analysis tool for organizations like yours to navigate through intakes and outcomes, see trends, and improve your daily decision-making.

Submit your data

Dog in orange glasses sitting politely next to laptop

Get updates

Get email updates for everything on everything happening with the Best Friends Network and exclusive partner opportunities.

Subscribe for updates

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Get support

Our regional teams want to help you be successful. Contact our local experts to take advantage of this free support opportunity.

Find your regional strategist

Opportunities to connect and save the lives of pets

Have fun and connect with fellow network partners and animal lovers at these upcoming events.

2 upcoming events

* = registration required

Sep 9 Wednesday

Taking Risks to Save Lives in Shelter Medicine

2:00pm–3:00pm MT

When medical and operations teams align around calculated risk-taking, shelters save more lives.

When medical and operations teams align around calculated risk-taking, shelters save more lives. This session explores the latest updates in shelter medicine, from neonatal vaccination to stress management for dogs, and how sound science, smart metrics, and careful risk assessment can help us all drive better outcomes for vulnerable pets.

Location: Virtual

Sep 19 Saturday

Adventure Buddies Day

All Day

Join the Best Friends Lifesaving Centers and other network partners in hosting a national doggy day out day, with this free Adventure Buddies marketing toolkit.

Join the Best Friends Lifesaving Centers and other network partners in hosting a national doggy day out day, with this free Adventure Buddies marketing toolkit. This is a great opportunity to give dogs a break from the shelter while engaging your community in saving lives. Learn more about doggy day out programs.

Get the support you need

The Best Friends Network team is your lifeline to support for your organization and collaboration with other network partners.

We can also connect you with Best Friends experts, resources, funding opportunities, and so much more. Meet the team or connect with us on social media to stay in the loop about the lifesaving progress we’re making together.

Meet The Team

Let’s be friends!

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

About the Best Friends Network

The network is a free community of over 6,000 animal welfare organizations, including shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter groups, transport groups, and other support organizations.

The Best Friends Network is your support system in your journey to save the lives of dogs and cats in your communities. Network partners gain access to exclusive challenges, grants, resources, and dedicated support.

Connect with partners across the country, access proven strategies, and collaborate to increase lifesaving nationwide.

AI Is Here, Let's Make it Work for Lifesaving

Increase return-to-home rates

Drive more adoptions

Build lifesaving momentum

Resource Library

Access proven lifesaving strategies in our free library of resources for shelters and rescue groups. Information-sharing is a key component of the Best Friends Network.

New World Screwworm: Fly Mitigation and Wound Management

New World Screwworm: Staff and Volunteer Training Guide

Kittens Are the Most Vulnerable Shelter Population, but Among the Most Adoptable

My Opinion About the Term 'No-Kill' Doesn't Matter (and Yours Probably Doesn't Either)

Top 5 Realities Every Shelter Leader Should Be Ready For

Implementing Pilot Programs: Turning Ideas into Action in Your Organization

It’s Raining Cats and Kittens — and Your Data Is the Umbrella

How to Save More Cats and Kittens: A Roundup of Lifesaving Shelter Programming

AI Prompt Kit for Shelter and Rescue Professionals

Beyond the Numbers: What 2025 Shelter Data Reveals — and How to Put It to Work

2025 National Shelter Data Report

There's No Place Like Home: How to Advocate for Pet Inclusive Housing

New Data Finding: 'Micro Learning' Leads to Lasting Lifesaving Change

New Data Finding: Foster Programs Boost Adoptions by 20 Percentage Points

From Volunteers to Change-Makers: Turning Passion into Action for Animals

Dog Foster Care Manual

Browse by popular topics

Get Involved

Join the network

Upcoming events

Shelter Pet Data Alliance

Get updates

Get support

Opportunities to connect and save the lives of pets

Have fun and connect with fellow network partners and animal lovers at these upcoming events.

Get the support you need

The Best Friends Network team is your lifeline to support for your organization and collaboration with other network partners.

Let’s be friends!

About the Best Friends Network

The network is a free community of over 6,000 animal welfare organizations, including shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter groups, transport groups, and other support organizations.