Smiling person holding a small dilute calico kitten

Saving pets in Arkansas

The Best Friends Pet Resource Center is a place for pets — and the people who love them — in the heart of Bentonville, Arkansas.


The Pet Resource Center in Bentonville, Arkansas, is a place where the community can adopt a new best friend, find a pet to foster, and come together to save the lives of dogs and cats in Northwest Arkansas and beyond.

When supervised by a parent or guardian, children can interact with animals while visiting the Pet Resource Center. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times while visiting and one adult can supervise two minors.

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We’re here for you and for the entire community

Find your new best friend, vaccinate your dog or cat, find the pet supplies you need, and do so much more at the pet resource center!

Northwest Arkansas
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Opportunities to connect and save the lives of pets

Have fun and connect with fellow animal lovers at adoption fairs and community events at the new Best Friends Pet Resource Center.

4 upcoming events
* = registration required
Jul 31 Friday
Paint N' Sip *
4:30pm–6:30pm CT
Paint with Purpose: You’ll have the opportunity to paint one of the bright faces of our adoptable animals looking for a home!

Paint with Purpose: You’ll have the opportunity to paint one of the bright faces of our adoptable animals looking for a home! Any artist level is encouraged to come and paint a portrait of any of our adoptable animals that will go home with their future adopter. BYOB!: Feel free to bring a drink or snacks to enjoy as you paint, we'll have limited options to drink for attendees. Don't forget to bring a friend to enjoy the food and fun with! Meet the Models: Get to know the pets you’ll be painting! Before we begin, you’ll have the chance to meet and learn about the furry friends who will be featured in your artwork. Let’s paint a brighter future for our pets, one brushstroke at a time. The event is free, but registration is required. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early!
Location: Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville
Aug 1 Saturday
Leashes and Lattes at the Momentary
10:00am–11:00am CT
Saturday morning is made for hanging out with coffee and a good friend - it’s even better if the friend is a dog!
Best Friends and the Momentary are teaming up to make your Saturday morning just a little bit brighter with Leashes and Lattes, an informal gathering time for dogs, coffee, and the people who love them.
One Saturday each month, Best Friends will be hanging out in the Onyx Coffee Bar at the Momentary with a selection of adorable, adoptable dogs, offering free pup cups- for your pups and ours - from 10 am until 11 am. Drop by and make some new furry friends!
Aug 2 Sunday
Pet & Play Sunday
See details for times
Drop by the Best Friends Pet Resource Center for Pet & Play Sunday! Each week, we're diving into a fun and creative activity that's purr-fect for the whole family.
The craft schedule for August is:
August 2: Dog Ear Headbands
August 9: Origami Pet Bookmarks
August 16: Cat Wands
August 23: School Bus Popsicle Buddy
August 30: Felt Flags
This event is free. All supplies are provided and participants of all ages are welcome.
Please contact eventsnwa@bestfriends.org for more information.
Sunday, August 2: 11:00am–5:00pm CT
Sunday, August 9: 11:00am–5:00pm CT
Sunday, August 16: 11:00am–5:00pm CT
Sunday, August 23: 11:00am–5:00pm CT
Sunday, August 30: 11:00am–5:00pm CT
Aug 23 Sunday
Pop-up Mini Market
11:00am–4:00pm CT
Pop-Up Markets are Best Friends' way of showcasing small businesses and makers in NWA by providing space at the Best Friends Pet Resource Centers where they can offer their merchandise for sale on select Sundays.
Come out and do some shopping, enjoy a delicious beverage or vegan treat from Third Space Coffee, and meet some adorable adoptable pets!
** If you are interested in being one of our pop-up vendors, please reach out to us at eventsnwa@bestfriends.org.

Join us in this innovative work: Volunteer

Volunteers — passionate, caring people like you — are the heartbeat of our organization here in Northwest Arkansas. You make saving dogs and cats possible.

Whatever your interests, there’s a way you can help. Volunteers are needed for everything from cat socialization to photographing adoptable animals to making pet-enrichment toys at the center’s volunteer maker space. 

Volunteers also help with off-site clinics, events in the community, and transporting pets to other areas of the country where they’re most likely to find a home. The gift of your time makes a tremendous difference in the lives of homeless pets.

Person holding fluffy dog outside in a yard

Best work. Best perks. Best Friends.

Do you have a passion for helping your community and homeless pets? The new Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Northwest Arkansas is hiring!
Silhouette of two dogs, cat and kitten

Adopt to save cats and dogs in Northwest Arkansas

When you adopt a dog or cat, you’re not only saving a life, but you’re also freeing up space and resources for pets in shelters throughout Arkansas.

You’re freeing up space and resources for pets in shelters throughout Arkansas, and giving them a chance to grow, thrive and find families of their very own. You might not feel like a hero, but to one animal, you’re the entire world.

Find out more about pet adoption through Best Friends in Northwest Arkansas.

Best Friends Northwest Arkansas FAQs

What services does Best Friends Northwest Arkansas offer?

Best Friends in Northwest Arkansas is working collaboratively with animal rescue groups, city shelters, and passionate individuals who are all dedicated to saving the lives of cats and dogs in Northwest Arkansas shelters. We provide pet adoption services for dogs and cats, foster programs, volunteer opportunities, and community support. We can also provide training and behavior guidance should you ever need it or help you find local spay/neuter services. Come visit us, meet adoptable pets, and learn how you can help save lives right here in Northwest Arkansas. Get involved in Northwest Arkansas. Find help and services.

What are the hours for Best Friends' Bentonville location?

The Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. No appointment needed, walk-ins are welcome. So come meet some amazing dogs and cats — we look forward to helping you find your new best friend!

Do I need an appointment to visit?

You do not need an appointment to visit the animals! Please drop by any time during open hours. Adoption counselors will be available to help match you with your ideal pet, as well as provide suggestions, guide you to resources, and answer questions. We look forward to introducing you to a fantastic dog or cat. Browse adoptable pets.

How do I adopt from Best Friends Northwest Arkansas?

When you adopt a dog or cat who needs a place to call home, you're not only saving a life, you're helping the country get to no-kill. Visit our center in Northwest Arkansas and meet adoptable pets in person. Fill out our matchmaking survey, spend time with the animals, and our adoption counselors will help you find the right match. All pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Same-day adoptions are possible. When you give a dog or cat a home, you're making space in a Northwest Arkansas shelter for another pet who needs help.

What are the adoption fees at Best Friends Northwest Arkansas?

Adoption fees for adult dogs are $100 (puppies 6 months and under are $150). Adoption fees for adult cats are $100 (kittens 6 months and under are $150). Fees cover spay/neuter, vaccinations, a microchip, and a health check. Special promotions: All pets 7+ years old have fees waived. Veterans and active military members receive a 20% discount with proper ID. Two for one: Adopt two kittens (6 months or under) for the price of one. Check our website for current promotions. Adopt from Northwest Arkansas. See current adoption promotions.

Can I volunteer at Best Friends Northwest Arkansas?

Yes! Our lifesaving work is made possible by passionate, caring people like you who volunteer to help the animals here in Northwest Arkansas. You can provide hope and happiness to homeless pets by volunteering at our center in Northwest Arkansas. No experience is necessary; we'll train you and match you with opportunities that fit your interests and schedule. Whether you want to work directly with animals, help with events, or support our programs in other ways, there's a place for you with us. Volunteer in Northwest Arkansas. Explore all volunteer opportunities.

Can I foster a pet from Best Friends Northwest Arkansas?

Yes! When you foster a cat or dog in Northwest Arkansas, you're not only providing a safe and loving place for a pet to learn and grow, but you're also making room for more animals to be saved. Fostering is a short-term commitment with long-term impact — even a few days can save lives. Best Friends provides everything you need, including food, supplies, and veterinary care. You can help save lives by fostering a pet today, right here in Northwest Arkansas. Foster a pet in Northwest Arkansas. Learn more about fostering.

Does Best Friends' Northwest Arkansas location accept owner surrenders?

We're sorry to hear you are considering giving up your pet. We can provide resources to help you keep your pet at home or help you with rehoming your pet. Please explore pet care resources or contact us at nwaor@bestfriends.org for customized support. The Best Friends Northwest Arkansas location is unable to accept owner surrenders unless they were previously adopted from one of our adoption centers, however we are looking forward to providing support.

Welcome to the future of animal sheltering

We’re ushering in a new era of lifesaving at Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Northwest Arkansas.

Give to save lives

Your contribution supports lifesaving work right here at the pet resource center and helps shelters nationwide achieve no-kill.

Your gift helps save the lives of homeless pets here in Northwest Arkansas — and around the country — by providing spay/neuter services, funding vaccine clinics, ensuring quality veterinary care, promoting adoption, and so much more.

Lifesaving tales from Northwest Arkansas

Your generosity makes possible these pets’ stories of hope, love and resilience.

Person wearing an Adopt Foster Volunteer Best Friends T-shirt holding a small puppy

Shop to save lives in Northwest Arkansas and nationwide

When you shop at the Best Friends Store, the proceeds go right to work providing lifesaving care and companionship to animals in Northwest Arkansas and beyond.

Didn't find the right pet for you at our facility?

Check out other shelters and rescues that are part of our network:
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Visit us! 

The new Best Friends Pet Resource Center is open! Check out all the great things you’ll find here when you visit.

The pet resource center is in the heart of the Bentonville greenspace that will become the 8th Street Gateway Park. Parking is available at the center.

Contact Us

Best Friends Pet Resource Center in NW Arkansas

1312 Melissa Dr
Bentonville, AR 72712
United States

(479) 974-1363
Sunday - Saturday: 11:00 am-07:00 pm