Join the Best Friends Network

The Best Friends Network is comprised of thousands of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations and other animal welfare organizations in all 50 states. We are a community committed to saving the lives of dogs and cats through collaboration, information-sharing and implementation of proven lifesaving strategies. Our partners support each other and inspire their own communities to increase lifesaving across the country.

We believe that every shelter, rescue group, and support organization is unique, just like each animal in their care. And because of that, each group deserves support and resources designed to address its specific lifesaving needs. Network partners have access to the following resources and tools:

• Support from a dedicated regional team for organizations in each region to participate in coalition-building, learn from groups in surrounding counties and states, and serve as lifesaving models for others
• Access to specialized digital tools, research, tech solutions, and resources developed by Best Friends staff members and other experts from across the country
• Opportunities for grants that support effective and innovative lifesaving programs, such as adoption, spay/neuter, and return-to-home
• Exclusive access to grant opportunities and events designed to increase lifesaving
• Discounted registration rates for the annual Best Friends National Conference and the opportunity to attend partner-only networking and appreciation events  
• Listing on the Best Friends website that links visitors to your organization’s website 

It is free to participate in the Best Friends Network. To apply and be eligible for participation, your organization/group must:

• Be willing and able to establish a positive working relationship with Best Friends and submit with required data reporting.
• Be a group or shelter operating in the United States (excluding U.S. Territories) serving dogs and/or cats and their owners.
• Be in compliance with all local laws and regulations governing animal sheltering and provide appropriate daily care to all animals under the care of the organization, including animals in foster homes or at other offsite locations. This includes, but is not limited to sanitary living conditions, food, water, enrichment and shelter.
• Be actively working toward the Best Friends mission of achieving no-kill by operating or supporting an active dog and/or cat adoption, transport, and/or spay/neuter or intake prevention program.
• Be an approved 501(c)(3) public charity or municipal shelter. To learn more about 501(c)(3), please visit the Internal Revenue Service website.
• Be in good standing with GuideStar Charity Check. 

We strongly encourage municipal shelters to become network partners.

We require that organizations have their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status before applying to become a partner.

Applications are typically reviewed within five business days. After your application has been reviewed and you are approved to become a network partner, you will receive an email with website links and other important information. 

Network partners are required to report annual statistics to Best Friends. Network partners are encouraged to maintain intake and outcome data on a monthly basis through Shelter Pet Data Alliance (if eligible). In order to be eligible for participation in our events and to be considered for financial aid or grants, monthly data is required. Reporting your statistics is essential to assessing community need and progress. Click here to learn more about reporting your stats.

See details here

Yes, you can find a complete list of partners online.

Network partner applicants’ operations are not vetted and approval as a Best Friends Network Partner is not an endorsement from Best Friends Animal Society. However, Best Friends does require all partners stay in compliance with local ordinances, including animal care requirements. If you have concerns about an existing Best Friends Network Partner, please contact our team.

No, Best Friends accepts groups at all stages of their lifesaving journey into the network provided that they are committed to increasing lifesaving. The goal of the network is to provide organizations with the resources they need to successfully achieve no-kill.

If you have questions, please contact our team.