The Paws in the Field Challenge
In May 2025, the Best Friends Network called on animal services officers across the country to pilot innovative, community-based field services tactics through the Paws in the Field Challenge — all with the goal of saving more pets lives by increasing return-to-home (RTH) rates both in-field and in-shelter.
Thanks to the dedication and creativity of the participating organizations, this challenge not only increased RTH outcomes, but also helped to reshape how communities think about lost pets. More than 2,500 pets were reunited with their families in the 91 participating communities. Officers stepped up outside the shelter walls to engage with neighbors, apply new tools and training, and bud proactive systems that keep more pets out of shelters and get them back home faster.
How did they do it?
Explore the resources, materials, and new operations that challenge participants implemented to achieve these remarkable results. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or ready to implement some proven strategies, we’ve got the tools to help you make an impact in your community.
Resources & materials:
- Paws in the Field Challenge Operations Guide
- Paws in the Field Challenge Marketing and Communications Guide
- Paws in the Field Press Release Template
- Paws in the Field Challenge Creative Templates
- Paws in the Field: Real-World Strategies for Officers on the Frontlines
- Using Heat Mapping in Field Services (Video, Google Maps Guide, and Templates)
- PetHub Resources and Templates
- PetLink Microchip Guide
What they did:
During the Paws in the Field Challenge, participating organizations piloted new field services strategies and RTH practices to help more pets get home faster, without ever having to enter the shelter.
Here’s how they did it:
- Used field services kits provided by Best Friends, which included microchip scanners, PetHub tags, and community outreach tools
- Expanded field investigation efforts, with officers scanning all stray animals for microchips and checking tags before impoundment — making direct contact with owners whenever possible to reunite pets in the field
- Tracked in-field reunions to reflect the time, effort, and impact of proactive officer work
- Provided reclaim flyers and door hangers at intersections near the impoundment location, helping community members assist in the return of lost pets
- Recorded detailed impoundment locations to support targeted outreach and mapping efforts
- Distributed free PetHub QR code tags in the community to encourage future reunions without shelter intake
- Shared Network Neighbor yard signs and materials to increase neighborhood-based lost pet support (optional)
Congratulations to our grant recipients!
Organizations with the greatest year-over-year increase in return-to-home rates for dogs (in-field and in-shelter combined):
- City of Meridian Animal Shelter
- City of Natchitoches
- Granville County Animal Control
- Regional Animal Shelter of King William County
- Wilbarger Humane Society
Participating organizations grant recipients:
- Altus Animal Shelter
- Animal Assistance League of Slidell
- Animal Welfare League Of Montgomery County
- Arctic Paws Foundation
- Asheville Humane Society
- Bernalillo County Animal Care Services
- Bolingbrook Animal Control & Care
- Bryant Animal Control & Adoption Center
- Burke County Animal Services
- Casa Grande Animal Care & Adoption Center
- Casper Metro Animal Services
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control
- Chickasha Animal Shelter
- Christian County Animal Shelter
- City of Clovis Animal Shelter
- City of Douglas Animal Shelter
- City of Hearne Animal Control Facility
- Colleton County Animal Services
- Craven-Pamlico Animal Services Center
- Cumberland County Animal Services
- DuPage County Animal Services
- Everett Animal Shelter
- Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Humane Society
- Fort Pierce Animal Adoption Center
- Greene County Animal Services
- Hardin County Animal Care and Control
- Hawaiian Humane Society
- Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility
- Humane Society Of Skagit Valley
- Humane Society of Elkhart County
- Indianapolis Animal Care Services
- Jeffersonville Animal Shelter
- Kaua'i Humane Society
- Kent County Animal Shelter
- Liberal Animal Shelter
- Madill Animal Shelter
- Marion County Animal Services
- Maui Humane Society
- McKamey Animal Center
- Murray County Animal Control
- Onslow County Animal Services
- Orange County Animal Services
- Palms N Paws Animal Shelter
- Pasadena Animal Shelter
- Petworks Animal Services Inc.
- Placer County Animal Services
- Pulaski County Animal Control
- Saginaw County Animal Care Center
- Sioux Falls Area Humane Society
- Solano County Sheriff's Office Animal Care Division
- St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services
- Stanislaus Animal Services Agency
- Sumter County Board of County Commissioners
- Tangipahoa Parish Animal Services
- The Bullhead City Animal Shelter
- Torrance County Animal Services
- Town Of Morristown Animal Control
- Victoria County Animal Services