2027 Rachael Ray No-Kill Excellence Grants & Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants

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.

Browse by popular topics

— 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

Two men handling a pet transport outside a car

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.

1 upcoming events

* = registration required

Oct 7 Wednesday

SPDA and PetPoint Office Hours

2:00pm–3:00pm MT

Join us for a live update on October 7 with experts from PetPoint by 24Pet and SPDA.

Join us for a live update on October 7 with experts from PetPoint by 24Pet and SPDA. We’ll walk through new resources for both platforms and show you how to make the most of your SPDA and PetPoint experience.

Location: Virtual

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.

2027 Rachael Ray No-Kill Excellence Grants & Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants

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.

Increasing Staff Buy In for Your Volunteer Engagement Strategy

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.