See How Far We've Come Together in 2025 Preliminary Shelter Data
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.
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.
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.
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.
— NETWORK PARTNER STATISTICS —
5 points
Higher save rate on average for network partner shelters than non-partners.
5,000+
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!
Opportunities to connect and save the lives of pets
Have fun and connect with fellow network partners and animal lovers at these upcoming events.
Turn Your Adopters into Champions at the Pet Lover's Choice Awards
Nov 05
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Mar 27
Get ready for the most exciting event of the year — introducing the Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards! Best Friends is partnering with a new, star-studded, nationally broadcast event that celebrates our beloved pets, and we want your organization to be a part of it. This is the chance to engage your communities, have them celebrate your adoption stories, and receive critical funding — up to $20,000 — for your organization.
There’s No Place Like Home: How to Advocate for Pet Inclusive Housing
Mar 19
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Mar 19
Families surrender beloved pets to shelters every day because people can’t find housing for the whole family. This is a major issue for pets, people, communities, shelters, and rescues — and it’s a problem we can solve together.
Learn about innovative pet-inclusive housing advocacy efforts around the country, and leave with new solutions for communities and organizations of any size. Our expert panelists will dive into ordinances, coalitions, relationships, data, and how to persuade elected officials that pet-inclusive housing isn't an animal welfare issue — it's a community welfare issue.
Learn about innovative pet-inclusive housing advocacy efforts around the country, and leave with new solutions for communities and organizations of any size. Our expert panelists will dive into ordinances, coalitions, relationships, data, and how to persuade elected officials that pet-inclusive housing isn't an animal welfare issue — it's a community welfare issue.
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!
Connect with us on social media to stay in the loop about the lifesaving progress we’re making together.
