Making the world better through kindness toward animals

Kindness is powerful, and even the smallest act to help an animal, the planet, or another person plants a seed for more good to come. That’s why Best Friends’ vision is a better world through kindness to animals. Every day, animal lovers are making a difference through their actions and helping to bring the entire country to no-kill in 2025. We’re excited to share a few of their stories here.

When Grubhub delivery driver Alan Moncayo went to drop off a lunch order at Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Virginia, he couldn’t have known that true love was just around the corner. But there it was — staring at him from the shelter’s front window in the form of a big, blocky-headed pup named Jihoo. Alan’s 5-year-old daughter had been begging him for a dog, and, as luck would have it, she was accompanying him on his deliveries that day. So they asked whether they could meet Jihoo and hit it off immediately while playing a game of fetch with him. Now, this sweet and gentle pup is loving life at home with his new family.

Officer Thomas Stanfield with the Alachua Police Department in Florida was on patrol when he saw a tiny someone who needed help. A black-and-white kitten was lying right in the middle of a busy highway as cars whizzed by. A passing truck driver also noticed the hairy situation and stopped the truck to help block traffic as Thomas got out of his car to scoop up the little fuzz ball. The kitten was unharmed and is now living life out of the fast lane with one of the police department’s dispatchers.

Hannah Riley was out of the country when a nightmare scenario happened: Her beloved dog Hazel, who was back home in Georgia, had gone missing. Through a wave of emotions, Hannah texted her local friends and posted about Hazel on social media, hoping to get as many eyes as possible looking for her. The community responded in a big way: Hannah’s post went viral, and perfect strangers were inspired to pound the pavement looking for Hazel. Many more people offered suggestions and support via social media, and several media outlets picked up the story. That’s how a local woman recognized the pup when a tired but happy Hazel wandered into her yard. She contacted Hannah, and the two were reunited.

One day, staff at Fayetteville Animal Protection Society in North Carolina found a litter of puppies on their doorstep, along with a heartbreaking, yet inspiring note. The note, written by an anonymous man who was homeless, explained that the puppies’ mother was a stray whom he had helped feed despite his own hardships. The mama dog sadly passed away, and the man knew she’d left behind young pups somewhere. Wanting them to have the best chance at loving homes, this compassionate man decided to find the puppies and bring them to the shelter. And thanks to his kindness, the pups now have a bright future.

Steven Murrow of Tesla Tree Service in New Jersey doesn’t just use his tree-climbing skills to keep the flora beautiful; he also helps the fauna. Steven has rescued more than 100 cats (and counting) who were stuck in trees, sometimes traveling over an hour away for an animal rescue call. He always provides this service free of charge, and if the cat doesn’t have a family, he uses his social network to help connect the feline with a foster home or rescue organization. Through his work, Steven hopes to inspire people to be kind and help others — especially animals in need.

This article was originally published in the September/October 2024 issue of Best Friends magazine. Want more good news? Become a member and get stories like this six times a year.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.