Inspiring tales of teamwork saving pets’ lives

Our network partners are making a difference every single day for animals in so many ways. With partners in all 50 states, it only makes sense that there’s a lot of good news to share. Here are a few highlights from around the country. Learn more about these incredible groups at bestfriends.org/network-partners.

After the Lahaina wildfire devastated west Maui, Hawaii, in August 2023, the Maui Humane Society ended up caring for nearly 200 permanently displaced community cats. A local partner, Lanai Cat Sanctuary, offered to take in the cats, but first they needed to make room by moving out 50 social cats in their care. That’s when Humane Society Silicon Valley stepped in, agreeing to take Lanai’s 50 cats. Greater Good Charities coordinated the cats’ flight from Maui to the San Francisco Bay Area. Lanai Cat Sanctuary then accepted the 200 cats from Maui Humane who were displaced by the fire.

Happy Cats Haven in Manitou Springs, Colorado, received a $5,000 grant from Best Friends, and all the shelter had to do to be eligible was become a Best Friends Network Partner and share its data in Shelter Pet Data Alliance, our shelter data analytics platform. Thanks to the grant, Happy Cats Haven could help cats like Beefcake, who had myriad health issues, including an upper respiratory infection, severe dental problems, and a damaged eye. Beefcake has since been adopted and is now living happily with his new human.

The goal of the annual Mighty Mutt Makeover, a partnership between the Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) and Lucky Dog Training, is to help long-term dogs in the shelter get adopted. HSNT dogs are matched with volunteer trainers who foster the pups for four weeks, working with them on a variety of behaviors. Carlos, a dog who had been at HSNT for more than a year, had developed anxiety and kennel stress. During training, he learned how to be part of a family, leading to his adoption. At the event showcasing the dogs’ new skills, not one participating dog went back to the shelter. Six of the 10 dogs were adopted, while the rest continued to be fostered by their trainers.

With its Puppy Parties, Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Fairfax Station, Virginia, combines fundraising with having fun and socializing puppies. For a donation of $415 to $550, community members can book a Puppy Party. A Homeward Trails representative brings two or more puppies to snuggle with people attending children’s birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, graduations, anniversaries, or corporate events. In 2023 alone, Puppy Parties generated over $30,000 for the Homeward Trails Medical Fund, ensuring that many more animals receive the care they need.

After two years at Lexington Humane Society in Kentucky, a dog named Eminem finally found a loving home. A father and son from Lexington, South Carolina, fell in love with Eminem online, mistakenly thinking he was in a shelter in their hometown. When they learned that Eminem was actually in Kentucky, they were still interested in adopting the pup, so they drove across several states to meet him. The visit was a success, and Eminem is now settled in his new home, enjoying a big backyard, lots of toys, and endless affection.

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.