Meeting the animals where they are

After her many trips to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Joan Evans decided that winter is her favorite season to visit. The paths are quieter, the crowds thinner, the air crisper, and the canyons glisten in the snow. It’s in these quieter times that Joan gravitates toward the animals who need her the most — the shy ones tucked into corners, unsure whom to trust.

“We have to meet them where they are,” Joan says. “We have to learn where they are coming from and accept them for who they are, showing them respect and giving them space when they need it.”

That philosophy reflects her love for animals and how she’s chosen to care for them — with a generous commitment that will offer them love and healing long into the future.

During her long career in both education and human resources, Joan chose to save and invest carefully, and ultimately she decided to include Best Friends in her estate plan through a legacy gift to the animals.

“We work hard all our lives,” she says. “It’s nice to know that the wonderful work of Best Friends will continue, certainly in part because of the gifts you leave.” For Joan, the decision was practical and deeply personal.

She says, “I want a continuation of my love for the animals, and a gift to Best Friends is the best way to do that. As we go through life, we sometimes think, ‘What is my purpose?’ I truly believe that mine is to take care of the animals.”

Joan’s love for animals began early, shaped by her mother’s passion for animal welfare. “My mom made me aware of the responsibility we have for the animals,” Joan recalls. “They rely on us not just for day-to-day care but for patience, respect, understanding, and advocacy.”

It wasn’t until the late 1990s, however, when Joan was introduced to Best Friends Animal Society that she became a Best Friends member and started learning more about the no-kill movement. And when she first visited the Sanctuary in 2002, that was when everything clicked for her.

“It blew my mind and changed my life,” she says. “I was so amazed at the love felt there for the animals. The animals always come first — always. I realized there is a whole community of like-minded people working toward a no-kill goal, and it was an incredible experience.”

Over the following years, Joan welcomed more than a dozen rescued cats into her home, and she even began volunteering with Fearless Kitty Rescue, a Best Friends Network Partner, helping with caregiving and community cat initiatives. In recent years, Joan has focused much of her volunteer time as a socializer, working with shy or traumatized cats.

“We have to learn where they’re coming from — what makes them tick,” Joan explains. “We have to give them the space when they need it. I think Best Friends has been instrumental about teaching the world those concepts.”

For Joan, Best Friends is more than a place — it’s a voice.

“Best Friends speaks for the animals who cannot speak for themselves,” she says. “There are many organizations that do wonderful work helping people, but far fewer focus on animals. Best Friends’ leadership in the no-kill movement has been so important on getting the word out that we need to care for the animals.”

During her most recent visit to the Sanctuary, Joan once again sought out the quieter areas — spending time with shy cats, offering gentle companionship and lending a hand wherever help was needed. Her presence truly reflects the care and quiet respect every animal deserves.

It’s how Joan has always shown up — with compassion and patience, meeting animals exactly where they are.