National Pet Month events send over 400 pets home

The Reyes family has always had dogs in their home but had never adopted one. When they heard about the joint Walmart and Best Friends National Pet Month pet adoption event in Rogers, Arkansas, they knew it was time. Their son, Riah, had just turned 3, and they wanted a puppy for him to grow up with.

“Adopting feels better than buying a puppy (from a breeder) when there’s so many dogs just sitting in shelters and waiting for a home,” mom Leah said while wrangling her toddler and Flare, their new puppy, who’s equally wriggly. “I’m so looking forward to letting them go outside and play and run around to help Riah get his energy out. And for them to be best friends.”

Every May during National Pet Month, people celebrate the joy that pets bring to our lives. Last year, Best Friends partnered with Walmart for a handful of National Pet Month events across the country. The goal: to invite people in and make adoption easy and accessible.

It went so well and helped so many pets go home in a single day that this year it grew into something much bigger — with love-filled adoption pop-up events and festivals in 20 communities across the country. Thousands of people showed up to adopt more than 400 cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens from Best Friends and local Best Friends Network Partners.

Families find furry feline love

Another heartwarming story came from Sterling Heights, Michigan, where Walmart police officer Autumn Fettig stopped by a Best Friends and Walmart adoption event during her shift “just to say hello.” She wasn’t planning to adopt — until she saw Cookie Dough, an 8-month-old puppy from the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society, a Best Friends Network Partner. One look at his cute pink nose and brown spots and Autumn was sold. By the end of Autumn’s shift, Cookie Dough was officially “taken into custody” and headed home.

With Walmart’s presence in nearly every community and most animal shelters located just a short trip from a Walmart store, these events were a great way to bring adoptable pets directly to the people who could change their lives.

All adoption fees were covered, either by Walmart and Blue Buffalo or through Best Friends Network Partners. In addition, Blue Buffalo and Walmart took care of the adoption fees at Best Friends Pet Adoption Centers across the country for the entire month of May, encouraging even more people to adopt a pet.

Aisles of smiles: Hundreds of pets adopted at Walmart events

It wasn’t just about these happy, heartwarming events. The partnership was supported by 18 generous Walmart suppliers who helped create a month-long celebration of pets, including in‑store features, giveaways, and donations triggered by everyday purchases. And for pets like Flare and Cookie Dough, this nationwide collaboration truly changed everything. One moment of connection, one family saying yes, and a whole new chapter begins. That’s the magic of National Pet Month — thousands of small, hopeful moments adding up to real lifesaving.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. 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.