Best Friends Network Partners step up big for pets
At any moment, a pet in need could come along, and these animal shelters and rescue groups in the Best Friends Network are always ready to help.
Happily reunited
When Gabby, a long-haired tabby cat, arrived at Avery Humane Society in North Carolina, the staff scanned her for a microchip. After finding a chip, they tracked down her family — and were astounded to learn that Gabby had been missing since September 2024. The beautiful kitty had become separated from her family during Hurricane Helene. Now she’s back where she belongs: with the people who love her.
Getting back on his feet
William’s back legs didn’t work at all when the dog ended up at Morgan County Animal Control in Alabama. He would often walk, amazingly, only on his front legs. A rescue group called A New Leash on Life took over his care, learning that William had suffered a fractured spine. With the help of a foster family, physical therapy, and water therapy, William recovered from his injury and is now romping around using all four of his legs.
Nine lives
Butters is a 5-year-old cat who was injured in a fire in the San Francisco Bay Area, along with 11 other pets. After the fire department rescued the animals, Hayward Animal Shelter took them in. That’s when the Nine Lives Foundation stepped up to help Butters get the extensive medical care he needed to recover from his burns, including chest X-rays, IV fluids, and multiple procedures to clean his wounds. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, he made a full recovery.
Tooth fairy to the rescue
Some people will do anything to help homeless pets. Edgar Nolasco, who oversees Santa Clara Animal Services in California, promised he would dress up as the tooth fairy if the shelter’s staff raised enough money to buy the dental X-ray machine the animals needed. Donors loved it. They hit their goal. And Edgar (who is a mixed martial arts fighter in his spare time) held up his end of the agreement, tutu and all.
From heartbreak to hero service dogs
After their person passed away, Legolas, Strider, and Gimli (named after Lord of the Rings characters) were brought to a shelter. Animal Humane New Mexico then took the three scared and skittish dogs into their care, providing daily behavior support to build their confidence and skills. They did so well in the program that Strider was adopted into a new loving home, and Legolas and Gimli were chosen to train as service animals for veterans living with PTSD and/or traumatic brain injury.
This article was originally published in the July/August 2026 issue of Best Friends magazine. Want more good news? Become a member and get stories like this six times a year.
Let's make every shelter and every community no-kill
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.
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