Operation Paws for Homes

Operation Paws for Homes is a partner of Best Friends, working together to save the lives of dogs and cats in communities like yours across the country

The Best Friends Network is made up of thousands of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations, and other animal welfare groups — all working to save the lives of dogs and cats in communities like yours across the country.

From Operation Paws for Homes

Operation Paws for Homes, Inc. rescues dogs of all breeds and ages from high-kill shelters reducing the numbers being euthanized daily.WE provide foster homes where they can get the love and attention needed before finding their forever homes.Our organization provides pet adoption services in Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland and part of Southern Pennsylvania.Operation Paws for Homes, a 503(c)3 organization, is 100% donor funded and could not save these dogs and fulfill their dreams of being united with their forever families without the dedication of our incredible adopters, fosters, donors and volunteers.Sadly, without your help, all of these adoptable animals would face almost certain euthanasia; usually within days or hours of arriving at the shelter.Each year we take in hundreds of wonderful animals who were left at shelters by no fault of their own.

Alexandria, VA 22309-8813
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How is your community doing when it comes to lifesaving? 

Our partners support each other and inspire their own communities to increase lifesaving of dogs and cats across the country.

Every partner has one common goal: to save the lives of homeless pets.

How Is Your Community Doing?

Animals in Virginia need your help

You can make a world of difference in the lives of cats and dogs in your community when you work with Operation Paws for Homes and Best Friends to support homeless pets and save more lives.

woman smiling with a dog

Adopt a pet

When you adopt a homeless dog or cat you’re saving the life of a loving and loyal animal. You’re also making space for other pets to find families of their own.
Adopt a Pet
woman holding two kittens

Foster a pet

Fostering a pet is a short-term commitment with long-term impact. By opening your home to a dog or cat for even a few days, you can save lives.
Foster a Pet

Heartwarming stories from our partners

Just like Operation Paws for Homes, shelters and rescue groups around the country are saving the lives of homeless cats and dogs. Read more about their lifesaving work. 
Selfie of Kylie LaVigne hugging Koda the dog

Spirited stray dog loses leg but gains a new home

When the word went out that Koda needed a foster home following surgery, Kylie volunteered and, as it turns out, brought the boy home for good.
Now they're a happy family
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Person at eye level with an orange tabby cat

New programs help save more dogs and cats in Nebraska

Best Friends and Nebraska Humane Society are working together on programs and strategies at the shelter that have had a profound impact on lifesaving.
They now hope to be a guiding light to other organizations
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Best Friends marketing intern Jazmin Aguilar holding a dog wearing a pink Adopt Me bandanna

Intern makes lasting impact for Brownsville pets

Through her shelter marketing internship with Best Friends, Jazmin is helping homeless pets, raising awareness, and setting herself up for future success.
Residents encouraged to get involved
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Who we are

Best Friends Animal Society  works alongside thousands of animal shelters, rescue groups, and other animal welfare organizations to save the lives of cats and dogs across the country and to make the entire country no-kill by 2025.

The Best Friends Network is comprised of thousands of animal welfare groups from every single state, all working to save the lives of pets in their own communities.

Ranging from animal shelters and rescue groups to spay/neuter and trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) organizations, they collaborate with Best Friends to save even more lives in every corner of the country.

Best Friends provides marketing help, fundraising events, webinars, grants, and other resources so that, together, we can Save Them All.

Interested in becoming a partner? Visit bestfriends.org/network »