Sanctuary Stories

Amy holding the orange kitten in the plane

Swift action saves pets in shelter from raging wildfire

When a wildfire in New Mexico threatened local animal shelters, Best Friends and area animal welfare organizations teamed up to save lives.
Working together to save lives
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Kody the dog in her wheelchair next to Ranko Fukuda

Pup wheels her way right into adopter’s heart

Kody didn’t let an injury that left her hind end paralyzed slow her roll or keep her from finding love. Now she’s zooming around in a home of her own.
Special home for special-needs dog
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Edamommy the mama cat in a carrier with her kittens

Teamwork, tenacity, and an epic road trip save 36 cats

Planes, vans, serenading cats, and kitten stowaways highlight a cross-country trip to help a shelter manage a potentially deadly disease outbreak.
Lifesaving roadtrip
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Smiling volunteer from the MenHealing group with a goat

Finding healing through kindness to animals

Group's volunteer visits to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary have a therapeutic effect for both the animals and the people.
Service work helps heal animals and people
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J.J. McMahon and Whitey the dog in front of a metal sculpture of a dog at the Roadhouse

Adventurous dog helps heal adopter’s broken heart

When J.J. McMahon was looking for a furry friend and adventure buddy, he adopted Whitey from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. He found so much more.
Now a star is born
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The Williams family outside in Angels Canyon in front of a blue sky

Kids pay it forward to the animals

This dynamic young duo goes the extra mile to save animals through volunteering, donations, taking care of community cats, and more.
Their experience of a lifetime
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Eugene and Alice the cats snuggling with each other

Faces of No-Kill: 71 cats find love and healing

Cats from an overcrowded home started off timid at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, but they've learned to embrace love (and treats) from human friends.
See them now
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Volunteer Bill Coaker holding Rio the cat

Volunteer’s devotion to animals brings kindness to all

A volunteer’s 40th visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary highlights his dedication to cats with special needs and the people who care for them.
What brings him back
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Slim the dog running with a rope toy in his mouth

Flyball helps dog go from shy to super-fly

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, this once-shy dog learned new skills to become the fun-loving, confident pup he was always meant to be.
Harnessing the power of play
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Brook the dog wearing a collar and tag

Faces of No-Kill: Pup steals his way into hearts and home

Call 911: Someone stole another heart — a furry, canine someone who didn’t let a serious medical condition get in the way of charming everyone he met.
Routine leads to his best life
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Pumpkin the cat wearing a harness and lying next to some plants in the greenhouse

Senior kitty finds his Zen among the plants

When Pumpkin, one of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s most beloved cats, needed a temporary home, an unusual, yet fitting location cropped up.
Now he's supervising the landscaping team
Best Friends Magazine
The two owlets being fed with an adult owl puppet beside them

Baby barn owls survive accidental road trip

When a hay truck accidentally loaded a nest of hatching owl eggs, Wild Friends staff feared the babies wouldn’t survive. Then something amazing happened.
Owlets have remarkable recovery
Best Friends Magazine
Multicolored cat with a green and white bed behind her

Endearing pet adoption updates to warm your heart

Check out kitty grooming contests, a lasagna-stealing cat, an adventure-loving pup, and a big-hearted dog who loves hugs.
Read their updates
Best Friends Magazine
Child's drawing of Adored the cat with an actual photo of Adored

Kids create works of heart to find pets homes

One woman’s passion project has drawn attention to hundreds of homeless animals across the country, all while teaching children about pet adoption.
See their works of art
Best Friends Magazine
Group of people with some puppies outside one of the buildings in Cat World

Unexpected guests bunk at Cat World

How 14 puppies ended up (temporarily) at the part of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary where cats usually rule.
A fun experience for everyone
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