California Stories

Smiling person standing with two dogs outside

Animal shelters work smarter to save more lives

How Best Friends shelter assessments help organizations move closer to no-kill 
See how small changes solve big issues
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Smiling red heeler type dog wearing a collar

Awesome updates from Best Friends Network Partners

These stories about dogs, cats, and a unicorn (yes, you read that right) are sure to lift your spirits.
See how Network partners are making a difference
Best Friends Magazine
Dilute calico on a wooden shelf

Random acts of kindness toward animals

Get ready to smile (and maybe have a few tissues handy) because these stories are sure to get tails wagging and purrs rumbling.
See their good news
Best Friends Magazine
Karla and Scott Hanley sitting next to Salem the dog

Meet two heroes for dogs

Newborn puppy Rosie is thriving today, and she’s not the first life Karla and Scott Hanley have helped save.
Read about their lifesaving efforts
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Volunteer Cathy Berry wearing a mask and holding an orange tabby kitten

A cat lover’s legacy

We’ve said goodbye to a beloved volunteer, but the impact she made endures.
Honoring Cathy Berry and her impact
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Peter the dog with his new family (including two other dogs), all on a front porch of a home

Excellent epilogue to a canine cliffhanger

After a harrowing adventure that left him stranded on a cliffside in the desert, Peter is now snuggling up and settling in with his new family.
Now he's part of the pack
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Littles the cat lying in a kennel

Shy cat finds the confidence to climb higher

After being found scared and disheveled in a home with too many cats, Littles has become one courageous and happy cat.
How she overcame her fears
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Gray tabby cat lying on a leopard print blanket in front of an orange wall

5 sweet animal stories for the new year

Get 2023 off to an uplifting and inspiring start with these stories about people doing amazing things for animals.
Read the heartwarming tales
Best Friends Magazine
Collage of two photos - one of Harmony and one of Maui

A friendship story: Two cats together through thick and thin

Mia and Harmony share a unique and similar history, and today they’re thriving in their new home.
A new home for both
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Captain the dog next to Jill Shaw, who is looking at him, smiling and petting him

Faith leads a dog home

Captain was returned from every home he had and diagnosed with two heart conditions and cancer. But thanks to inspiration from Best Friends co-founder Faith Maloney, he’s now home for good.
Faith and the universe guide adoption
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Bud the dog with his two adopters sitting on the couch behind him

From underdog to super hero: Bud saves the day

When a fire threatened a dense southern California neighborhood, Bud the wonder dog awakened his people who called 911.
Meet the local celebrity
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Hollywood the dog sitting on an orange chair next to a stuffed toy

Channeling a dog’s boundless energy into a new home

Hollywood was stressed out and struggling when he lost his home, but a team of people at Best Friends helped him find joy again, as well as an adopter.
Memories old and new
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Hulk the dog lying on a wooden bench, smiling

Dog named Hulk lands a home with a bodybuilder

Hulk is big and exuberant enough to easily knock people over, but now his days are filled with exercise, playtime and naps in his new home.
Big dog, big love
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Mac the brindle dog being reunited with is family at Fresno Humane Animal Services

Fresh start for pets in Fresno

City takes on the goal to save more animals
Read about their lifesaving grant
Best Friends Magazine
Tortoiseshell cat lying on a pillow

5 faith-restoring animal stories

Need a positivity pick-me-up? Look no further because these positively uplifting animal stories will surely brighten your day.
See their good news
Best Friends Magazine