California Stories

Franklin and Nigel the cats lying down on the ground close to each other in their shop

Adopted cats call a vintage shop their new home

How a precocious pair of cats went from homeless to living the good life in their unconventional new digs
Now they share an important role
Best Friends Magazine
Dilute tortoiseshell community cat with tipped ear in front of a vehicle

Community cats: The Tweety vs. Sylvester debate

No-kill, TNVR, and finding common ground
Response to article in The New Yorker
Julie Castle Blog
Staff from the Inyo County Animal Shelter outside with a couple dogs

Helping a small rural animal shelter sustain no-kill

In Inyo County, California, ninth largest county in the nation, a small animal shelter is reorganizing for continued success.
Learn what they're doing
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Vera the dog next to a smiling person who has both hands affectionately holding her

Faces of No-Kill: Saving a dog with a sensitive soul

Vera went from a busy shelter to a charmed life in her new home.
Now she's a cherished member of the family
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Pawrie the French bulldog on a Home Sweet Home doormat

French bulldog goes from homeless to home

Pawrie the Frenchie came from a shelter to Best Friends with multiple medical issues, but a loving foster family helped him on his way to a new life.
It was love at first sight
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Hanjae the dog with Caroline Moss and Jeanhee Yu

A senior dog’s journey home

Hanjae was at a shelter with a life-threatening medical condition. Today she’s thriving in her new home.
Cat volunteer brings home a dog
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Person sitting on the grass petting a small black and white dog

Hundreds of pets go home from L.A. super adoption

Two days of adoptions in a park with shelters and rescue groups leads to more than 400 homeless dogs and cats saved.
Read about it
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Hand petting the top of the head of a smiling orange tabby cat

1,000 adoptable dogs and cats in a park: The return of Best Friends Super Adoption

Let’s get these pets adopted, Los Angeles.
Find your new best friend
Julie Castle Blog
Black dog outside on leaf-covered grass

Making a difference through kindness to animals

From a community cat hero to a puppy parade, these stories of kindness toward animals will warm your heart.
Read for a smile
Best Friends Magazine
Rico the dog, sitting outside and smiling

Skinny dog blossoms in foster home

Rico was stressed and kept dropping weight, but a loving foster home was just what the doctor ordered to help him bulk up and feel safe.
Read how things turned around for him
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Smiling couple holding a puppy who they adopted at the NKLA Super Adoption

Coming soon: New homes for pets in L.A.

Around 25 animal welfare organizations will come together at the Best Friends Super Adoption on November 4-5 at Los Angeles State Historic Park.
Celebrate lifesaving in a big way
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Pickle and Chip the kittens sitting next to each other on a tiny pink couch

Faces of No-Kill: Kittens heal from contagious condition

All you need is a bathtub and an open mind: how Best Friends cat expert Samantha Bell nursed kittens with sarcoptic mange back to health.
Learn how to step up
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Turtle the kitten wearing her protective helmet

Faces of No-Kill: Kitten with serious head wound gets custom helmet

Shelter collaboration, community support, and TLC help Turtle the kitten survive and thrive.
Joint effort helps save special kitten
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Jax the dog in a person's lap while being cradled in her arms

Faces of No-Kill: A scared dog learns to trust

With time, patience, and TLC, Jax went from a fearful dog who needed a home to a happy pup who’s blossoming with his new person.
Read how a special friendship formed
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Black and white dog on a leash with a person whose hand is on his back

Bringing joy through random acts of kindness to animals

People who show kindness to cats and dogs (and geese and octopuses, too) are all around us. These stories are proof.
Read for a smile
Best Friends Magazine