California Stories

Erin Yarbrough with Sonny the dog snuggled in her arms next to a stuffed toy

Fostering a dog to heal a grieving heart

In the midst of the L.A. fires, Erin’s beloved canine companion passed away, but h...
Foster dog is helping fill the hole in her heart
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Stella the dog outside on a leash

Amid fires, CA pets start new lives in Salt Lake City

Although the wildfires are local to Los Angeles, the disaster is inspiring action ...
People step up to answer the call
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Line of carriers containing animals from Los Angles during the wildfires in front of the transport airplane

Fires inspire support for pets in L.A. shelters

Best Friends is moving hundreds of adoptable dogs and cats out of area animal shel...
Best Friends and our partners take in adoptable pets from L.A.
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Profile of Clementine the cat, showing her broken jaw

Adoptable pets from L.A. wildfires arrive in Utah

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary takes in dogs and cats from impacted shelters in the...
Meet some of the rescued pets
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NKLA black and white billboard featuring Jewell the dog

A Love Letter to Los Angeles

We are doing all we can to help you through these wildfires....
Julie's heartfelt tribute to L.A.
Julie Castle Blog
Two people lifting a large crate containing a dog as part of a transport during the Los Angeles wildfires

Best Friends mobilizes to save pets from L.A. wildfires

Amid the worst natural disaster in Los Angeles history, Best Friends is helping do...
Despite personal losses, people rally for animals
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Jaime Gallardo lying on the floor with Dublin the dog

Magical fresh start for senior dog

A man signed up to foster because his 17-year-old dog passed away and he missed th...
See him in action
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Betty the dog sitting in a car seat wearing pearls

Senior dog regains pep in her step

Sweet Betty recovered from surgery and is thriving in her new home despite a cance...
Senior dog now thrives
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Profile of two shepherd-type dogs.

'Let’s stop killing animals in shelters and get more of them adopted out'

Los Angeles Times editorial board calls out the conditions and operations at Los A...
Support the pets of Los Angeles
Julie Castle Blog
Three happy people posing with a calico cat and a Best Friends no-kill 2023 shelter trophy

New data shows encouraging trend for pets in shelters

Monthly data from nearly 800 animal shelters from across the U.S. shows the first ...
Positive momentum for shelter lifesaving
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Dog with two different colored eyes and licking his lips in a home environment holding a toy ball

Lack of funding and lifesaving structure is costing lives at LAAS

Increased deaths and missed opportunities demand accountability and action....
Demand change now
Julie Castle Blog
Person holding a Ryan Reynolds face on a stick with the cat carrier holding the cat she'd adopted

Pets named Ryan Reynolds go home during birthday bash

Playfully trolling an A-list celebrity for his birthday and saving lives? Best Fri...
A birthday to remember
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Person holding a puppy at the Los Angeles Super Adoption while another person behind them holds a sign that says I adopted my best friend

Empty trucks return to shelters after Best Friends Super Adoption

More than 460 dogs and cats were saved in Los Angeles....
Proof that collaboration works for all concerned
Julie Castle Blog
Couple holding a cat carrier containing the cat they adopted in front of the Rose Bowl

Stars align to send 400 pets home at L.A. super adoption

The Best Friends event brought together more than 5,000 attendees and 15 animal sh...
See some of the happy new families
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Athena holding a smiling Gremlin the dog in her lap

From shy to safe: Dog with megawatt smile goes home

Gremlin needed a friend to help calm his nerves, which ended up leading to the mat...
Now he's all smiles
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