California Stories

Tina Turner the dog, lying on the floor, being hugged by a person

Foster home is simply the best for mama dog and pups

What’s love got to do with it? How a dog named Tina Turner and her puppies were a case of foster love at first sight for an 11-year-old girl.
She now has a new name and home
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Spots the dog lying on the floor with eyes closed and mouth open smiling with Ellie behind him petting his chest

Senior dog finds love on the beaches of California

Spots came to Best Friends with an aggressive form of cancer and captured the heart of his foster person.
Read about their deep connection
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Rainbow the dog, smiling with mouth open

Faces of No-Kill: Solutions for dog with special needs

From a neurological condition and seizures to a penchant for pebbles, Rainbow has a lot going on — but her main concern is having fun with friends.
Her personality now shines
Best Friends Magazine
Gilda the dog on a couch

Faces of No-Kill: Pup trades farm life for city lights

Gilda, a dog with a heart of gold, finds her spot on the couch with her new family.
She's transitioned well
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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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