California Stories

Brown tabby cat in a dark kennel

Tales of random acts of kindness toward animals

From a community that rallied for an ailing cat to a man who jumped in frigid water to help a dog and his human, these stories will inspire you.
See how they make a difference
Best Friends Magazine
Moose the dog lying on a gray cushion with a toy between his front legs

The sixth time’s the charm for an energetic dog

Moose’s energy and anxiety proved too much for most people to handle, but today he’s in a home where he’s flourishing.
Now he's flourishing
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Buddy the brown Chihuahua mix standing outside

Anxious dog goes home with his kindred spirit

Buddy had a strict no-touch policy that couldn’t be broken — until he met his human counterpart.
Now they sleep together every night
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Volunteer Cheryl Baker smiling and holding a gray and white kitten

Cat-loving L.A. volunteer donates over 5,000 hours

When Cheryl Baker and her husband, Paul, stopped for a tour while vacationing in Utah, little did they know that years later they would be devoted Best Friends volunteers.
She does a little of everything, including fostering
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Smiling person scratching the chin of a brown and white dog

The new face of animal services in Fresno

Best Friends embed program assists Fresno Humane Animal Services in setting up a city animal services program.
See how the animals and people benefit
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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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