California Stories

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 d...
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 ...
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 condition...
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 do...
Meet the local celebrity
Best Friends Magazine
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 peo...
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...
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 a...
See their good news
Best Friends Magazine
HarlieQ and Nicholas the kittens lying next to each other

Wobbly kitten is steadfast lover of life

Nothing (and certainly not cerebellar hypoplasia) stops Harlie Q. and fellow kitte...
Read their story
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Large black and white pit bull type dog smiling and out on a leashed walk

10 advocacy wins for the animals

Good news for dogs and cats across the country.
See some 2022 highlights
Best Friends Magazine
Volunteer Heather Mahood holding a tabby and white cat in front of kennels

Rock star volunteer helps hundreds of cats

Volunteer Heather Mahood, who helps the tiniest kittens and wisest senior felines,...
Learn more about her
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Lisette the cat in a kennel lying on a colorful matt

Adopters see shy black cat for the rare pearl she is

What does a shy, middle-aged, jet-black female cat in Los Angeles have in common w...
Read about this rare gem's journey
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Chris Alton sitting next to a dog in their RV

Couple converts RV into foster pet crash pad

Cat’s fear of dogs prompts Los Angeles family to get creative in order to continue...
Read about this fostering innovation
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Yogi the dog with is smiling person

7 happy stories from national pet adoption weekend

Best Friends-sponsored National Adoption Weekend results in thousands of adoptions...
Meet the happy families
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Ginny and Kenny Popvich with posing on a loveseat with a dog

Mother and son help dogs get adopted, one hike at a time

Volunteers Ginny and Kenny Popovich have been hitting the trails with dogs from Be...
Learn why they volunteer
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