Florida Stories

Jonathan Ramirez next to his mural of a dog with the word, Adopt

One special dog inspired this artist to give back

Adoption gave a dog named Russell a second chance, but it also inspired his adopte...
Artist creates mural at Florida shelter
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Kiwi the tabby cat

Cat missing for 19 months reunited with family

Lourdes Ortiz was distraught when her cat, Kiwi, went missing, but a microchip bro...
Now she's back in loving arms
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Person petting a happy dog wearing a vest

How rescue groups and shelters save more pets together

Across the country, animal shelters rely on rescue groups to help them save more l...
Partnerships saves lives
Best Friends Magazine
Alex Mestres volunteering by bringing meals to pets at Best Friends in Los Angeles

Volunteers power efforts to help pets amid L.A. fires

Best Friends volunteers from coast to coast are using their time and talents in so...
People help in California and from afar
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Shepherd dog with a smiling animal control officer

Animal shelters embrace no-kill philosophy

A mindset to save lives means large animal shelters are maintaining no-kill even w...
They’ve maintained no-kill despite challenges
Best Friends Magazine
Line of pet crates containing animals next to an airplane and animal control vehicles

Pets flown from hurricane-damaged Florida get new start

Best Friends has teamed up with other animal welfare groups to arrange transportat...
Giving dogs and cats a fresh start
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Person with a dog with a downed tree in Florida after Hurricane Milton

Best Friends' lifesaving work in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton

A summary of our crisis response over the past three weeks
Helping shelters and communities in need
Julie Castle Blog
Person with a brown dog outside Pinellas County Animal Services following Hurricane Milton

Love of pets unites helpers in hurricane aftermath

Best Friends team members headed to Florida to provide relief to animal shelter st...
Offering selfless service to people and pets
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Person removing a large crate from a transport van

Pets get lifesaving lifts out of Hurricane Milton’s path

When Pinellas County Animal Services in Florida needed help moving animals prior t...
Some instant connections were made
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Emilie and Haley holding a litter of kittens

Helping hands for pets in 2 Florida shelters

Respite for animal shelter staff who have been working nonstop to care for pets im...
Read about this much-needed assistance
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Person holding a puppy

Saving dogs and cats caught in Hurricane Helene’s wake

Best Friends is in the Southeast to help animal shelters cope with unprecedented c...
Helping animal shelters with needs and transports
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Officer Thomas Stanfield holding the rescued black kitten in the squad car

Making the world better through kindness toward animals

From a community coming together to find a missing dog to a tree trimmer who rescu...
Read their stories
Best Friends Magazine
Logan and Doug the dogs lying next to each other on a raised bed outside

Pit bull terriers living the good life in Miami

With the lifting of a 33-year pit bull ban last fall, more dogs are getting second...
New lives and opportunities available now
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Mama the dog with a smiling woman

A new life for dogs rescued from dogfighting

29 dogs put cruelty in the past and begin new lives after being saved in South Car...
Helping the underdogs
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Face of Pepperoni, a medium-hair calico cat

Terrific tales from animal shelters across the country

Looking for something to make you smile? These aww-inspiring stories from Best Fri...
Read their good news
Best Friends Magazine