Illinois Stories

Liz and Erica, with one holding a cat

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

How Chicagoans are stepping up for community cats
Cats in Action works to support and create community cat programs in the Windy City
Julie Castle Blog
Dr. Lisa Williams with a feline patient in the mobile spay/neuter trailer

Teaming up to revive an Illinois community cat program

Coles County embraces a new program to spay and neuter community cats with support from a Best Friends grant.
Mobile clinic has been a game changer
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Person holding a litter of brown puppies in her arms

The making of an animal shelter super mentor

A small, scrappy shelter in the Midwest is setting the bar for no-kill mentorship.
These partnerships save lives
Best Friends Magazine
Smiling person behind an aging black and white pit-bull-type dog who is smiling

Insuring dog lovers

New laws protect people in Illinois from being denied homeowners or renters insurance because of their dog’s breed.
Learn more
Best Friends Magazine
Smiling person wearing winter clothing happily hugging a tabby cat

Key to sending pets home is in the numbers

How South Suburban Humane Society used information from Best Friends’ Shelter Pet Data Alliance platform and a $100,000 grant to help more pets get adopted
They're turning data into action
Best Friends Magazine
Two people sitting on a blue couch petting a large white dog

Grant helps save more dogs in Chicago shelters

One Tail at a Time puts Rachael Ray Save Them All Grant to good use to support dogs from Chicago animal shelter.
They're thinking outside of the box
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Community service officer Sean Bus giving a thumbs up sign with Wilson the pug

The right tool reunites lost pug with family

The day after officer Sean Bus received a microchip scanner, he put it straight to use.
Wilson's now reunited with his family
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 animal stories will surely brighten your day.
See their good news
Best Friends Magazine
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
Rain the dog lying on a couch upside-down next to a person petting her and working on a laptop

Meet pets rescued from Hurricane Ian

Here are just a few of the more than 370 cats and dogs Best Friends has moved out of Florida since Hurricane Ian hit.
Read their stories
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Pickle the puppy outside on some grass

Two chance meetings lead to a new life for a sweet puppy

Amid the bustling New York City streets, a curious puppy makes a connection with an adopter following not just one, but two chance meetings.
Read how coincidental meetings lead to adoption
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Family of three (including a toddler) looking to adopt a kitten

Advocacy and action make 2021 a banner year for lifesaving

Looking back on an incredible year of driving positive change for cats, dogs and the people who love them
See legislative wins
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