Utah Stories

Pancake the tortoiseshell cat lying in a bed

Drawn to adopt a cat with special needs

Pancake needs special care due to her incontinence, but Dakota doesn't mind. In fact, it's the reason she decided to adopt her.
See how she fits in
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Selfie of Elton the orange tabby cat and Aubrey Tsosie

Making every moment count for a cat in hospice care

Aubrey Tsosie gave Elton the time of his life, and he changed hers in the process.
See how he lived his best life
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Jean Paul the cream tabby kitten

Swift action saves young kitten’s life

Life is grand today for Jean Paul, a ginger kitten who came to Best Friends in need of a miracle.
See him recover
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Louis the cat sleeping on his side with a person's hand petting him

Falling in love with cats

Sara had only had dogs, but an orange cat named Louis is showing her how much fun it can be to share a home with a cat.
See Louis now
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Big Papa the cat on a blue chair with a young volunteer wearing a hat

71 cats arrive to safety at Best Friends

Cats and kittens get veterinary care and visits from Best Friends staff and volunteers to help them into the next phase of their lives.
See how they're settling in
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Person running the Grand to Grand Ultra

Runners accept ‘ultra’ challenge to save dogs and cats

To this trio of animal lovers, raising funds for Best Friends by running the Grand to Grand Ultra will be just as important as finishing the race.
Support their efforts
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Mr. Truffles the cat lying on a cushion

Senior cat is love at first sight

A longtime dog lover finds joy and comfort from adopting a senior feline who needed the same from him.
Read how Mr. Truffles brings serenity to his new home
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Steve Pack with kittens on his shoulder and around him

How 2 tiny kittens inspired a life of volunteerism

After Steve Pack’s first foray into the world of trap-neuter-vaccinate-return, he was hooked.
Learn what volunteering means to him
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Nova the dog with her family

Older dog gets new lease on life

These days Nova hikes mountains and provides comfort at a hospital with her person.
Now she's a star
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Johnny the little tabby kitten

Kitten comes back from the brink

Johnny was unresponsive when he arrived at Best Friends, but now he’s either playing or cuddling with his feline BFF.
Watch the video
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Bunny the puppy in her foster home

First-time dog foster volunteer helps puppy heal

An energetic puppy with a broken leg receives crate rest and lots of love in her foster home.
Bunny gets the care she needed
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Tinker Toy the kitten lying on a rainbow colored blanket with paw prints

Brave kitten’s big new life

Tinker Toy came to Best Friends with chronic fractures in both front legs, but today she’s all play and love.
See her overcome adversity
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Porcini hte black and white cat sitting on a wood floor

Cat goes from skinny and itchy to healthy at home

Porcini looked and felt terrible, but with veterinary care and diligent TLC from a foster volunteer, he’s now living his best life.
Watch his journey
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Honey and Hambone the dogs looking at each other nose-to-nose

Timid dog and her new family help each other heal

Honey was shy and shut down when she came to the Sanctuary, but in her new home with a new dog friend she’s learning it’s OK to relax and be herself.
Read about life her her new home
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Reba Schnyder and Elliot Tolkin holding Cricket the puppy, outside on a lawn

Lessons in patience from a puppy

After hip replacement surgery and TLC from foster caregivers, a puppy stands on her own four feet again.
Cricket makes herself at home
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