Adopted pets find joy in their new homes

Every pet adoption comes with a little sparkle, and these three stories of pets recently adopted from Best Friends Animal Society are bursting with it.

Bringing Barley home was such a fun, heartwarming experience. The crew was incredibly kind and helpful, really taking the time to make sure he was the right fit for our home. Barley is such a character — goofy, playful, and constantly making us laugh. But at the same time, he’s incredibly brave and confident. What I love most is how willing he is to try; he shows up every day ready to learn and give it his all. He’s been nothing short of amazing: thriving in training, soaking everything up, and bringing so much joy and personality into our home.

We visited the Sanctuary in March on a spring-break road trip and didn’t expect to adopt, especially since we already had a cat. While volunteering at Jill’s Diner, we met Vanessa, and our daughter chose her for a sleepover. We returned Vanessa the next morning, but we couldn’t stop thinking about her, especially our daughter. The next day, we were supposed to head home to Colorado, but my husband and I secretly changed plans, driving back to Best Friends. Our daughter was overjoyed when she realized we were there to adopt Vanessa.

Vanessa has settled in beautifully. Honestly, she’s like a completely different cat. She’s much more relaxed, eating and drinking regularly, spending time with us, and getting to know her new feline sibling. She’s discovered a few favorite activities too: stroller rides, belly rubs, and (occasionally) reminding her older brother who’s in charge. We absolutely adore her!

We are so in love. Leroy is so laid-back, and when he’s ready for cheek rubs, boy, does he let us know! He pushes his little face right into us and waits. Wildflower is a ham, always trying to steal whatever snack either of us is having and then thumping at us if we don’t share. She’s picking up tricks quickly, too. They both flop out and sleep deeply. It feels special to be trusted by them. Thanks for helping us get to know the buns and learn how to care for them!

This article was originally published in the July/August 2026 issue of Best Friends magazine. Want more good news? Become a member and get stories like this six times a year.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.