Everyday heroes for animals

Kindness toward animals comes in all shapes and sizes — from scooping up a tiny lost kitten to raising thousands of dollars for pets in need. A little compassion can turn ordinary moments into something extraordinary. Here are a few shining examples of kindness in action.

Betsaida Mercado was on the New York City subway when a particularly petite passenger padded her way on board, causing a commotion. Betsaida looked up to see what was happening, but she needed to look down instead — it was a kitten who’d captured everyone’s attention. When it became clear the kitten was alone, unaccompanied by a human, Betsaida took responsibility for the tiny tabby. Her first thought: making sure the kitten was OK. Her second: realizing she was going to be a “cat mom.” She named the kitten Emmie (short for MTA, Metropolitan Transportation Authority) and took her to the vet, where she got a clean bill of health. At home now with Betsaida, Emmie is enjoying a different mode of transportation — seeing the sights of the city tucked safely in her pet stroller.

In the aftermath of the floods that devastated Texas Hill Country, 11-year-old Kamryn wanted to channel her heartbreak into helping. She decided to sell homemade cookies and donate the proceeds to Kerrville Pets Alive! and Texas A&M University’s veterinary emergency team to help animals impacted by the floods. And bake she did. A family friend who’s a baker let Kamryn use her commercial kitchen, and local businesses offered Kamryn spots to set up her cookie stand. So far, Kamryn has made and sold over 1,000 cookies, raising thousands of dollars for flood relief efforts to help pets and their people.

When mail carrier Ian Burke adopted Floyd from a Texas animal shelter, the pair already shared a meaningful history. Ian had delivered mail to Floyd’s person for years and always enjoyed his visits with the man and his big, happy-go-lucky pup. But when Ian’s route changed, they lost touch — until a co-worker let Ian know that Floyd’s person had passed away and Floyd had ended up in the local shelter. Ian’s route was crystal clear: He knew how cherished Floyd had been in his former home, and he wanted to continue that love by making Floyd a part of his family. As Ian says, it’s one of the best things he’s received through the mail.

Sitting all alone at the dog park, Archie must have been so confused. Thankfully, Jeff Chattin was out that evening in his Arkansas neighborhood and spotted the small, speckly pup with velvety black ears. No one claimed him, so Jeff decided to take him in temporarily. But with travel plans looming, he knew he needed to get some help. He asked around in the community and met Kevin Girkins, who immediately fell head over heels for Archie and decided to bring him home as a new family member. But the fairy-tale magic didn’t stop there: Jeff and Kevin became fast friends after realizing they have a lot in common. They are both Texas transplants and former bicycle racers who share mutual friends. And the happily-ever-after? Kevin has fulfilled his dream to open his own restaurant — named Archie’s Sandwichery.

The grief that follows losing a pet is deep. But remembering our best friends and connecting with others who’ve experienced pet loss can help to turn that sadness into a legacy of love. That’s why Lynn Byrd of North Carolina created Little Pet Chapels. Lynn and her husband build “chapels” — small wooden structures with beautiful designs and doors that open to an interior space — and have a contract to install them in local parks and other public spaces. Passersby can leave little notes to memorialize their pets inside each chapel. The chapels become covered in a patchwork of words, drawings, photos, and more that honor beloved animals. It’s Lynn’s way to show people who are grieving that they’re not alone — and to amplify awareness of the human-animal bond.

This article was originally published in the November/December 2025 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 in 2025. 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.