Animal lovers share what motivates them

Have you ever stopped to think about why you love animals so much and what (or who) inspired you to help homeless pets?

For Best Friends Animal Society CEO Julie Castle, it started with a cat named Hot Rod. Then, there was Grady, a dog she inherited when her mom died, and Esther, who helped her through cancer treatment. Then came Stanley. And Shadow. And Maggie, who reached out her tiny paw at the shelter to grab Julie’s T-shirt (and her heart).

Loving, and being loved by, an animal can be a powerful catalyst that leads to advocating for all homeless pets. Our pets fuel our desire to see more pets like them saved. They’re a driving force behind Best Friends’ goal to bring all shelters across the country to no-kill. And they drive animal lovers every day to make life better for our best friends.

We asked Best Friends supporters to share their own stories of what inspires them to help animals. Here are some of the many moving responses.

Note: Stories have been edited for length and clarity.

When my daughter was 16, she worked at a veterinary office, and someone dropped a box of kittens at their front door. My daughter begged to take one home. When I finally agreed, I discovered they were still young and needed bottle-feeding. It got me started into being the cat lady, fostering kittens on my own and finding them homes. I then started fostering for rescue groups and started a group called Adopt a Grown Cat (because older cats can be harder to find homes for than kittens).

— Donna Lillard

I grew up with animals in my parents’ house, which has followed me into my own home with my children. There are too many to name, but the most recent include cats Walker, Barney, Bailey, Poop, Blackie, Sam, Katie, Sophie, and Big Boy and dogs Thor, Prissy, and Bandit. I presently just have two cats, Kali and Molly. What inspires me is those eyes that look at you like their whole life is wanting to be with you.

— Patricia Morrow

I am inspired to work in animal welfare and continue adopting homeless pets because of our first dog, Petey. Petey was a 4-year-old pit bull mix, and we had never even considered this type of dog; if anything, we only knew the stigmas attached. Even without knowing much, we knew that there was no other dog for us. He was that wonderful. After leaving the shelter with education about pit bulls and walking home with Petey on the streets of NYC, I knew our lives would never be the same. I felt the immense difference we had just made for him — that feeling is invaluable and addictive. Because of him, we have since given homes to additional homeless pit bulls, who are truly misunderstood, and I now work in animal welfare in my community so that homeless pets get a second chance, just like Petey. Adopting a pet is life-changing in the best way.

— Stephanie Sokol

I am retired military. During my tour of Afghanistan, we found a puppy who stayed around, so we made her our mascot. We named her April because the month was April. She stayed with us for some time before we got deployed to another area. I never forgot that dog, and when I retired from the military, my wife and I decided to start helping with local shelters and rescue organizations. I would love to save them all, as you would say, but just doing what we can to help is very satisfying.

— Tom Sergent

Growing up, my parents always had rescued dogs — by that I mean stray dogs who sometimes just showed up. All the kids in the neighborhood had dogs, and we all played together, kids and dogs. We drank out of the hose, kids and dogs. When I became an adult, I went down to the animal shelter in Tampa. There I saw Samantha (Sammy), who had been left tied up outside the shelter. I took a chance, and we formed a loving bond for over 14 years. She was always by my side, never barked, wonderful with people. She loved to fetch and would play ball until my arm got tired. And wow, could she swim. She would swim as much as 45 minutes at a time. Sammy has gone swimming everywhere from the Gulf of Mexico to Puget Sound in Seattle.

— Dave Wootten

As a toddler I regularly visited my grandmother, who lived in a row house in Baltimore, and on the porch next door I met and became intrigued by a Doberman. His name was Fritz, and he set my life’s trajectory. As soon as I was out on my own, I adopted a Doberman and named him Fritz. Since then, I have joined the efforts of a local Doberman rescue organization and rehomed 22 Dobermans, mostly seniors who were with me for a brief — albeit most precious — time. I have been a believer ever since that senior pets are especially wise and grateful.

— Kathleen O'Gorman

I have been rescuing and fostering animals for 30+ years and recently brought in a 9-year-old cat with five kittens. Since then, I have been requesting to foster all the older animals. Just take a senior cat home and experience the love and appreciation. Older animals seem to realize just how important a home is. They are at the age that they simply adore their lifesaver.

— Karen Watkins

There are no words to adequately describe the love and comfort that I felt while growing up with my rescued dog Ollie. He was with me through the good times, the bad times, and everything in between — always at my side with a tail wag or a lick of my hand. His enthusiasm for each new day and his gratitude for the simplest things were contagious. He taught me so many valuable lessons about selfless love, commitment, patience, responsibility, and compassion. Most importantly, Ollie made me laugh and lightened the moment when I needed it most.

— Debra Langton

I was heading out one day and found a puppy. It was obvious that he was very sick. I convinced my husband that we had to keep him, and I brought him to the vet. He had parvovirus, and luckily it was not severe. Gabriel became healthy and was the best boy. He was my Velcro dog, always by my side. Gabriel went to the Rainbow Bridge at the tender age of 9. In his memory, I have become an advocate for promoting animal welfare, and I support the good work that is being done around the world. Gabe taught me how awesome dogs truly are, and as a result we are two-time foster fails. Thank you for changing my world, Gabe.

— Greer Cook

Although I had always thought of myself as a dog person, one day I went into the shelter and was handed a tiny kitten. It was love at first sight. I named him Elvis, and though he is gone now, I have since fostered 164 cats or kittens. Several of them have joined my family. First was a very shut-down, older Siamese mix named Jade. It took me almost a year to get her settled into the family. Then came a little kitten whom I named Spirit since she had so much. She didn't let her physical issues keep her from living a full life. Then came Simon, a big gray tabby who thinks he is a dog. We do pet-assisted therapy at local schools. Then I fostered and adopted a little kitten named Savannah. And the final (for now) addition to my home is a gorgeous orange tabby named Sammy. He is the most friendly, loving cat ever. It makes me feel so happy and fulfilled to help out these cats and the cats I spend time with at the shelter.

— Cherri Gillmore

My father inspired me. We grew up with him bringing home stray animals he rescued (he was a policeman). He taught us compassion and care for all creatures. One of my first pets was a beautiful calico kitten whom he rescued on the job and brought home to me. I was 10. I named her Rainbow because she was so many colors. I have spent my life rescuing baby birds, bunnies, chipmunks, etc. I was part of my local humane society for 15 years and worked for a vet clinic for 10 years to help animals. We adopted our dog Boo nine years ago from Best Friends after going there for my birthday. I have spread this caring on to my two daughters and now my granddaughter and grandson.

— Jodi Mueller

I have never wanted to buy a dog. There are way too many precious lives who are homeless, and that compels me to only want to rescue. I have rescued a senior cocker spaniel who had way more health problems than I knew, but I loved her with all my heart. She was 7 when I rescued her but had to be put to sleep five years later. My second rescued dog I got was a Lhasa apso mix. He followed me everywhere and slept by my side for 9 1/2 glorious years. I miss him desperately. He even kissed me goodnight every night. Having these positive experiences has encouraged me more and more.

— Sheri Drobnick

I got my first dog, whom we named Tia, when I was a small child. She was the most sweet and compassionate dog I have ever met. Even as she grew old and blind, she still was happy just to be with us. I went on to have other dogs, and I went from being afraid of cats to having my own sphinx called Nova, along with Hiccup, Peaches, Kiwi, and a new parrot. I may be disabled, but the animals inspire me to keep trying — not just for me but for every animal on the planet as well. I now talk about animals all the time, donate to any that I can, sign every petition, and send emails to my representatives to get the word out as much as I can.

— Alisha Luck

My grandfather gave me a puppy when I was 5 years old. It was my first pet. My grandmother had a parakeet, whom I loved to watch and talk to. This started my love for animals. When I would go outside, if I saw a cat or dog in the neighborhood, I would pet them and play with them. My parents raised me with dogs and cats, and my love for all animals only grew as I aged. Animals are innocent and don't deserve to be abandoned or abused. It's our responsibility to help keep them safe.

— Diane Lesser

I was lucky enough to be born into an animal-loving family. Whether it was dogs or cats — or injured birds, rabbits, squirrels, mice, a snake or two, and even tadpoles from a drying-up drainage ditch — we did what they needed. Once, my dad tore up the drain spout that extended under the concrete driveway of our new house because a bird was trapped inside. Each life was precious to us. As an adult, my blessing/curse seems to be finding animals who need costly veterinary care. I’ve never been able to turn them away because it was expensive or inconvenient. My life may not have made a huge difference in this world, but when I die there will be a plethora of creatures waiting for me over the Rainbow Bridge.

— Gail Laub

For me, helping homeless animals isn’t just a cause — it’s a calling. I believe every animal deserves to be seen, heard, and loved, especially those who’ve been overlooked or forgotten. Fostering dogs for the past five years has shown me the incredible transformation that happens when an animal feels safe. I’ve watched shy, shut-down dogs blossom into joyful, quirky companions. Giving homeless animals a voice means advocating for their worth, their stories, and their right to a second chance. It’s about making sure they’re not just rescued but truly understood.

— Melissa Schaeffer

Inspired to help homeless pets? Whether you adopt, foster, give, volunteer, or use your voice, you can make a lifesaving difference. Go to bestfriends.org/how-you-can-help to learn more.

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.