From hoops to homes: Big 12 crowd scores puppy cuddles

Come for the basketball; leave with your new best friend.

Thanks to a slam-dunk partnership between Best Friends Animal Society and the Big 12 Conference, college basketball fans at this year’s Big 12 Basketball Championships in Kansas City got more than just buzzer-beaters and fast breaks — they had the chance to meet adorable adoptable pets and learn about saving lives.

During the back-to-back women’s and men’s tournaments at the T-Mobile Center and outside at the Big 12 Fan Fest, Best Friends and network partner The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City set up all-star adoption, interaction and cuddle spaces. There, fans got a full-court press with a pen full of puppies ready to cuddle, staff and volunteers on hand to facilitate adoptions and talk up opportunities for fostering and volunteering, taking donations and giving attendees the chance to make their own trading cards, complete with a pic of them and a pup.

Behind the scenes, the “tunnel cuddle lounge” was a prime spot where players, coaches, cheerleaders, and bands took a timeout to soak up the puppy love. Even the ESPN crew couldn’t resist, showing them on TV so regularly that fans recognized individual pups by name. Event staff also fell in love, with crowd favorites Minnie and Moo going home with an arena chef, and adult dog Porkchop making a winning connection with a Kansas City police officer after spending nearly two years in the shelter.

[The Star of Puppy Bowl XVII]

Big 12 Tournament master of ceremonies Tyler Banks showcased some of the adoptable puppies on the court during game pauses, rallying the crowd and championing pet adoption in front of thousands of basketball fans. Attendees also had the chance to donate to the animals, with a generous $10,000 match provided by Litter-Robot.

Clearly the event was nothing but net for homeless pets, and every dog in attendance over the two weeks of play was adopted. More Big 12 Conference championships in other sports are already in the playbook for Best Friends later in 2025.

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.