Pets named Ryan Reynolds go home during birthday bash

Actors Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool, Green Lantern) and Rob McElhenney (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mythic Quest) are best friends. And as besties often do, Ryan and Rob go all out for each other’s birthdays. They notoriously celebrate the other’s big day by giving an unconventional gift — shenanigans their fans look forward to year after year. This year, Rob came to Best Friends with an idea for Ryan’s birthday that was hilarious, heartwarming, and would help save homeless pets. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters to reach no-kill, and promoting pet adoption is an important part of that. So the answer was yes.

Ryan Reynolds is one of Hollywood’s biggest names, so why not share that star power with pets in need? In honor of Ryan’s 48th birthday, hundreds of pets (48 at each Best Friends location across the country) were temporarily renamed “Ryan Reynolds.” Besides dogs and cats, there were horses, pigs, bunnies, birds, a turtle, and even a donkey — all named Ryan Reynolds.

Rob stopped by the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in Los Angeles to film a video announcing the fun (and to work a short stint at the front desk).

“If everybody had their own Ryan Reynolds, they could shower him with love and affection,” Rob says in the video. “And wouldn’t the world be a better place?”

On October 23 (Ryan’s birthday) and October 24, pet adoption fees were waived at all Best Friends locations, which were decked out in birthday party décor — balloons, streamers, the works. Staff also made new kennel cards for each Ryan Reynolds, which included the pet’s actual name, their age, a bit about their personality, and their favorite movie.

In just those two days, 90 pets — including eight “Ryans” — went home with new families. Before heading out, people and pets posed for pictures with larger-than-life cardboard cutouts of Ryan’s head. Adopters were encouraged to use the hashtag #AdoptARyan to show off their new best friend. By the end of the month, 23 more “Ryans” were adopted, too.

The birthday bash wasn’t just about pet adoptions; it was also about raising funds for the animals. Best Friends supporters donated more than $7,200, and Rob and his wife, actress Kaitlin Olson, pitched in an additional $25,000, which they presented to Best Friends during the super adoption event at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.

And how did Ryan feel about all of this? In an Instagram post, the A-lister expressed that he was touched by the gesture. He’s already planning how he’ll answer the efforts when it’s time to celebrate Rob’s birthday in April.

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.