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Features

All Stories Features Julie's Blog VideosMagazine
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Susan Fishbein sitting outside in the sand with a large brown dog

Volunteers expand homeless dogs’ worlds

From walks and car etiquette to first-time sleepovers and long-term fostering, Susan and Dan Fishbein have opened many doors for dogs at the Sanctuary.
They've become invaluable team members
Feature
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Volunteers Russ and Elizabeth Duszak in front of a display at the Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Northwest Arkansas

Nearly 2 decades of volunteering with Best Friends

Russ Duszak, a commercial pilot, and his wife, Elizabeth, have volunteered in animal care, done transports, worked events, and fostered kittens for 17 years.
Helping Best Friends animals around the country
Feature
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Group of volunteers from a Best Friends in Houston takeover day at a local animal shelter

Volunteers team up to support Texas shelters

Best Friends volunteers go into shelters for a full day of doing whatever the shelter staff need help with the most.
Providing extra support and enrichment to pets
Feature
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Betty the Chihuahua from the television program "Wlll Trent"

ABC’s ‘Will Trent’ sponsors pet adoptions plus an adorable PSA

ABC and its new hit series 'Will Trent' are celebrating National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day by promoting pet adoptions with a new PSA and by covering pet adoption fees from April 28-30 at select Best Friends Animal Society locations.
Sponsoring adoptions and promoting animal rescue
Feature
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Volunteer Bill Splitter, smiling, between his two daughters Trischa and Elizabeth

Air Force vet to full-time volunteer with dogs

Volunteering changed veteran, dog lover, logistics legend, and epic animal transporter Bill Splitter’s life.
Remembering Bill's legacy
Feature
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Brenda and Marty Winnick smiling and holding an orange tabby cat

Volunteers work and play hard at Best Friends

For Brenda and Marty Winnick, volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary means making a difference and having a place to belong — and, of course, having fun.
They do a bit of everything
Feature
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Volunteer Cheryl Baker smiling and holding a gray and white kitten

Cat-loving L.A. volunteer donates over 5,000 hours

When Cheryl Baker and her husband, Paul, stopped for a tour while vacationing in Utah, little did they know that years later they would be devoted Best Friends volunteers.
She does a little of everything, including fostering
Feature
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Ira and Vanni with two other people and a mascot wearing a cowboy hat with the word "Texas"

Friends speak up for pets in local shelters

Meet two 2025 Action Team volunteers in Weslaco, Texas, committed to saving pets in their community.
See grassroots advocacy at its finest
Feature
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Volunteer Lisa Zarek holding a black and white puppy

From finance exec to service for animals

Lisa Zarek supports new volunteers, coaches foster caregivers, and connects with shelters, all without leaving home.
Read what motivates her to volunteer
Feature
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Lorcan the cat peeking out of a hole in a leopard-print cat tunnel

Cat’s no-touch preference is no problem for adopter

Lorcan isn’t always comfortable being petted. In his new home, his need for space isn’t just tolerated, it’s celebrated.
See how he fits right in
Feature
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Ron Swanson and Pancake the dogs, on an agility platform, both smiling

Best friends at Best Friends: Pancake and Ron Swanson

Meet one of our favorite odd couples: two dogs known affectionately as “Roncake.”
Meet the best buds
Feature
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Kya the dog in the back seat of a vehicle

Dog gains the courage to trust

A once fearful pup finds safety with a patient, loving family who accepts her for who she is.
See her progress
Feature
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Smiling person scratching the chin of a brown and white dog

The new face of animal services in Fresno

Best Friends embed program assists Fresno Humane Animal Services in setting up a city animal services program.
See how the animals and people benefit
Feature
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Dolly Parton the cat lying on a couch behind Scott

Three-legged cat is full of surprises

Dolly Parton’s new family was prepared to make their home accessible to her, and then she showed them how much she could do.
She made herself right at home
Feature
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Potato the blocky-headed pooch with his new family

Dog’s new family is just his type

Potato is a dog with nine lives. He was at risk in a shelter, then beat heartworm disease, then needed emergency surgery, and finally landed a family who loves him dearly.
His long road to home
Feature

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Best Friends Animal Society - Save Them All

We will reach no-kill in this country by 2025.

Best Friends, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operates the nation’s largest sanctuary for homeless animals and provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs.

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In the Spotlight

As seen on National Geographic’s DogTown and the CW's Dog Town USA. And the inspiration behind the critically acclaimed film, The Champions.

We're proud to be one of the 2022 Top Workplaces, and honored to be recognized for our innovative work to take the entire country no-kill by 2025.

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