Julie Castle with Sunny the dog

Julie Castle's Blog

Julie Castle is Chief Executive Officer of Best Friends Animal Society. Read More @BFAS_Julie

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Jane Goodall kneeling down beside a black and white dog
Remembering Jane Goodall and her better world through kindness to animals
Because of Jane Goodall, kindness is a creed — not a catchphrase but a way of life. The world lost a light this week with the…
She advanced science by following her heart
Julie Castle Blog
Person sitting on the ground hugging a dog at Miami-Dade Animal Services
Best Friends and Miami-Dade team up to tackle shelter crowding
Best Friends’ staff members are on the ground helping Miami-Dade Animal Services save more lives, faster. If you’ve ever been…
Progress possible due to collaboration
Julie Castle Blog
Child lying in grass between two dogs
5 lifesaving wins you might’ve missed...
If summer slipped away from you too, here are 5 wins for the animals to get you caught up. Wow, the days are getting shorter,…
Stories to inspire you
Julie Castle Blog
Caregiver sitting on the ground and feeding a small treat to Kazoo the raven
Answering the call of the wild at Wild Friends: Inside wildlife rehabilitation at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
At Wild Friends, injured and orphaned wildlife get the care they need to heal, return to the wild, and teach us how to coexist…
Compassion is not selective
Julie Castle Blog
Animal control officer petting a shepherd dog
Sometimes lifesaving happens on the road, not in a shelter
When you do what’s right for an individual animal, everybody wins. What I love most about the no-kill movement is how it shows…
Helping pets and their people
Julie Castle Blog
Three people rescuing two dogs in a boat
Hurricane Katrina, 20 years later: What we saw, learned, and how animals fare better today
A solemn remembrance of the catastrophe that changed us all. Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the…
Hurricane Katrina was lifechanging for the rescuers and reshaped disaster response within animal welfare itself
Julie Castle Blog
Person cradling a cat in her arms
No-kill is inevitable — the Magnolia State is showing us how
Mississippi communities are writing the blueprint for no-kill. They’re showing us that shelters don't have to be a last…
Mississippi is making lifesaving possible despite all odds
Julie Castle Blog
Williamson County Animal Shelter plaque in front of dog kennels
The communities rewriting what’s possible for pets in shelters
When we face challenges head on –– and succeed –– we celebrate those wins with plaques as a reminder to every community: Be proud.
Celebrating lifesaving wins with plaques
Julie Castle Blog
Two people, one holding a cat and one holding a dog
Shelter pet lifesaving is up 19% — but that’s only half the story
We are gaining ground, but we need you in the fight. For many of us, statistics and data are just numbers. Now, I know a lot…
By working together, lives are saved
Julie Castle Blog
Superman and Krypto the dog flying with the Best Friends logo and text including, Even Superheroes Need a Best Friend
From big screen to shelter pets: The SUPERMAN effect
The new DC Studios film, SUPERMAN, is sparking a surge in pet adoption and shining a spotlight on rescue animals. SUPERMAN hit…
Film director James Gunn's dog provides the inspiration for Krypto
Julie Castle Blog
Animal Services Officer carrying a dog over their shoulder in a kennel area
Best Friends answers the call
Amid devastating flooding, Texas shelters are moving adoptable pets to safety — giving lost pets a chance to reunite with…
We can help in ways that have both immediate and lasting impact
Julie Castle Blog
Best Friends CEO speaking to Best Friends National Conference attendees
The mentor who made me: How Sterling Church shaped my leadership
A tribute to the quiet strength of mentorship and why investing in others matters more than ever.
Julie challenges each of us in his honor
Julie Castle Blog
Gregory Castle smiling and holding a small dog
A Tribute to Gregory Castle
Remembering an extraordinary man and Best Friends co-founder.
He changed the world
Julie Castle Blog
A group of human hands wearing Best Friends logo temporary tattoos all together in a circle
Sailing through 2025: The Pelican State on no-kill
Louisiana continues to honor its legacy as the Pelican State by protecting its animals with a no-kill proclamation.
Have your representatives made a proclamation yet?
Julie Castle Blog
A gray kitten waves from its bowl
No-kill shelters are now the norm
There’s a tipping point in all great things. It’s the moment the scales shift their balance — when the heavy and seemingly…
The no-kill movement is real - and working.
Julie Castle Blog