Dog and Cat Transports Stories

Dog gets some love at the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia

No-kill animal shelters: The new normal in America

From a large shelter in Las Vegas to a smaller one in rural Georgia, U.S. animal shelters are steadily moving toward no-kill.
Steady progress saves more lives
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Kiwi the tabby cat

Cat missing for 19 months reunited with family

Lourdes Ortiz was distraught when her cat, Kiwi, went missing, but a microchip brought them back together despite the family moving a thousand miles away.
Now she's back in loving arms
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Two people in a shopping mall holding a black kitten

New homes for Texas dogs and cats in Pennsylvania

Best Friends and Texas shelters pull together to arrange a 23-hour trip to send more than 100 dogs and cats to new homes.
Long-distance matchmaking
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Stella the dog outside on a leash

Amid fires, CA pets start new lives in Salt Lake City

Although the wildfires are local to Los Angeles, the disaster is inspiring action and bringing out the best in people across the country.
People step up to answer the call
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Line of carriers containing animals from Los Angles during the wildfires in front of the transport airplane

Fires inspire support for pets in L.A. shelters

Best Friends is moving hundreds of adoptable dogs and cats out of area animal shelters to make space for pets impacted by wildfires.
Best Friends and our partners take in adoptable pets from L.A.
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Profile of Clementine the cat, showing her broken jaw

Adoptable pets from L.A. wildfires arrive in Utah

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary takes in dogs and cats from impacted shelters in the Los Angeles area.
Meet some of the rescued pets
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Two people lifting a large crate containing a dog as part of a transport during the Los Angeles wildfires

Best Friends mobilizes to save pets from L.A. wildfires

Amid the worst natural disaster in Los Angeles history, Best Friends is helping dogs and cats displaced by fires that threaten the entire metro area.
Despite personal losses, people rally for animals
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Line of pet crates containing animals next to an airplane and animal control vehicles

Pets flown from hurricane-damaged Florida get new start

Best Friends has teamed up with other animal welfare groups to arrange transportation for pets away from storm-damaged areas to shelters in other states.
Giving dogs and cats a fresh start
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Person removing a large crate from a transport van

Pets get lifesaving lifts out of Hurricane Milton’s path

When Pinellas County Animal Services in Florida needed help moving animals prior to Hurricane Milton, Best Friends was ready to lend a hand.
Some instant connections were made
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Maddie the dog lying down on a gray cushion

230 dogs in Dallas shelter get fresh start

Best Friends grants and dozens of organizations coming together give second chances to hundreds of dogs at Dallas Animal Services.
Collaboration saves lives
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Amy holding the orange kitten in the plane

Swift action saves pets in shelter from raging wildfire

When a wildfire in New Mexico threatened local animal shelters, Best Friends and area animal welfare organizations teamed up to save lives.
Working together to save lives
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Edamommy the mama cat in a carrier with her kittens

Teamwork, tenacity, and an epic road trip save 36 cats

Planes, vans, serenading cats, and kitten stowaways highlight a cross-country trip to help a shelter manage a potentially deadly disease outbreak.
Lifesaving roadtrip
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Person snuggling and kissing the top of the head of a dog lying on his hap

13 stories of volunteers who save pets’ lives

They’re all amazing, and they all show up time and again to pitch in and help pets go from shelters to homes.
Showing appreciation for all their help
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Group of Southwest Airlines Southwest Animal Transport Team (SWATT) members holding puppies beside the open door of an airplane

Rescuing animals, one flight at a time

The SWATT program has been creating rescue-friendly skies through Southwest Airlines, helping thousands of animals go home.
A great resource for homeless pets
Best Friends Magazine
Sonny the puppy wearing an orange Puppy Bowl bandanna

A puppy’s journey part 1: A star is born

How a puppy named Sonny went from alone on a roadside in Alabama to a shelter and then a foster home where his whole life changed
The start of Sonny's journey
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