No-Kill 2025 Stories

Profile of two shepherd-type dogs.

'Let’s stop killing animals in shelters and get more of them adopted out'

Los Angeles Times editorial board calls out the conditions and operations at Los Angeles Animal Services.
Support the pets of Los Angeles
Julie Castle Blog
Three happy people posing with a calico cat and a Best Friends no-kill 2023 shelter trophy

New data shows encouraging trend for pets in shelters

Monthly data from nearly 800 animal shelters from across the U.S. shows the first lifesaving progress for dogs and cats since 2020.
Positive momentum for shelter lifesaving
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Dog with two different colored eyes and licking his lips in a home environment holding a toy ball

Lack of funding and lifesaving structure is costing lives at LAAS

Increased deaths and missed opportunities demand accountability and action.
Demand change now
Julie Castle Blog
Shepherd-type dog in a home setting

3.4% fewer animals were killed in shelters so far in 2024

Best Friends’ latest data shows a turning point for shelters across the country.
Let’s celebrate the positive momentum in lifesaving
Julie Castle Blog
Tabby kitten lying on a gray blanket with another cat in the background

Virginia’s no-kill commitment: A big win for pets in the commonwealth

Virginia Loves Shelter Animals Month encourages no-kill in 2025.
This isn’t just a declaration — it’s a rallying cry
Julie Castle Blog
Group of people and dogs walking on a path in Strut Your Mutt outside surrounded by trees and grass

Sit, stay, strut: Thousands raised to bring pets home

Best Friends’ 2024 Strut Your Mutt fundraising walk and festival benefited animal welfare organizations in and around Salt Lake City.
Strutting to Save Them All
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Person with a dog with a downed tree in Florida after Hurricane Milton

Best Friends' lifesaving work in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton

A summary of our crisis response over the past three weeks
Helping shelters and communities in need
Julie Castle Blog
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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Person kissing a small dog, both in the front seat of a vehicle

Affordable vet care helps Louisiana pets

Rachael Ray Save Them All Grant supports The Inner Pup’s low-cost veterinary services to help pets stay in their homes with their families.
Helping people and their pets
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Happy dog on a leash next to a child in a shelter environment

No-kill 101: Keeping pets at home and out of shelters

Understand why your local animal shelter might ask you to make an appointment — and how it’s different from turning away pets in need.
Vital programs that prioritize lifesaving
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Black and white pit-bull-type dog in a home setting on a multi-colored rug

PETA again takes aim at the no-kill movement

What's up with PETA?
Read my thoughts
Julie Castle Blog
Amra and Rhonda the dogs beside a pick-up truck at Dogtown

40 fun facts about Best Friends Animal Society

Celebrate Best Friends’ 40th anniversary with little-known fun facts about the Sanctuary, the animals, and the people who started it all.
Learn more
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Francis Battista with multiple dogs outside in Angel Canyon

Reflections on our relationship to pets

Ultimately, animals are essential to our wholeness as human beings, so we must save those in shelters. 
The core of our mission to end the killing in shelters
Best Friends Magazine
Black, brown and white dog with upright ears

Reinstate funding and staff positions at Los Angeles Animal Services

Tax dollars should not fund the killing of dogs and cats in shelters.
Funding and staffing should be dedicated to lifesaving
Julie Castle Blog
Cricket

Yes, I’m going there: My thoughts on Kristi Noem killing her dog Cricket

How could a no-kill organization not weigh in?
Read my thoughts
Julie Castle Blog