No-Kill 2025 Stories

Gray tabby kitten playing in some autumn leaves

Giving Tuesday, but make it a way of life

Magical moments to be replicated every day of the year. Well, it’s Wednesday. B...
Giving animals in shelters the chances they deserve
Julie Castle Blog
Silhouette of Best Friends CEO Julie Castle squatting down to pet a cat with Angel Canyon in the background through a window

The quiet work of gratitude

A reflection on the people, the devotion, and the quiet moments that carried me th...
Pause to reflect on all that is good in our orbit
Julie Castle Blog
Ben the black and white dog lying beside a bowl with his name on it

Big wins for big dogs at an Arizona shelter

Ben went from shy to confident thanks to a fun new training program that helps gen...
Efforts making a lifesaving difference
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Trevor the groomer holding a small white dog

Proving what’s possible for pets at a Maryland shelter

In Prince George’s County, a new approach is making the animal shelter a more hope...
Little things that change everything
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Orange tabby cat on a small table reaching his paw forward

Leaders across America stand with shelters to save pets’ lives

22 states have proclaimed their support for no-kill. This past year marked a si...
Proof that people from every corner of the country can agree on something this important
Julie Castle Blog
Happy black and white dog whose tongue is out on the lap of an animal control officer

The unsung heroes who keep animal shelters running

Recognizing the people powering lifesaving this National Animal Shelter Appreciati...
Thanks to the staff and volunteers caring for animals in shelters
Julie Castle Blog
Rich Avanzino and Julie Castle in front of a Best Friends Benefit to Save Them All backdrop

The power of proof: Turning ‘impossible’ into millions of lives saved

From a radical question to a nationwide movement, compassion and conviction have r...
Challenging the status quo
Julie Castle Blog
Person wearing an orange Best Friends volunteer T-shirt holding a cat wearing a bow tie over her shoulder

Moving no-kill forward: A Houston highlight

The ethos and the philosophy of no-kill is quite simple: When we focus on one anim...
Working hard to build up community-led change
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 s...
Progress possible due to collaboration
Julie Castle Blog
Smiling leashed dog in front of a person

The debate about no-kill animal sheltering

One advocate’s story from animal-loving kid to shelter director...
Partnership, not punishment
Best Friends Magazine
Bedford Animal Shelter staff in front of an American and Texas flag holding a Best Friends award and stuffed dog

Texas town celebrates animal shelter’s no-kill milestone

Bedford’s amazing accomplishment brought a wave of pride as city leaders and anima...
They are an example for the region
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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 ca...
Stories to inspire you
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 ...
Helping pets and their people
Julie Castle Blog
Coda the brown and white dog with tongue out, outside wearing a harness and leash

W.Va. animal shelter goes from last stop to lifesaving

Kassy Slack and her team are making changes at Harrison County Animal Control and ...
Compassion in action
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Rio the dog beside a chain-link fence

A better way to reunite lost pets with their people

Communities are stepping up to get pets back home quickly, easing stress for pets,...
Golden rule for found pets
Best Friends Magazine