No-Kill 2025 Stories

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 ...
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 ...
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 chance...
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 servi...
Helping people and their pets
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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
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 — an...
Vital programs that prioritize lifesaving
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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 San...
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 sav...
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
Childing hugging a brown puppy who is wearing a red bandana

From Times Square with love

Pop-up event in New York City spreads the message to help get pets out of shelters...
See some puppies and familiar faces
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