No-Kill Stories

Two kittens snuggled sleeping together on a red bed

More shelter pets adopted in 2024, but the fight isn’t over

Data reveals gains in adoption and fewer shelter animals killed, yet shelters are ...
Positive trends but there’s more work to be done
Julie Castle Blog
Shepherd dog with a smiling animal control officer

Animal shelters embrace no-kill philosophy

A mindset to save lives means large animal shelters are maintaining no-kill even w...
They’ve maintained no-kill despite challenges
Best Friends Magazine
Smiling person holding a yawning puppy in a shelter

No-kill 101: The 3 pillars of saving pets in shelters

Three key pillars in modern animal services have been instrumental in saving more ...
Learn these lifesaving practices
Feature
Person wearing a Save Them All T-shirt holding two kittens on their arm

Heartwarming animal stories that made 2024 shine

The most-read stories of the year on bestfriends.org showcase the lifesaving work ...
Read their emotional stories
Feature
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 A...
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 ...
Positive momentum for shelter lifesaving
Feature
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
Video
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
Feature
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
Feature
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
Feature