Volunteer Stories Stories

Person with a brown dog outside Pinellas County Animal Services following Hurricane Milton

Love of pets unites helpers in hurricane aftermath

Best Friends team members headed to Florida to provide relief to animal shelter staff, along with displaced people and their pets, after the hurricanes.
Offering selfless service to people and pets
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Sweet Pea the cat wearing her crocheted ears

A new set of ears for an injured cat

After everything Sweet Pea had been through, her foster volunteer wanted to do something special for her, leading to a one-of-a-kind creation.
Look at her now
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Athena holding a smiling Gremlin the dog in her lap

From shy to safe: Dog with megawatt smile goes home

Gremlin needed a friend to help calm his nerves, which ended up leading to the match of a lifetime.
Now he's all smiles
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Emilie and Haley holding a litter of kittens

Helping hands for pets in 2 Florida shelters

Respite for animal shelter staff who have been working nonstop to care for pets impacted by hurricanes
Read about this much-needed assistance
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Smiling volunteer from the MenHealing group with a goat

Finding healing through kindness to animals

Group's volunteer visits to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary have a therapeutic effect for both the animals and the people.
Service work helps heal animals and people
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The Williams family outside in Angels Canyon in front of a blue sky

Kids pay it forward to the animals

This dynamic young duo goes the extra mile to save animals through volunteering, donations, taking care of community cats, and more.
Their experience of a lifetime
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Volunteer Bill Coaker holding Rio the cat

Volunteer’s devotion to animals brings kindness to all

A volunteer’s 40th visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary highlights his dedication to cats with special needs and the people who care for them.
What brings him back
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Lorie Comer holding and kissing a puppy

Meet ‘the puppy lady’

Lorie Comer has fostered 33 dogs and puppies in a matter of months, with no signs of slowing down.
Learn more about her
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Starbucks volunteers at the Sanctuary outside behind a van

Volunteers brew up some fun for homeless pets

Volunteers from Starbucks cheerfully bond over tumbleweeds, pigs, and more during their multiple visits to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Making a profound impact
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Skylar Clark holding Grunt the puppy

How a Texas family became heroes for sick puppies

Young Skylar Clark and her family opened their home and hearts to dogs with parvovirus — a labor of love to support pets through their local shelter.
Legacy’s Legacy now saving lives
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Gavin Spencer in bed on a sleepover with his arm around Blair the dog in a hug

Wish comes true for boy who loves animals

Make-A-Wish visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is filled with dogs, cats, pigs, bunnies, tortoises, and more.
His unique experience
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Katy Bentz in a room in Cat World

Livestreaming for homeless pets

Learn how video game actor Katy Bentz got into livestreaming to raise funds for animals at Best Friends — and how you can, too.
Learn about her motivation
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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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Troy the dog lying on the floor of a room with two other dogs

Super volunteers for animals

Best Friends NOVA volunteers support dogs and cats from the comfort of their own homes.
Read about the virtual volunteering
Best Friends Magazine
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