Houston Stories

Adopted dog plays with his new family

Thinking outside the shelter in rural Texas

Collaboration is the cornerstone of advancing animal welfare and increasing lifesaving.
The beginning of what we hope to be a long-term solution
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Goldilocks the cat lying on a cat scratcher

Tales of second chances for homeless pets

Across the country, Best Friends is finding pets homes full of love, fun, and sometimes even their own wardrobe.
The stories of some special dogs and cats
Best Friends Magazine
Two people in a shopping mall holding a black kitten

New homes for Texas dogs and cats in Pennsylvania

Best Friends and Texas shelters pull together to arrange a 23-hour trip to send more than 100 dogs and cats to new homes.
Long-distance matchmaking
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Daisy the dog outside on some green grass

Faces of No-Kill: Just 2 weeks give pups second chance

Daisy and her puppies have bright futures thanks to the power of teamwork and short-term fostering.
Lifelong impact from short stay
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Judy the cat lying on a cardboard scratcher

Faces of No-Kill: Shy cat has a secret

Judy had everyone convinced she was a scaredy cat, but everything changed when she went into a foster home.
Her playful personality emerges
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Franklin and Nigel the cats in the vintage shop

10 inspiring pet adoption stories from 2024

Enjoy some of the year’s most heartwarming tales from around the country of pets going home.
Read the most heartwarming adoption stories of the year
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Swiper waits to meet adopters

Happy "Tails" at Galena Park

Best Friends in Houston supports pet adoption efforts at Galena Park Animal Shelter with our Mobile Adoption Van (MAV)
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Houston team working by headlamp after Hurricane Beryl

All hands on deck in the wake of Hurricane Beryl

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Best Friends worked alongside Houston residents to keep pets in shelters safe.
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Kookie the dog posing with Valentine's Day props

Young mama dog gets serendipitous happy ending

After being found as a pregnant stray in Texas, Kookie’s story comes full circle.
It was meant to be
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Buddy the cat lying on a chair with stuffed animals behind him

Scaredy cat goes from hisses to kisses

After losing the only caregiver he’d ever known, Buddy learned it is possible to love again.
Foster home made it possible
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Mackenzie Wilhite sleeping with Nikki the dog on her chest

Opening heart to new dog is adopter’s antidote to grief

After her dog of 16 years passed, Mackenzie found sweet, happy Nikki and turned loss into a new beginning.
Now they're on a new journey together
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Rowena the calico cat wearing a donut eCollar wlying next to Binx the black cat

Cats tackle life’s challenges together

When they came to Best Friends, Rowena and Binx had more than their fair share of issues. But a new home set them on a path toward healing and friendship.
Things looking up for them both
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Two dogs outside in the grass in a playgroup, one whose tong is hanging out

Magic of playgroups unveils dogs’ hidden sociability

A five-day seminar for 13 greater Houston shelters showed that even dogs who haven’t yet shown their best side can be adopted.
Learn about this lifesaving program
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Rexie the dog wearing a decorative protective cone embellished with blue and orange hearts

Rexie the ‘T. rex’ pup loves life in his new home

Found alone on the streets of Houston, a dog with heartworm disease helps a couple decide it’s time to adopt a new best friend.
He fits perfectly with their lifestyle
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Brown tabby and white cat with a dark background

Magical pet adoption stories to lift your spirits

A dog who smiles all the time. A puppy who landed a new home at a business conference. These pets are living the good life after being adopted from Best Friends.
Meet the happy families
Best Friends Magazine