Los Angeles Stories

Lisette the cat in a kennel lying on a colorful matt

Adopters see shy black cat for the rare pearl she is

What does a shy, middle-aged, jet-black female cat in Los Angeles have in common with a Tahitian pearl? More than you might think.
Read about this rare gem's journey
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Chris Alton sitting next to a dog in their RV

Couple converts RV into foster pet crash pad

Cat’s fear of dogs prompts Los Angeles family to get creative in order to continue fostering pets.
Read about this fostering innovation
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Ginny and Kenny Popvich with posing on a loveseat with a dog

Mother and son help dogs get adopted, one hike at a time

Volunteers Ginny and Kenny Popovich have been hitting the trails with dogs from Best Friends in Los Angeles for more than seven years.
Learn why they volunteer
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Nancy Stewart and Juve Vique adopting Banjo the cat, who is wearing his hat

A most memorable cat named Banjo

Adopting one cat with FIV leads to another for an L.A. couple, and now Banjo is living the life of his dreams.
Read Banjo's story
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Lil the cat lying on Kelly's chest

Cat gets comfortable in her own skin

Lil came to Best Friends with a bad skin condition, but with help from the medical team and a wonderful foster family, she’s now living her best life in Los Angeles.
See how she's living her best life
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Person wearing Best Friends hat, hugging a German shepherd, by the Mission Hills location

A new chapter in Los Angeles

Best Friends is centralizing operations in the city.
See what's changing in L.A.
Julie Castle Blog
Alida and Gary Oldham with Cleopatra the cat, who is nose-to-nose with Gary

5 men making a difference for homeless pets

This Father’s Day, tip your hat to the men in your community who are helping pets in their own way.
Read about their efforts
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Leon the blind orange tabby kitten lying on a blanket

Blind kitten with the heart of a lion

Leon lost his eyes when he was a tiny kitten, but today he’s having the time of his life with his best kitten buddy in his new home.
Read about his progress
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Erik Smith and a woman adopting Nash the dog, holding a 'I saved my best friend' sign

Dog inspires radio DJ to promote pet adoption on the air

Erik Smith and ‘Best Friends Friday’ on 100.3 FM The Bull in Houston help pets go home, thanks to a special dog named Nash.
Learn more
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Archie the cat lying on a bed

Once grumpy cat finally gets his day in the sun

Archie was seeing red when he arrived at Best Friends, but with a lot of help and a little time the handsome orange tabby found a home where all he has to do is be himself.
Read how they adapted
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Smiling person next to Tanya the dog, who is also smiling

Skinny, sick dog finds new hope, new life

Tanya came to Best Friends with sarcoptic mange, but after medical care and plenty of love in a foster home, she’s now part of a big happy family.
Read about Tanya's improvement and adoption
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Gloved hand holding a tabby kitten whose mouth is messy from eating from Best Friends in Los Angeles

Kitten showers help shelters prepare for kitten season

Best Friends teams up with shelters from coast to coast to collect supplies and recruit foster volunteers just in time for kitten season.
See how communities stepped up
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Couple adopting a kitten from Little Lion Foundation in front of a backdrop that says I adopted a Little Lion

Embed program helps California kitten rescue expand fundraising

Little Lion Foundation gets help in building financial sustainability to save more kittens.
Meet Owen, the kitten who changed everything
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Tammie Sadler smiling and holding Bella the Maltese-mix puppy

Parvo is no match for Maltese-mix puppy

Bella was just a month old when she came down with parvovirus but with quick action from the shelter and Best Friends, she’s now healthy and in a new home.
Read how Bella gains her health and home
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Monica the cat lying on a cat tree

One kitty’s transformation from scaredy-cat to queen of her castle

Monica’s fear put her life on hold until her photo caught the attention of a good-natured cat person.
Read about her progress
Best Friends Magazine