Salt Lake City Stories

Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, formed in the midst of the pandemic, is blazing trails in Utah with new, innovative community sheltering services.

Born with three legs, Smooches came to Best Friends for special care when she was just days old.

Leslie and Keith drove from Reno to Salt Lake City to adopt a cat they can’t touch, but love all the same.

Daisy went from a shelter to a home with an adopter who can’t get enough of her endless smiles.

When a retired couple on vacation met a blind dog named Float, they knew their past experience would help provide him with a home where he would thrive.

Roxy arrived at Best Friends with matted hair, an ear infection, bladder stones and major dental issues, but after help from the medical team she’s finally feeling good again.

From transporting pets to fostering cats, Alida and Gary Oldham are always ready to help.

A days-old kitten arrived at Best Friends with injuries, but in a foster home he received around-the-clock care to heal and thrive.

Squeegee was only days old and struggling to survive when he arrived at Best Friends, but in a foster home he flourished and formed a lifelong connection.

More than just being scared, Tulip needed emergency surgery and time to recover in a loving foster home.

From teaching cats to “talk,” to creating videos that inspire others to get involved, these volunteers prove there are many ways to support pets in shelters.

Once ailing kitten, aptly named after the Greek goddess of spring, overcomes illness with the help of Best Friends to flourish in a home.

Norbert came to Best Friends missing part of his back leg, but time in a foster home and surgery helped the kitten seize the moment (and the curtains) without missing a beat.

Hedwig was so scared when he arrived at Best Friends that he’d only venture out at night, but it took him only three hours to bask in the sunlight of a foster home.

Alucard had a serious upper respiratory infection but with help from Best Friends he defied the odds to thrive.