Sanctuary Stories

Four people working to imp feathers onto the owl

Owl covered in concrete returns to the skies at last

After a specialized procedure at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to replace his dama...
Now he's back where he belongs
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Aurora and Royburt the cats beside one another on a chair

Cat goes from spicy to sweet

After facing significant challenges, spirited Aurora has blossomed in a loving hom...
Aurora is now thriving
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Caretaker feeding "Righty Tighty" the cat.

Don’t let his pout fool you, this cat’s a charmer

Round-the-clock care helped Righty Tighty feel his best at Best Friends Animal San...
Now his personality shines
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Shy DeLand playing hide-and-seek with Clint the horse

A horse who chose connection

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Clint the horse learned to trust people through ...
Learning Clint’s language
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Adam with Queenie the dog on a sleepover

Faces of No-Kill: Escape artist dog finds her zen

Once an escape artist in a busy world, Queen Bee discovers peace, stability, and t...
Now comfortable enough to let her guard down
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Annie and Coco the donkeys playing with a large ball with a person watching

Two mini donkeys, one big glow-up

A little patience, a lot of heart, and a few sweet treats at Best Friends Animal S...
Double the cuteness
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An older Emma the dog with her family in a vehicle

Remembering Emma, a truly special dog

Adopted from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in 2010, Emma spent 15 years bringing j...
Loving tribute to beloved family member
Best Friends Magazine
Prairie Dawn the dog outside

Steps forward for a dog who once chose distance

With treat games and story time, Prairie Dawn is learning at Best Friends Animal S...
Trust, one spoonful at a time
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Starling the cat interacting with the Handy Hank artificial hand

Meet Handy Hank, a helping hand for shy cats

With the help of a special training tool, a shy cat named Starling is learning tha...
A touch of confidence
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Kenneth the cat affectionately rubbing heads with Brian another cat

The one-cat welcoming committee

Kenneth helps other shy felines like him feel comfortable at Best Friends Animal S...
Helping other shy cats shine
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Notorious B.U.N. the rabbit outside in flowers

Springtime buzz at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

At the Sanctuary, the season of renewal brings fresh energy, new lives, and quiet ...
Fresh starts into lasting change
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Shiro the husky in the snow

Second chance for a pup with brucellosis

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Shiro is receiving top-notch veterinary care, pl...
Loving life in his home-between-homes
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Dr. Erin Katribe assessing Sadie the cat

Best Friends’ own named shelter veterinarian of the year

A national honor recognizing Dr. Erin Katribe’s work in shelter medicine.
She’s shaping the field in real time
Julie Castle Blog
Marge the dog holding a ball in her mouth outside in front of a person

Faces of No-Kill: One smart cookie of a dog

Marge fills her days at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary with nose work, stick “redec...
Approaching every day with exuberant joy
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Liz Tran lying beside Sage the dog, who is licking her face

Adoption update: The tail wag that wiggled one dog home

Sage gathered a collection of fans — and stuffies — at Best Friends Animal Sanctua...
A full-on love connection
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