Sanctuary Stories

Billy the dog all smiles with a bit of tooth peeking out from under his tongue with a person behind him

How a snaggletoothed pup went from hurt to happy

When Billy arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, he could barely walk. Now he ...
Now he's living the good life
Feature
Sam Junqua and Emma Besier sitting on a couch holding foster kitten with a cat beside them on the armrest

Pro athlete and fiancée score big for kittens

By opening their home (and hearts) to homeless kittens, Sam and Emma are proving t...
Despite moving, family continues to foster kittens
Feature
Josh the dog in his wheelchair in a shallow water feature with a person behind him

Faces of No-Kill: Meet the pink-wheeled pirate pup

With his pink wheelchair, pirate flag, and love of stuffed toys, Josh is showing t...
He's rolling toward happiness
Feature
Two people with Jack and Noah the donkeys, with one of the donkeys kissing one of the people

Meet 2 donkeys who have a lot to say

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Noah and Jack were known for their big voices. N...
They're now living their best donkey lives
Feature
Jeanine leading Chester the pig onto a scale

From pigs to spreadsheets, these 2 volunteers do it all

Volunteers are essential to keep Best Friends Animal Sanctuary running, and Jeanin...
The Sanctuary has become their second home
Feature
Maryanne Pagonis with her hand holding the paw of Magpie the dog

Celebrities honor the pets who touched their lives

During Pet Memorial Month and all year long, we celebrate the joy and love pets br...
Honoring their memories
Feature
Black and white cat on a fluffy pink chair beside a teal pillow

Home and loving it: 4 pet adoption stories

From playful kittens to wise senior dogs, these adoption stories show how pets bri...
See the happiness
Best Friends Magazine
Rochelle and two others at the Best Friends sign by the Welcome Center

One volunteer’s lifetime of care for animals

From adoption events to RV trips to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Rochelle Fraser...
She's shared the magic with others as well
Feature
Two yellow, orange and green parrots, with one holding a nugget of food in her foot

Happy hour gives parrots a taste of the wild

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, parrot happy hour serves up choice — and a treat...
Making foraging fun
Video
Photo from the perspective of being in a vehicle, with a Beware of Dog sign reflected backwards in the windshield with a dog running in the street surrounded by destroyed houses

How Hurricane Katrina changed animal rescue forever

Twenty years later, lessons from the storm response still guide Best Friends and t...
A storm that changed everything
Best Friends Magazine
Keala Richter sitting on the ground beside Phoenix and Thumbelina the rabbits

Skittish bunny goes from panic to peace

Phoenix came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary scared of pretty much everything. Bu...
And now he's helping another bunny buddy
Feature
Kieran Corrigan with another person and a dog

Running Grand to Grand for homeless pets

Through 171 miles of desert terrain, the Best Friends team is running with heart a...
Running for something bigger than a finish line
Feature
Flora the tabby cat lying on a bed in a sunbeam

How a cat named Flora got her second chance

When Flora landed at Best Friends with 84 other cats, she was cautious and shy — b...
Cerebellar hypoplasia doesn't slow her down
Feature
Kittens with a mama cat in a crate

Where copious kitten cuteness meets lifesaving care

Every cat begins life as a tiny, vulnerable fluffball. Check out a few adorable fa...
Serious and rewarding business
Video
Multiple horses in a grassy field with red rock formations in the background

When horses are the teachers

Working with horses at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary fosters trust, healing, and c...
Demonstrations are as much for the animals as the visitors
Video