Sanctuary Stories

Person wearing scrubs and a stethoscope holding a black and white at

Clinical trials aim to save cats from deadly FIP virus

Best Friends participates in clinical trials of potentially lifesaving antiviral treatments for cats.
Working for a lifesaving treatment
Best Friends Magazine
Samara the black cat sitting on her caregiver's shoulders

Cat’s transformation from scary to sweet

Samara went from hissing and growling to cuddly and confident with help from his new friends at Cat World.
See how she's blossomed
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Elton and Hannah the dogs next to Tom, a Dogtown caregiver

A most joyful doggy duo

Feeling the holiday blues? Meet Hannah and Elton, dogs with a chronic condition called brucellosis, who are best known for their capacity for love and happiness.
Senior duo get lots of love and care
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Person holding Emmett the lamb in her arms

Orphaned lamb is beloved black sheep of the family

Things looked grim for Emmett when he lost his mother shortly after he was born, but with his new family flock, this lamb is thriving.
From bottle baby to adolescent
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Woodrow the cat with Jane Brodziak in the background

Unforgettable 18-year-old cat goes home

A volunteer met Woodrow at Best Friends six years ago, never forgot him and now he’s living his golden years at home with her.
Worth the wait
Best Friends Magazine
Spiderman the cockatoo holding a toy in his beak

How Spiderman got his groove back

Cockatoo lived in distress for a long time, but now he’s all about dancing and shouting his name with joy
See how his life has changed
Best Friends Magazine
Person wearing Best Friends sweatshirt walking Willow the mule on a lead

U.S Forest Service mule coasts into retirement

Willow worked for two decades, and now she’s soaking up the sweet life without responsibilities and loving it.
Retirement suits her well
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Edna the poodle wearing an orange bandanna standing between a person's legs

Blind miniature poodle pup blossoms in foster home

Edna is wobbly, blind and had severe trauma reactions that seemed like seizures, but thanks to vet care and her foster family, she’s like a new dog.
See how she's blossomed
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Jake the dog lying on a multi-colored parachute

From at-risk dog to therapy pet in training

Jake was on a shelter’s euthanasia list before coming to Best Friends, but in his new home, he’ll make a difference for people — with play therapy.
Read about his new career
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The baby hummingbird on a branch next to some flowers

Baby hummingbird flies free

A tiny, orphaned bird gets a second chance at Best Friends
Her road to recovery
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Sansa the dog outside while it's snowing

8 adoptable big dogs destined to be influencers

Instagram is the spot for charming characters, exciting adventures and good-time goofs, and these big dogs will fit right in.
Meet these picture perfect pups
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Elvis the dog next to Mary inside her house

Anxious hound loves his R & R

Life can get overwhelming for Elvis, but sleepovers with friends ensure this hound dog isn’t “cryin’ all the time.”
Elvis' practice for a home of his own
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Person sitting on a bench while Bear the dog lies in her lap

6 large, lovely lapdogs

If they fit, they sit.
Have lap? Will sit!
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Best Friends co-founder Celeste Fripp with a shepherd dog

Celeste Fripp, a woman who could do it all

Remembering and paying tribute to a Best Friends co-founder
Honoring her memory
Julie Castle Blog
A hand reaching down to pet the mama cat with the kittens in the foreground

Cat family finds help at a local construction site

When construction workers spotted a litter of newborn kittens in the middle of their work zone, they made sure they got them somewhere safe.
Read about the team effort
Best Friends Magazine