Caring for Pets Stories

Johnny the little tabby kitten

Kitten comes back from the brink

Johnny was unresponsive when he arrived at Best Friends, but now he’s either playing or cuddling with his feline BFF.
Watch the video
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Precious the black and white cat

Paralyzed cat has sweet spirit that can’t be stopped

Life for Precious hasn’t always been easy or kind, but she never fails to find something to purr about.
Read about her progress
Best Friends Magazine
Elle the smiling white puppy with blue eyes outside on grass

Puppy takes leg surgery in stride

Elle no longer has a front leg, but that doesn’t stop her from living life to the fullest.
See her recovery
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Shenzi and Bonsai the puppies sitting outside on some sand

Puppy sisters shine after beating parvo, distemper

Shenzi and Bonsai survived two life-threatening diseases, and now they’re finally getting to enjoy puppyhood.
Life is now all fun and games
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Bunny the puppy in her foster home

First-time dog foster volunteer helps puppy heal

An energetic puppy with a broken leg receives crate rest and lots of love in her foster home.
Bunny gets the care she needed
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Maryanne Dailey with Rosie

Maryanne Pagonis: Her will is her way of giving back

There is nothing Maryanne Pagonis wouldn’t do for her beloved dog Rosie — nor for Best Friends for bringing the two of them together.
Her will is her way of giving back.
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Tinker Toy the kitten lying on a rainbow colored blanket with paw prints

Brave kitten’s big new life

Tinker Toy came to Best Friends with chronic fractures in both front legs, but today she’s all play and love.
See her overcome adversity
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The torbi cat looking at the camera

Cat conquers ringworm, finds confidence in foster home

Savannah was shy and had a bad skin condition — two issues that only strengthened a couple’s resolve to help her.
Read about her overcoming challenges
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Porcini hte black and white cat sitting on a wood floor

Cat goes from skinny and itchy to healthy at home

Porcini looked and felt terrible, but with veterinary care and diligent TLC from a foster volunteer, he’s now living his best life.
Watch his journey
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Leonsio the blind orange tabby cat lying on a couch with a Hello Kitty pillow behind him

Blind cat sees the good in everything

Leonsio couldn’t see at all and was skinny and matted when he was found outdoors, but he still sought love and gave it in return.
See how far he's come
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Karigan the dog with a cast on one leg behind a bookshelf next to a smiling person sitting in an office chair

Dog found on highway survives, thrives, and goes home

Karigan was barely alive and couldn’t move after likely being hit by a car, but after lifesaving care and surgery, she’s thriving in her new home.
Now she's living her best life
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Reba Schnyder and Elliot Tolkin holding Cricket the puppy, outside on a lawn

Lessons in patience from a puppy

After hip replacement surgery and TLC from foster caregivers, a puppy stands on her own four feet again.
Cricket makes herself at home
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Dolly the calico kitten on a blue blanket playing with a rainbow colored fleece toy

From tongue to tail, kitten thrives after trauma

Dolly was in rough shape — covered in ticks, incontinent, with sores on her tongue — but now she is feeling fine and even using the litter box on her own.
Read about her recovery
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Fluff Fluff the black and white cat looking forward

Cat teaches adopter that every day is a gift

Fluff Fluff has a serious heart condition, but that doesn’t stop her from playing, loving, and living life to the fullest.
How her story helped find her a home
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Person scratching the chin of Cash the dog

Dog who temporarily lost sight has friends to lean on

When Cash temporarily lost his sight, he became extra nervous about being petted — but his friends are helping him slowly open back up.
Patience helps him open up
Best Friends Magazine