Foster Programs Stories

Magnus the dog in a person's lap

Magnanimous dog blossoms in foster care

Magnus’ foster caregivers showed this senior dog just how wonderful life can be.
Now his spirit shines
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A profile of Yazh the dog

Resilient pup overcomes injury, learns to walk again

Yazh is back on all four legs thanks to the dedicated efforts of her foster family and the Best Friends veterinary team.
See her now!
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Person snuggling and kissing the top of the head of a dog lying on his hap

13 stories of volunteers who save pets’ lives

They’re all amazing, and they all show up time and again to pitch in and help pets go from shelters to homes.
Showing appreciation for all their help
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Fizz the young kitten with eyes still closed with head lying on a knitted toy

Bubbly kitten thrives after emergency C-section

Quick action from the Best Friends vet team saved the lives of Fizz and his mother, Soda.
Around the clock care saves Fizz
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Diana Ross the dog, very happy outside with a person sitting next to her

Diana Ross the dog finds her endless love

Ain’t no mountain high enough to keep a once-stray dog from getting to a new home, thanks to a dedicated foster caregiver.
Second time’s a charm
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Boone the dog receiving a veterinary exam

Life on 3 legs doesn't slow down perky pup

Boone’s journey home included a life-changing surgery and a dedicated foster volunteer who guided him through recovery.
He becomes a foster win
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Selfie of Victor with Dakota the dog whose tongue is out

Faces of No-Kill: Beloved senior dog goes home

After bouncing from place to place for a decade, Dakota finally has the stability and unconditional love she deserves.
Now life is all about the simple pleasures
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Miles the kitten in his cart

Faces of No-Kill: Kitty gets kicking with care and a cart

A kitten alone by the side of the road dragging his back end, Miles needed help fast — and at the Sanctuary, he got just that.
Physical therapy is working wonders
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Yazh the puppy in here dog wheelchair, with her mouth open in a smile

Survivor puppy shows big love for life

A bullet wound left Yazh paralyzed in her hind end, but she didn’t let it slow her down for a second.
Her foster home now provides consistency and routine
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Tina Turner the dog, lying on the floor, being hugged by a person

Foster home is simply the best for mama dog and pups

What’s love got to do with it? How a dog named Tina Turner and her puppies were a case of foster love at first sight for an 11-year-old girl.
She now has a new name and home
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Rhett and Alfie the cats together in a kennel on some blankets

Faces of No-Kill: Supporting super-shy cat brothers

Rhett and Alfie were so shut down that it became an emergency — but with help, they bounced back and blossomed.
From foster to famliy
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Spots the dog lying on the floor with eyes closed and mouth open smiling with Ellie behind him petting his chest

Senior dog finds love on the beaches of California

Spots came to Best Friends with an aggressive form of cancer and captured the heart of his foster person.
Read about their deep connection
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Piglet, the black and white tuxedo kitten, sitting in a cardboard box

Mending a kitten's broken heart

Kitten survives emergency open-chest surgery and thrives in his foster home.
Foster home becomes permanent
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Sonny the puppy wearing an orange Puppy Bowl bandanna

A puppy’s journey part 1: A star is born

How a puppy named Sonny went from alone on a roadside in Alabama to a shelter and then a foster home where his whole life changed
The start of Sonny's journey
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Ira Shankman wearing a Best Friends hat and holding Sonny the puppy, who is wearing hos orange bandanna

A puppy’s journey part 2: Puppy Bowl XX

Sonny joins the starting lineup on Team Ruff in Puppy Bowl XX.
He represents well
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