Foster Programs Stories

Willow the dog being adopted

Once abandoned mama dog gets new, fun, fabulous life on a farm

Adopters, a foster home and Best Friends staffers go the distance to bring sweet Willow to full health and into a wonderful forever home.
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Blu the dog lying on a couch

Sweet lullabies help puppy heal and find a home

Blu was shy and had a painful skin condition, but a foster volunteer helped the puppy grow confidence (plus hair) and he’s thriving in a new home.
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Person wearing medical attire lying on ground with Willie the puppy

Blind puppy learns how to navigate his world

Willie may not be able to see, but with help from his foster family, he can tackle any obstacle (except maybe going downstairs).
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Baby Scout the kitten with her new family

North Dakota shelter steps up to help others

Souris Valley Animal Shelter puts Best Friends grant funds to good use, which includes supporting other shelters.
See how grant helps North Dakota shelter
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iHop and Waffle House the rabbits with greens to eat

Blind bunny and her seeing-eye brother find safety at Best Friends

IHop may not be able to see the world around her, but with her brother, Waffle House, by her side there’s nothing to fear.
Best Friends Magazine
Molly the dog with Madison sitting in an entryway for a door, between two bushes

Inspired by one extraordinary senior dog to adopt another

After fostering a dog who required a little extra time to get used to living in a home, a couple is inspired to adopt a dog with the same need.
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Breonna with Pumba the cat in her lap

Spicy cat’s ‘instruction manual’ helps her get adopted

Best Friends foster volunteers wrote tips for making friends with Pumba, a cat with larger-than-average tortitude, to help her thrive in her new home.
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Family sitting on couch with two beagles

New homes for 21 abandoned beagles

People and rescue organizations, including Best Friends, come together to help save 21 beagles in an empty foreclosed home.
Best Friends Magazine
Ranko holding Soba the senior dachshund in front of a pine tree and blue sky

Out of more than 100 foster pets, volunteer adopts the blind senior dachshund

A long-time foster volunteer yields to temptation and adopts a senior dachshund with special needs.
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The Cochran family walking two basset hounds

Fostering dogs a family affair for this foursome

Family with two young girls is hooked on helping homeless dogs after fostering two senior basset hounds.
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Mama cat Agave with one of her litters of kittens, licking one of them

A most extraordinary mama cat’s love knows no bounds

First-time foster volunteers team up to care for a mama cat and her family, but little did they know more kittens were on the way.
Best Friends Magazine
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Preventing crisis in our nation’s shelters

We need a Katrina-level outpouring of support from the public to bring an end to the crisis happening in our nation's shelters.
Julie Castle Blog
Screen shot from 'Drive Home' PSA video

Drive home

It's kitten season. Open your home to a bundle of love.
Watch the video
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Screen shot from Kittens video parody of 'Friends'

Kittens: The reunion

Your favorite stars are back as kittens to celebrate the hit series 'Friends,' fostering and saving lives. Join Joey, Ross, Chandler, Phoebe, Monica and Rachel in a parody remake.
Watch the video
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Screen shot of woman talking to a dog, with them both on a couch and a Best Friends logo behind them

It's not you, it's me

Let's get real about long-term commitment issues, a testimonial from a pet foster.
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