Pet Adoption Stories

Emma Odekirk sitting on the ground with Valley the dog and a small brown puppy

Time, training, and love transform nervous dog

When Valley arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, she was anxious about most everything. Now, she’s teaching puppies how to be confident dogs.
She's transformed
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Apollo and Jasper the cats sitting next to each other

Big bobtail cats go from matted to majestic

After some time and care in a foster home, cat brothers Apollo and Jasper are now living their best lives with a family who adores them.
Meet the majestic brothers
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Sego the dog sitting on a bench between Sandy and Richard Garrett

Helping a skittish dog learn to trust

Like some people, some dogs just need a bit more time than others to build trust. And that’s just what Sego found when he met Richard and Sandy Garrett.
Now he's blossoming in his new home
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Doug the dog wearing his sunglasses

Faces of No-Kill: Bespectacled pup wins over family

Doug’s future is so bright he’s gotta wear shades.
His sunglasses serve both fashion and function
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Smiling person holding three kittens in her arms

Changes to rescue, adoption practices save more animals

How one organization increased home placement by 2,133%
Challenge grants are helping to save lives
Julie Castle Blog
Blond retriever mix dog in a home environment

Don’t you just love happy endings for homeless pets?

Let’s find out how some of our Best Friends pets are settling into their new homes.
Updates from adopters
Best Friends Magazine
Coconut the tabby cat on a gray chair with a yellow and white print pillow

Pet adoptions that were meant to be

These families all came together in different ways, but the end result was the same: pets living in homes where they’re treasured.
Meet the newly adopted pets
Best Friends Magazine
David Herrin and his service dog, Preciosa who is attempting to lick his face

From shelter pup to service dog

After getting a second chance, Preciosa would change one man’s life forever.
Now they're a team
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Julie Castle with her dog Sunny

Celebrating our best friends on International Dog Day

Let’s be as good a friend to dogs as they have been to us
Let's do something for them
Julie Castle Blog
Black and white pit-bull-type dog in a home setting on a multi-colored rug

PETA again takes aim at the no-kill movement

What's up with PETA?
Read my thoughts
Julie Castle Blog
Bug the horse outside with another horse behind her

The courageous journey of a quirky, resilient horse

From injured foal to happy horse, Bug’s story is one for the books. Now she’s snug as a bug in her new home in Canada.
It was fate
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Kody the dog in her wheelchair next to Ranko Fukuda

Pup wheels her way right into adopter’s heart

Kody didn’t let an injury that left her hind end paralyzed slow her roll or keep her from finding love. Now she’s zooming around in a home of her own.
Special home for special-needs dog
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Bonny the dog with adopters Bevin and Cam

Doggy dating event helps pup find true love

Bonny went from solo to soulmate with the help of a dedicated foster volunteer.
Blind date leads to love
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J.J. McMahon and Whitey the dog in front of a metal sculpture of a dog at the Roadhouse

Adventurous dog helps heal adopter’s broken heart

When J.J. McMahon was looking for a furry friend and adventure buddy, he adopted Whitey from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. He found so much more.
Now a star is born
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Dogpool wearing her red outfit with tongue out

Award-winning animals

We bestow totally serious titles on some of the animals at Best Friends in honor of Peggy, canine star in “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
And the winners are ...
Best Friends Magazine