Pet Adoption Stories

King Julian the dog standing up on his hind legs with his mouth open in a wide smile

Tiny pup goes from bald to beautiful in foster home

When King Julian landed at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, he wasn’t feeling like royalty. But with some time and TLC, now his health reigns supreme.
Now he's all smiles
Feature
Bert the dog lying in the grass on his back with his feet up

Dog’s story of healing will give you all the feels

Surgery would allow Bert to walk and run without pain. But he would need months of special care in a foster home to recover.
Special bond forms at foster home
Feature
Penelope the cat lying down with her leg in a cast in front of her

Faces of No-Kill: TLC saves sweet mama cat

Penelope came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in rough shape with more than 50 other cats. But her sweet, spunky spirit and lots of TLC saved the day.
Recovery leads to adoption
Feature
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
Feature
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
Video
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
Feature
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
Video
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
Feature
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
Feature
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
Feature