Protecting Community Cats Stories

Calico community cat with an ear-tip outside beside a chain-link fence

Cats in Wyoming get a lifesaving lift

A powerful trap-neuter-vaccinate-return collaboration is helping outdoor cats and building on Wyoming’s no-kill momentum.
Community support makes all the difference
Feature
Dog gets some love at the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia

No-kill animal shelters: The new normal in America

From a large shelter in Las Vegas to a smaller one in rural Georgia, U.S. animal shelters are steadily moving toward no-kill.
Steady progress saves more lives
Feature
Renee Skipper holding a cat in front of a kennel

How a journey home to Alabama saved dogs and cats

When Lisa Barrett returned to her hometown on assignment for Best Friends, she proved that when it comes to saving pets’ lives, yes, you can go home again.
Great things happening at Dothan Animal Shelter
Feature
Mama cat nursing kittens

Small but mighty: How 3 rural shelters save cats

Three Southern, rural shelters are no-kill today because of their programs that save cats rather than kill them.
Saving lives together
Feature
Liz and Erica, with one holding a cat

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

How Chicagoans are stepping up for community cats
Cats in Action works to support and create community cat programs in the Windy City
Julie Castle Blog
Cream and white kitten lying in a bed and meowing

How a N.J. shelter is changing the future for pets

Through a Rachael Ray No-Kill Excellence Grant, a shelter built lifesaving partnerships and helped three times as many cats.
Grant helps cats and changes lives
Feature
Johnney Ehrlich beside a window with a kitten

A little ‘tush push’ is sometimes all it takes

The power of teamwork and a well-timed push can be unstoppable.
A little push helps shelter with TNVR and other lifesaving programs
Julie Castle Blog
Dr. Lisa Williams with a feline patient in the mobile spay/neuter trailer

Teaming up to revive an Illinois community cat program

Coles County embraces a new program to spay and neuter community cats with support from a Best Friends grant.
Mobile clinic has been a game changer
Feature
Shepherd dog with a smiling animal control officer

Animal shelters embrace no-kill philosophy

A mindset to save lives means large animal shelters are maintaining no-kill even when the going gets tough.
They’ve maintained no-kill despite challenges
Best Friends Magazine
Small brown dog smiling with tongue out, outside on a leash held by a person

Progress for pets: Looking back at a year of advocacy

Best Friends and advocates nationwide are changing policies to create brighter futures for pets.
Some of the year's wins
Best Friends Magazine
Bongo the cat after the surgery on his eyes

Cat regains sight thanks to dedicated volunteers

When volunteers discovered Bongo had a dangerous eye condition, they went above and beyond to help this community cat.
His second chance at life
Video
Four people in front of a Fresh Step branded van with a live trap covered with tie-die material

117 cats spayed or neutered in surgery marathon

After receiving comprehensive vet care, these cats are ready to live their healthiest lives.
Single day event in Northwest Arkansas
Feature
Dilute tortoiseshell community cat with tipped ear in front of a vehicle

Community cats: The Tweety vs. Sylvester debate

No-kill, TNVR, and finding common ground
Response to article in The New Yorker
Julie Castle Blog
Staff from the Inyo County Animal Shelter outside with a couple dogs

Helping a small rural animal shelter sustain no-kill

In Inyo County, California, ninth largest county in the nation, a small animal shelter is reorganizing for continued success.
Learn what they're doing
Feature
Boots the gray and white cat outside on a rock

Rescued cat lands gig at garden center

Boots has perfect attendance, is a team player, and has a knack for making customers feel comfortable.
See how she improves morale
Video