Stories

Volunteer Bill Splitter, smiling, between his two daughters Trischa and Elizabeth

Air Force vet to full-time volunteer with dogs

Volunteering changed veteran, dog lover, logistics legend, and epic animal transporter Bill Splitter’s life.
Remembering Bill's legacy
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Betty the Chihuahua from the television program "Wlll Trent"

ABC’s ‘Will Trent’ sponsors pet adoptions plus an adorable PSA

ABC and its new hit series 'Will Trent' are celebrating National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day by promoting pet adoptions with a new PSA and by covering pet adoption fees from April 28-30 at select Best Friends Animal Society locations.
Sponsoring adoptions and promoting animal rescue
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Volunteer wearing a Best Friends T-shirt sitting down and hand-feeding a treat to a dog

An enormous thank-you to Best Friends volunteers

This week is for you.
Celebrating volunteers who help animals nationwide
Julie Castle Blog
Ira and Vanni with two other people and a mascot wearing a cowboy hat with the word "Texas"

Friends speak up for pets in local shelters

Meet two 2025 Action Team volunteers in Weslaco, Texas, committed to saving pets in their community.
See grassroots advocacy at its finest
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Volunteer Lisa Zarek holding a black and white puppy

From finance exec to service for animals

Lisa Zarek supports new volunteers, coaches foster caregivers, and connects with shelters, all without leaving home.
Read what motivates her to volunteer
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Volunteer Cheryl Baker smiling and holding a gray and white kitten

Cat-loving L.A. volunteer donates over 5,000 hours

When Cheryl Baker and her husband, Paul, stopped for a tour while vacationing in Utah, little did they know that years later they would be devoted Best Friends volunteers.
She does a little of everything, including fostering
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Brenda and Marty Winnick smiling and holding an orange tabby cat

Volunteers work and play hard at Best Friends

For Brenda and Marty Winnick, volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary means making a difference and having a place to belong — and, of course, having fun.
They do a bit of everything
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Lorcan the cat peeking out of a hole in a leopard-print cat tunnel

Cat’s no-touch preference is no problem for adopter

Lorcan isn’t always comfortable being petted. In his new home, his need for space isn’t just tolerated, it’s celebrated.
See how he fits right in
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Alani the cat wearing a bandage on her paw playing with Simon the dog who is doing a play bow

Rescued dog and kitten are BFFs

Kitten with an injured paw finds a new best friend in Simon the dog
Watch their friendship blossom
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Ron Swanson and Pancake the dogs, on an agility platform, both smiling

Best friends at Best Friends: Pancake and Ron Swanson

Meet one of our favorite odd couples: two dogs known affectionately as “Roncake.”
Meet the best buds
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Herman the flamepoint kitten with blue eyes

Tiny kitten overcomes a big problem

Herman was just weeks old when he needed emergency vet care to survive, but today he’s recovered and in his new home.
Watch his improvement
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Kya the dog in the back seat of a vehicle

Dog gains the courage to trust

A once fearful pup finds safety with a patient, loving family who accepts her for who she is.
See her progress
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Smiling person scratching the chin of a brown and white dog

The new face of animal services in Fresno

Best Friends embed program assists Fresno Humane Animal Services in setting up a city animal services program.
See how the animals and people benefit
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Siamese mix cat with his paw on a baseball

Let's play ball and Save Them All!

To celebrate opening day of baseball season, we've assembled an all-star roster of baseball players who have adopted their pets.
Watch the video
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Dolly Parton the cat lying on a couch behind Scott

Three-legged cat is full of surprises

Dolly Parton’s new family was prepared to make their home accessible to her, and then she showed them how much she could do.
She made herself right at home
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