Stories

Britt the dog wearing a jacket holding a large stick in her mouth

Senior pup finds her smile again

Britt came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary shrouded in a cloud of anxiety. Now she’s romping with her besties and chasing sticks like they owe her money.
She's thriving in her home-between-homes
Feature
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
Gary Slusher holding the Chihuahua-corgi mix he adopted in front of a mural featuring dogs in a covered wagon

Lifesaving tales: Pets who make life better

Best Friends supporters share how their pets have made a significant impact on their lives.
Stories of how their rescued pets have changed their lives
Feature
The face of Coral, the mama dog, wearing a red collar

Faces of No-Kill: Mama dog beats the odds

How a dog without a home hung on until she and her pups landed the good life
It was destiny
Feature
Emery holding Greenie the dog affectionately at the ranch with horses and rock formations in the background

Greener pastures for a shy mama dog

Greenie arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary as a shy mama dog. Now, she’s thriving on a ranch with mini horses, donkeys, and plenty of room to roam.
She has a home and a purpose now
Feature
Ricky Bowry with a dog

7 days, 7 marathons: Helping pets and people

A team of athletes is adventuring across Utah to challenge themselves and raise funds for causes they love, including Best Friends.
They're raising thousands of dollars
Feature
Michelle Hood with Benton the dog

Rescued dog helps marathoner chase Six Star dream

Adopting Benton gave him a second chance and helped Michelle accomplish her biggest running goal.
Adoption inspires woman to give back in a bigger way
Feature
Two people petting a happy puppy

Celebrating the heart of Best Friends: Volunteers

Volunteers with Best Friends give their time, energy, and love to help animals thrive.
Recognizing the incredible individuals who give so much
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
Jessa the dog with her adopters outside in some dried grass

Faces of No-Kill: Storybook ending for a senior dog

An 11-year-old dog left a couple spellbound when they met her at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Now, she’s queen of their castle.
Jessa has her happily ever after
Feature
Dr. Christina Boekhout holding Stone Cold the cat who is wearing a protective e-collar

Faces of No-Kill: Cat noses way into vet’s heart

During Stone Cold’s time in treatment for a hole in his nose, this charming gray tabby won over everyone he met — including his surgeon.
Now he's found love
Video
Lowe the tabby cat in his foster home

Cat who loses a leg gains a lot of love

Lowe, a brown tabby with three legs and a familiar look, leaves his harrowing past behind.
Now his playful spirit shines
Video
Rainbow the dog, smiling with mouth open

Faces of No-Kill: Solutions for dog with special needs

From a neurological condition and seizures to a penchant for pebbles, Rainbow has a lot going on — but her main concern is having fun with friends.
Her personality now shines
Best Friends Magazine
Marshall Pet Adoption Center giving an injection to a puppy

Animal shelter saves pets even when the going gets tough

Faced with an overabundance of dogs and cats and a depleted staff, a new shelter manager in Marshall, Texas, got a helping hand to turn things around.
Now they're looking ahead with confidence
Feature
Stickers the cat on a chair in a home

Senior cat trades sunbeams for snowflakes

First-time cat adopters find love at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary with a senior kitty named Stickers. Now he’s thriving in his cozy new home in Alaska.
Now he's a different cat
Feature