Stories

Kaley and Joe Mans with Olympia the dog between them

Dog adopters stream live, fun-filled fundraiser

Dancing, challenges, and getting pied in the face were all part of Kaley and Joe Mans’ live online fundraiser for Best Friends.
See how they did
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Theo the dog with his smiling adopter hugging him in the back seat of a vehicle

Pets living the good life with new families

From cross-species companions to a happy ending straight out of a script, here are six fun stories about pets who recently went home from Best Friends.
Share in the joy
Best Friends Magazine
Happy black and tan dog lying on a gray cushion

Cat and dog stories to spark joy

Best Friends Network Partners across the country share their tales about animals whose lives are now shining bright.
See these good news stories
Best Friends Magazine
Brown tabby cat in a dark kennel

Tales of random acts of kindness toward animals

From a community that rallied for an ailing cat to a man who jumped in frigid water to help a dog and his human, these stories will inspire you.
See how they make a difference
Best Friends Magazine
Orange tabby cat licking the forehead of a person wearing an orange hoodie

You (yes, you) are a cat trainer

Samantha Bell, Best Friends’ cat expert, explains how if you’ve interacted with a feline, you’ve trained a cat.
Learn the power of positive reinforcement
Best Friends Magazine
Person wearing an animal services officer shirt holding a small dog or puppy backwards over his shoulder in a kennel area

Helping small animal shelters has a big impact

Best Friends is leveraging the power of networking and peer mentoring to engage organizations and help save lives.
See how mentorships help save cats and dogs
Best Friends Magazine
Moose the dog lying on a gray cushion with a toy between his front legs

The sixth time’s the charm for an energetic dog

Moose’s energy and anxiety proved too much for most people to handle, but today he’s in a home where he’s flourishing.
Now he's flourishing
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Painting of two happy parakeets (one green and one blue) with their eyes closed

Artists spread joy and highlight homeless pets

The team of artists at Art While Apart give pets of all shapes and sizes the model treatment with colorful, cute, and eye-catching illustrations.
See their work
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Person scratching the chin of Cash the dog

Dog who temporarily lost sight has friends to lean on

When Cash temporarily lost his sight, he became extra nervous about being petted — but his friends are helping him slowly open back up.
Patience helps him open up
Best Friends Magazine
Buddy the brown Chihuahua mix standing outside

Anxious dog goes home with his kindred spirit

Buddy had a strict no-touch policy that couldn’t be broken — until he met his human counterpart.
Now they sleep together every night
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Susan Fishbein sitting outside in the sand with a large brown dog

Volunteers expand homeless dogs’ worlds

From walks and car etiquette to first-time sleepovers and long-term fostering, Susan and Dan Fishbein have opened many doors for dogs at the Sanctuary.
They've become invaluable team members
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Volunteers Russ and Elizabeth Duszak in front of a display at the Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Northwest Arkansas

Nearly 2 decades of volunteering with Best Friends

Russ Duszak, a commercial pilot, and his wife, Elizabeth, have volunteered in animal care, done transports, worked events, and fostered kittens for 17 years.
Helping Best Friends animals around the country
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Group of volunteers from a Best Friends in Houston takeover day at a local animal shelter

Volunteers team up to support Texas shelters

Best Friends volunteers go into shelters for a full day of doing whatever the shelter staff need help with the most.
Providing extra support and enrichment to pets
Best Friends Magazine
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 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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