Got Love on the Brain? A Dog or Cat May Be Just What You Need This Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air! Across the country, Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats across the country and take the country no-kill*, is making love connections for people and pets through adoption and foster opportunities.
"There are few things as special as the unconditional love of a pet,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “Choosing to open your heart and your home to a dog or cat this Valentine’s Day can be a lifechanging experience for both of you. That’s why across the country we’re encouraging everyone to get in the Valentine’s Day spirit this weekend and spread a little love to shelter pets in your area.”
Below are just a few opportunities to bring love home – permanently or temporarily – this Valentine’s weekend:
Valentine’s Day Eve Foster Sleepovers at Best Friends Locations Across the Country
Timing: February 13
Location: Nationwide
Details: Skip the roses and prix fixe dinner and opt for a one-night foster sleepover with an adoptable dog or cat. This event is more than just a cute gimmick - giving pets a temporary home, even just for a night, allows them to decompress and relax while they search for a loving home to call their own. For more details on how to participate, check out your nearest Best Friends location: Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Northwest Arkansas, Salt Lake City, or the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.
Fresh Step “Date Cats, Not Humans” Campaign with Best Friends
Timing: February 13-15
Location: Nationwide
Details: This Valentine’s Day, Fresh Step and Ariana Madix are inspiring singles to skip the drama that comes with dating humans and look for a love connection with an adoptable cat. In this new campaign, “Date Cats, Not Humans,” adoptable cats from Best Friends are taking over Bumble in February, giving users the opportunity to “swipe right” and make a real connection with a feline friend. Fresh Step will cover cat adoption fees at Best Friends locations nationwide during Valentine’s Day weekend, plus free cat litter for adopters. For more information, visit bestfriends.org/freshstep.
Glen Rose “Be Mine Valentine” Adoption Event
Timing: February 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Glen Rose Animal Control, 1685 Hereford Street, Glen Rose, TX
Details: Glen Rose Animal Control is teaming up with Best Friends to host the “Be Mine Valentine” adoption event this Valentine’s Day. Adoption fees will be covered by Best Friends, and all adoptable pets will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. Every adopter will also receive a goody bag filled with sweet essentials. Visit Glen Rose Animal Control Facebook page for more information.
Jacksonville “Love is a Four-Legged Word” Adoption Event
Timing: February 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Jacksonville Animal Services, 217 S. Redmond Road, Jacksonville, AR
Details: This Valentine’s Day, Jacksonville Animal Services is hosting the “Love is a Four-Legged Word” adoption event in collaboration with Best Friends. More than 80 dogs and cats will be looking for loving homes, and shelter staff will play matchmaker, helping to connect people with pets. All adoptable cats and dogs will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and pet adoption fees will be covered by Best Friends. For more information, visit the Jacksonville Animal Services Facebook page.
Valentine’s Day Party with Best Friends at Revival Dog Training
Timing: February 14 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Revival Dog Training University, 92 E. 7th Street, New York, NY
Details: Join Best Friends at Revival Dog Training University for a Valentine’s Day party celebrating pets, people, and adoption. The free, pet-friendly event will feature live pet portraits from a sketch artist and readings from a pet psychic. Adoptable dogs from Best Friends will be onsite looking for love. Visit the Revival Dog Training Instagram for more information.
Blind Date with a Dog
Timing: February 14
Location: Riverside County Department of Animal Services, 6851 Van Buren Blvd Jurupa Valley, CA 92509
Details: Riverside County Department of Animal Services is hosting a heartwarming Valentine’s Day experience where participants enjoy an overnight Dog Day Out with a shelter pup. Meet well-mannered, adoption-ready dogs who’ve been patiently waiting for their chance to charm potential family members through cuddles, walks, and quality one-on-one time. With limited spots available, this unique event offers animal lovers a meaningful (and adorable) way to celebrate Valentine’s Day while helping shelter dogs find loving homes. Visit Riverside County Animal Services Facebook page for more information.
The Paw-Effect Match at Miami-Dade Animal Services
Timing: February 1-14
Location: Miami Dade Animal Services 3599 NW 79th Ave, Doral, FL 33122
Details: Miami-Dade recently launched The Paw-effect Match, a Valentine’s-themed adoption initiative that invites the community to find their match, with adoption fees waived for all long-term shelter residents. The initiative runs through Saturday, February 14.
For more information about how to adopt or foster a pet with Best Friends or a local animal shelter, please visit bestfriends.org.
*No-kill is defined by a 90% save rate for animals entering a shelter and is a meaningful and common-sense benchmark for measuring lifesaving progress. Typically, the number of pets who are suffering from irreparable medical or behavioral issues that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being rehomed is not more than 10% of all dogs and cats entering shelters. For any community to be no-kill, all stakeholders in that community must work together to achieve and sustain that common goal while prioritizing community safety and good quality of life for pets as guiding no-kill principles. This means cooperation among animal shelters, animal rescue groups, government agencies, community members and other stakeholders, all committed to best practices and protocols.