No-Kill 2025 Stories

Shepherd-type dog in a home setting

3.4% fewer animals were killed in shelters so far in 2024

Best Friends’ latest data shows a turning point for shelters across the country.
Let’s celebrate the positive momentum in lifesaving
Julie Castle Blog
Tabby kitten lying on a gray blanket with another cat in the background

Virginia’s no-kill commitment: A big win for pets in the commonwealth

Virginia Loves Shelter Animals Month encourages no-kill in 2025.
This isn’t just a declaration — it’s a rallying cry
Julie Castle Blog
Group of people and dogs walking on a path in Strut Your Mutt outside surrounded by trees and grass

Sit, stay, strut: Thousands raised to bring pets home

Best Friends’ 2024 Strut Your Mutt fundraising walk and festival benefited animal welfare organizations in and around Salt Lake City.
Strutting to Save Them All
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Person with a dog with a downed tree in Florida after Hurricane Milton

Best Friends' lifesaving work in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton

A summary of our crisis response over the past three weeks
Helping shelters and communities in need
Julie Castle Blog
Maddie the dog lying down on a gray cushion

230 dogs in Dallas shelter get fresh start

Best Friends grants and dozens of organizations coming together give second chances to hundreds of dogs at Dallas Animal Services.
Collaboration saves lives
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Person kissing a small dog, both in the front seat of a vehicle

Affordable vet care helps Louisiana pets

Rachael Ray Save Them All Grant supports The Inner Pup’s low-cost veterinary services to help pets stay in their homes with their families.
Helping people and their pets
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Happy dog on a leash next to a child in a shelter environment

No-kill 101: Keeping pets at home and out of shelters

Understand why your local animal shelter might ask you to make an appointment — and how it’s different from turning away pets in need.
Vital programs that prioritize lifesaving
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Black and white pit-bull-type dog in a home setting on a multi-colored rug

PETA again takes aim at the no-kill movement

What's up with PETA?
Read my thoughts
Julie Castle Blog
Amra and Rhonda the dogs beside a pick-up truck at Dogtown

40 fun facts about Best Friends Animal Society

Celebrate Best Friends’ 40th anniversary with little-known fun facts about the Sanctuary, the animals, and the people who started it all.
Learn more
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Francis Battista with multiple dogs outside in Angel Canyon

Reflections on our relationship to pets

Ultimately, animals are essential to our wholeness as human beings, so we must save those in shelters. 
The core of our mission to end the killing in shelters
Best Friends Magazine
Black, brown and white dog with upright ears

Reinstate funding and staff positions at Los Angeles Animal Services

Tax dollars should not fund the killing of dogs and cats in shelters.
Funding and staffing should be dedicated to lifesaving
Julie Castle Blog
Cricket

Yes, I’m going there: My thoughts on Kristi Noem killing her dog Cricket

How could a no-kill organization not weigh in?
Read my thoughts
Julie Castle Blog
Childing hugging a brown puppy who is wearing a red bandana

From Times Square with love

Pop-up event in New York City spreads the message to help get pets out of shelters and into homes.
See some puppies and familiar faces
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Smiling person rubbing the belly of a dog lying on his side

Killing in shelters would end if 6% more people adopted

Best Friends takes over Times Square to bring love home.
Help get more dogs and cats out of shelters and into homes
Julie Castle Blog
Emily Hirtle in a vehicle holding a small black puppy with a gloved hand

Meeting the challenge of saving pets in Mississippi

Best Friends is implementing proven strategies at the Rankin County Animal Shelter so that more dogs and cats get the second chances they deserve.
Shelter save rate increasing
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