Stories

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
Bonito the dog smiling wide in a playgroup with another dog

Faces of No-Kill: Nervous dog becomes ambassador of fun

Bonito came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary as an anxious pup. Now he’s helping other dogs find their confidence through the power of play.
Now he's an ambassador of fun
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Person with a brown dog outside Pinellas County Animal Services following Hurricane Milton

Love of pets unites helpers in hurricane aftermath

Best Friends team members headed to Florida to provide relief to animal shelter staff, along with displaced people and their pets, after the hurricanes.
Offering selfless service to people and pets
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Swing the dog lying and the floor wearing sunglasses getting his pretend laser treatment

Dog’s no-laser therapy is almost as good as the real thing

When Swing was diagnosed with cancer, he had to stop laser therapy for arthritis. But that didn’t mean the therapy sessions he loved so much had to stop.
He still enjoys all the attention and love
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Ricardo Blanco the cat at the mobile veterinary clinic

Mobile vet care comes to pets impacted by hurricane

With many local vet clinics closed, Best Friends teams up with animal welfare groups and vets to bring care to North Carolina pets after Hurricane Helene.
Blanco gets the help he needs
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Sweet Pea the cat wearing her crocheted ears

A new set of ears for an injured cat

After everything Sweet Pea had been through, her foster volunteer wanted to do something special for her, leading to a one-of-a-kind creation.
Look at her now
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Person removing a large crate from a transport van

Pets get lifesaving lifts out of Hurricane Milton’s path

When Pinellas County Animal Services in Florida needed help moving animals prior to Hurricane Milton, Best Friends was ready to lend a hand.
Some instant connections were made
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Athena holding a smiling Gremlin the dog in her lap

From shy to safe: Dog with megawatt smile goes home

Gremlin needed a friend to help calm his nerves, which ended up leading to the match of a lifetime.
Now he's all smiles
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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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Emilie and Haley holding a litter of kittens

Helping hands for pets in 2 Florida shelters

Respite for animal shelter staff who have been working nonstop to care for pets impacted by hurricanes
Read about this much-needed assistance
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‘The Ascension of Heidi’ book cover

Book review: ‘The Ascension of Heidi’

Animals find their way to us for many reasons. In this memoir, the author explores how her dogs have been teachers and healers.
Read about the sacred nature of animals and how they share it
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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
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Person holding a puppy

Saving dogs and cats caught in Hurricane Helene’s wake

Best Friends is in the Southeast to help animal shelters cope with unprecedented challenges brought on by one of the worst storms on record.
Helping animal shelters with needs and transports
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Hutton the kitten with only one front leg on a red blanket with white snowflakes

Kitten thinks TikTok is the cat’s pajamas

Hutton arrived with a broken leg and found comfort in swift vet care, a foster home — and the joy of videos on social media.
Three legs don't slow him down
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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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