Special-Need Animals Stories

Dan with Moogan the dog outside under a tree

Blind dog looks out for the ones he loves

Dogs are human’s best friend, but for one volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Moogan the dog is both human’s best friend and hero.
Heroism earns him extra treats
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Indie the kitten in a Halloween-themed cat tube toy

Every day is this kitten’s best day

A grant to support special veterinary care helps Planned PEThood in Georgia save a tiny kitten’s life.
Now every day is Indie's best day
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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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Kody the dog in her wheelchair next to Ranko Fukuda

Pup wheels her way right into adopter’s heart

Kody didn’t let an injury that left her hind end paralyzed slow her roll or keep her from finding love. Now she’s zooming around in a home of her own.
Special home for special-needs dog
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David Reilly sitting on a couch with Rex the dog

Faces of No-Kill: Dog springs into new life on 3 legs

After having his leg amputated due to a severe injury, Rex charmed his way into his caregivers’ hearts — and a new home.
Now he's living his best life
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Jack, the orange tabby cat without eyes

Faces of No-Kill: Cat gains doting family after accident

After losing his eyesight in an accident, Jack was adopted by a family who helped him relearn how to navigate the world.
Now he's home where he belongs
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Jessie the black and white cat with a small amount of tongue sticking out of her mouth on a cat tree

Faces of No-Kill: Cat doesn't let illness dull her shine

Jessie’s sunny personality helped her overcome myriad medical challenges and become a beloved cat at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
She's now living the good life
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Bongo the cat after the surgery on his eyes

Cat regains sight thanks to dedicated volunteers

When volunteers discovered Bongo had a dangerous eye condition, they went above and beyond to help this community cat.
His second chance at life
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A profile of Yazh the dog

Resilient pup overcomes injury, learns to walk again

Yazh is back on all four legs thanks to the dedicated efforts of her foster family and the Best Friends veterinary team.
See her now!
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Selfie of Kylie LaVigne hugging Koda the dog

Spirited stray dog loses leg but gains a new home

When the word went out that Koda needed a foster home following surgery, Kylie volunteered and, as it turns out, brought the boy home for good.
Now they're a happy family
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Boone the dog receiving a veterinary exam

Life on 3 legs doesn't slow down perky pup

Boone’s journey home included a life-changing surgery and a dedicated foster volunteer who guided him through recovery.
He becomes a foster win
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Cheesecaek the dog smiling with tongue out

Grant helps save senior dog’s eyesight

A Lab mix named Cheesecake had a disease that threatened her eyesight, but a Rachael Ray Save Them All Grant helped her to see again.
Extra funds help save lives
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Zora the kitten with a lit up Christmas tree in the background

‘Miracle kitten' thrives after lifesaving surgery

Zora went from near death to a loving home, inspiring everyone she met along the way.
From survival mode to thriving
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Larissa hugging Ghost the dog

Deaf dog’s inspiring journey home

A snow-white pup named Ghost shows us that pets with special needs can lead full lives and spread tremendous joy.
Today he's living his best life
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Sébastien in a wheelchair with Theophiel the cat in his lap and another cat stretching up to them

Faces of No-Kill: Head injury can’t stop this kitten

Found stumbling and disoriented, Theophiel’s story had a scary start, but things turned around when he landed at Best Friends. Now, he’s living the dream.
Life is good for Theophiel
Best Friends Magazine