Cats from L.A. shelters get special care at Best Friends

The winds of southern Utah glide through the red rock cliffs of Angel Canyon, carrying with them a whisper of hope as the canyon winds across the 5,800-acre home of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Here, at this haven nestled in the rugged beauty, the quiet hum of healing is already underway for some special new arrivals.

Amid the wildfire devastation in Los Angeles, Best Friends is taking in adoptable pets from many L.A.-area shelters to help free up space and alleviate stress in the shelters during this crisis. Hundreds of these dogs and cats have traveled from L.A. to the Sanctuary, an essential waystation offering safe haven for rest and recovery, before they journey on to shelters and rescue groups across the country. But some of these pets — including felines Albert, Pico, Sunshine, and Pluto — will remain at the Sanctuary for now for the specialized care and healing it can provide.

Cat World (the felines’ home-between-homes at the Sanctuary) features 10 different houses for cats, including a clinic staffed with veterinary experts and dedicated caregivers. To create a stress-free environment for kitties to decompress, caregivers use considerate techniques like minimizing handling, covering kennel doors with plush blankets for privacy, providing hidey beds for burrowing, and playing calming music.

[Adoptable pets from L.A. wildfires arrive in Utah]

These thoughtful measures make a world of difference for cats like Albert, an extra-floofy orange-and-white kitty who arrived from L.A. with a wary heart. He was hissing and lashing out at anyone who came near, but he found exactly what he needed in Cat World’s peaceful surroundings — a calm place to unwind and feel safe. Caregivers have even spotted him shyly peeking out from behind a fuzzy blanket, his cautious gaze tinged with curiosity about his home-between-homes.

“He’s already making big strides,” says Nikki Ruiter, a Best Friends veterinary team member. “He comes out now and eats treats from our hands.”
 

Albert’s fellow travelers from L.A. are also benefiting from TLC at the Sanctuary. Upon arrival, Pico headed straight to Best Friends Animal Clinic, where he received care for itchy skin, an eye infection, and dental disease. Throughout his examination, this extra-large, extra-sweet tabby cat’s loud, rumbling purr made it nearly impossible for the veterinary team to hear his heartbeat — a reflection of his trust and affection.

Sunshine the cat sports an eye-catching orange stripe on her head, but this petite little lady’s striking tortoiseshell coat of dark brown and orange needed some help. She arrived at the clinic nearly bald, likely due to a flea allergy. Topical flea treatments are already working, and her coat is expected to recover beautifully.

[Cat gets comfortable in her own skin]

Pluto, meanwhile, came with sutures from a previous abscess. With antibiotics and attentive care, this sweet tabby cat is healing quickly, and her sutures will be removed soon. Her bright gaze, dominated by those large, expressive green eyes, lures anyone nearby to come closer and shower her with all the love she deserves.

As each day passes, Albert, Pico, Sunshine, and Pluto grow healthier and stronger, resting in comfort and safety until they’re matched with homes of their own. In the quiet of Cat World, hope and healing blossom, one purr at a time.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.