Faces of No-Kill: Pet sleepovers spark second chances

Noshing on good snacks, getting snuggly and swapping secrets, forging life-changing bonds: Now that’s a recipe for an excellent slumber party. And it’s no different at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Through the sleepover program, visitors and volunteers can host adoptable pets for a night in their on-site cottage or nearby pet-friendly hotel or rental. It’s a cozy change of pace that gives pets a break from the bustle of Sanctuary life — and sometimes a chance to charm their way into someone’s heart (and home).

It’s a mini adventure, a one-night getaway with big potential. And for two whiskered charmers named Rusty and Rockwell, it turned out to be the first step toward something even better than pancakes in the morning: a place to call home.

Rusty was the kind of cat who looked like he’d seen a few things — and then chosen to take a nap about it. With soft orange fur and a purr that could soothe a thunderstorm, he arrived at the Sanctuary with a few medical issues that might have made some adopters hesitate: chronic kidney disease, arthritis, and a daily routine that included giving him supplemental fluids to help him stay hydrated.

But with a little help from the Best Friends veterinary team — and plenty of love from his caregivers in the Sanctuary’s Cat World — Rusty was soon feeling like himself again. His daily routine was simple: medication, some extra hydration, and lots of affection. Once he was stable, he settled happily into his favorite sunny nook — the perfect perch for a cat about to become a sleepover sensation.

[Unforgettable 18-year-old cat goes home]

“Once his health issues were under control, we started to send him on sleepovers,” says caregiver Arabelle Osicky. “He was soon a volunteer favorite and our go-to sleepover guy. They always told us he was a fantastic cuddle buddy.”

Then came one unforgettable evening. Rusty went on a sleepover with a volunteer — who just so happened to be a nurse with a soft spot for seniors and a talent for handling medical routines. That night, he curled up beside her and slept soundly, as if he'd always belonged there. By sunrise, she knew he belonged with her. And she adopted him that day.

Not long after Rusty’s big moment, another cat was packing his overnight bag. His slum-purr party packing list included treats, a bouncy wand toy, treats, a travel litter box, treats, and his favorite fluffy blanket. And more treats.

Rockwell — equal parts fluffball, cuddlebug, and goofball — had been quietly stealing hearts at the Sanctuary for a while. Like Rusty, he had a few medical issues. One of them was chronic stomatitis — a painful immune condition that led to the removal of all his teeth and requires daily meds to keep him comfortable. The veterinary team at Best Friends helped Rockwell begin his healing journey — giving him stability, relief, and a chance to start feeling more like himself. But his path to recovery didn’t end there. He would still need ongoing treatment, patience, and someone with the dedication to walk with him the rest of the way.

With his comfort beginning to return and his charm still fully intact, Rockwell got back to the good stuff: snuggling, charming, and purring his way into people’s hearts. He was a sleepover pro — the kind of cat who made it very clear when he was ready for bed (right next to you, thank you very much).

Then came Karen Hollish. She was visiting the Sanctuary and took Rockwell on a sleepover at her pet-friendly hotel for what was supposed to be just one night. Maybe two. But somewhere between the welcome purr and the morning meow, Rockwell snuck into her heart like he’d always planned it. That night, he claimed half her pillow, drooled contentedly on the blanket, and purred like a tiny, toothless motorboat. By morning, Karen knew: Rockwell was family.

[Sleepovers with adoptable pets]

“He just cuddled with me on the bed during the sleepover,” says Karen. “My family's cat had passed about a year earlier, and our former cat was a one-person type of cat — and I wasn’t that person. Rockwell was so friendly and sweet and cuddly, and we just clicked. Now he’s the king of the castle in our home.”

Karen and her family have been by Rockwell’s side ever since — lovingly helping him through ongoing medical needs and giving him the stability, care, and comfort he needs to truly thrive.

Rusty and Rockwell both needed adopters who could see beyond their medical needs to the vast amount of love they have to give — and the sleepover program helped tip the balance. It gave potential adopters a chance to connect in a real way, with no pressure, no rush — just a night, a couch, a cat, and maybe a shared snack or two. And sometimes, that’s all it takes.

While it was only one night, Rusty and Rockwell might just call it the best nap of their lives — because they no longer have to dream of a home of their own.

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.