Features

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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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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Peridot the cat lying in the top shelf of a cat tree

Faces of No-Kill: Cat goes from grumpy to cuddly

Peridot used to swat away affection with hisses and growls. Now she’s home, snuggling with her adopters and shining like the gem she’s named after.
Read about her transformation
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King Julian the dog standing up on his hind legs with his mouth open in a wide smile

Tiny pup goes from bald to beautiful in foster home

When King Julian landed at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, he wasn’t feeling like royalty. But with some time and TLC, now his health reigns supreme.
Now he's all smiles
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Bert the dog lying in the grass on his back with his feet up

Dog’s story of healing will give you all the feels

Surgery would allow Bert to walk and run without pain. But he would need months of special care in a foster home to recover.
Special bond forms at foster home
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Winston and Watson the doodle-type dogs

Save rate skyrockets at a West Virginia animal shelter

With an increase in the number of dogs and cats saved from 38% to 83%, Harrison County Animal Control Services moves closer to no-kill.
Working with the community
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Penelope the cat lying down with her leg in a cast in front of her

Faces of No-Kill: TLC saves sweet mama cat

Penelope came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in rough shape with more than 50 other cats. But her sweet, spunky spirit and lots of TLC saved the day.
Recovery leads to adoption
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Emma Odekirk sitting on the ground with Valley the dog and a small brown puppy

Time, training, and love transform nervous dog

When Valley arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, she was anxious about most everything. Now, she’s teaching puppies how to be confident dogs.
She's transformed
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