Salt Lake City Stories

Stella the dog outside on a leash

Amid fires, CA pets start new lives in Salt Lake City

Although the wildfires are local to Los Angeles, the disaster is inspiring action and bringing out the best in people across the country.
People step up to answer the call
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Line of carriers containing animals from Los Angles during the wildfires in front of the transport airplane

Fires inspire support for pets in L.A. shelters

Best Friends is moving hundreds of adoptable dogs and cats out of area animal shelters to make space for pets impacted by wildfires.
Best Friends and our partners take in adoptable pets from L.A.
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Profile of Clementine the cat, showing her broken jaw

Adoptable pets from L.A. wildfires arrive in Utah

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary takes in dogs and cats from impacted shelters in the Los Angeles area.
Meet some of the rescued pets
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Franklin and Nigel the cats in the vintage shop

10 inspiring pet adoption stories from 2024

Enjoy some of the year’s most heartwarming tales from around the country of pets going home.
Read the most heartwarming adoption stories of the year
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Lisa holding McMuffin the cat outside in front of a blue sky with clouds

Faces of No-Kill: Paralyzed cat’s life in the fast lane

The way McMuffin adapted to his challenges shows just how resilient and unstoppable pets can be.
Now every day is an adventure
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Group of people and dogs walking on a path in Strut Your Mutt outside surrounded by trees and grass

Sit, stay, strut: Thousands raised to bring pets home

Best Friends’ 2024 Strut Your Mutt fundraising walk and festival benefited animal welfare organizations in and around Salt Lake City.
Strutting to Save Them All
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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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Dr. Christina Boekhout holding Stone Cold the cat who is wearing a protective e-collar

Faces of No-Kill: Cat noses way into vet’s heart

During Stone Cold’s time in treatment for a hole in his nose, this charming gray tabby won over everyone he met — including his surgeon.
Now he's found love
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Battleship the cat with his foster person Kerk

Faces of No-Kill: Cat finds kindred spirit in foster care

Battleship, a tabby cat with diabetes, went from shy and struggling to proud and playful thanks to foster volunteers who truly understood him.
Foster care helped him turn the corner
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Anna holding Butters the cat

One-of-a-kind cat’s personality shines after surgery

After undergoing surgery, Butters needed a comfy place to recover. But foster care wouldn’t be just a temporary stop on his journey.
Watch him in action
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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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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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Concord the cat next to a HP laptop

Faces of No-Kill: Tiny kitten’s journey to health

After undergoing two surgeries and two recoveries, Concord is living the good life at home.
Read about the resilient kitten
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Fizz the young kitten with eyes still closed with head lying on a knitted toy

Bubbly kitten thrives after emergency C-section

Quick action from the Best Friends vet team saved the lives of Fizz and his mother, Soda.
Around the clock care saves Fizz
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Bubba the tabby kitten being held in a person's hands

Faces of No-Kill: Injury won’t keep playful kitten down

An accident left Bubba’s jaw severely injured, but this tiny tabby never lost his fun-loving spirit.
Read how he bounces back
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