Sanctuary Stories

Rhonda the dog licking the face of Amra the dog

The other founders of Best Friends Animal Society

Enough about the people — let’s celebrate the animals.
Meet some of the original residents
Best Friends Magazine
Sylvia the one-eyed cat with her foster person Melissa

Blind cat with cleft palate gets care, gains confidence

Sylvia was in rough shape when she arrived at the Sanctuary, but with TLC and a good haircut, she’s finally feeling feline-fine.
Read how she's improved
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Adored the cat in front of Santa

Holiday cheer: Watch dogs and cats open their gifts

Cats and dogs pounce onto the holiday spirit at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Watch their fun
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Jako the cat eating some greens with ears back

Frisky feline bounds toward a bright future

Jako had so much energy that he was positively overflowing with it, so caregivers invented games and activities to focus all that go-go-go.
See Jako at "work"
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Pep the black dog, standing outside, wearing a harness, with her mouth open and big pink tongue out

Watch a dog’s first day out after surviving distemper

Pep was sick for months but then got to celebrate her health in the sweetest way at the Sanctuary.
See her in action
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Raquel the dog smiling in front of some wildflowers

‘Diamond in the rough’ dog loved just as she is

Wary of new people and other dogs, it took some extra time to find Raquel a home, but now she has a family who embraces everything about her.
Read how she's settling in
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Three kittens playing with a colorful wand toy

Swift teamwork saves kittens with a deadly virus

When kittens at a local shelter suddenly became critically ill with panleukopenia, collaboration with Best Friends and a quick response saved the day.
Coming together to save lives
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Forest the cat on the ground with other cats

Once-scared cat overcomes much to enjoy golden years

It took a lot of TLC to get Forest to come out of his shell — and then veterinary care to save his life.
He's doing better than ever
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Adored the cat with her head and two front paws overhanging the corner of the area she's lying on

Helping a cat feel absolutely Adored

From scared to snuggly, this tangerine tabby has come a long way.
Now instead of running away, her purr motor revs up
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Petey the cat with Emily kneeling next to him

Faces of No-Kill: Befriending a fractious feline

Petey was frustrated with people and not afraid to show it — until he got specialized medication and a caregiver earned his trust. Now he’s in a new home.
A family for a finicky feline
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Rosita the dog with her new family, sitting outside on green grass

Faces of No-Kill: Loving a dog who has limited time

A senior dog with inoperable cancer, Rosita has her ups and downs — but her family makes sure her tail never stops wagging.
Meet this 'foster win'
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Two cavies, nose-to-nose

Cavy curiosities: Meet our new wild friends

Learn about Hip and Hup the cavies, two unique new residents at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Starting their jobs with Wild Friends’ educational program
Best Friends Magazine
Dixon the tabby and white cat lying on a lap

Faces of No-Kill: Cat thrives after FIP treatment

Dixon’s FIP diagnosis once might have spelled the end, but after taking part in clinical trials for a treatment, her future is looking bright.
Read about his lifesaving medical care
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Jules and Lannister the dogs playing together, each holding opposite sides of the same stick with their mouths

The right roommate helps calm anxious dog

Lannister loves making friends, but his nervous energy can be a lot for other dogs — until he met Jules.
See how they enjoy each others company
Best Friends Magazine
Atkins the white dog in front of a group of people when moving into the Shipley Dog Lodges

Announcing the Shipley Dog Lodges

A nod to the future through the experiences of the past
Celebrating a place designed to celebrate dogs with behavior challenges
Julie Castle Blog