Sanctuary Stories

Pumpkin the cat wearing an autumnal colored bow surrounded by fall-colored leaves

Pumpkin the cat celebrates his season

It’s autumn now, and you know what that means: the perfect time for Pumpkin.
Who needs pumpkin spice when you have Pumpkin the cat?
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Frankie the dog in the lap of a person who is reading "101 Dalmatians" to him

Deaf dog loves story time

Even though he can’t follow along with his ears, Frankie loves it when people read to him.
It's fun for everyone
Best Friends Magazine
Ruthie the dog with three people (two in military uniforms) in front of a large vehicle

Faces of No-Kill: 3-legged dog earns her military stripes

Ruthie went from a scared, injured puppy in a shelter to bringing joy to combat veterans who defuse bombs for a living.
She's loving her therapy dog training
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Julian Lin and Julie Castle sitting by one another, each with cats in their laps

Young entrepreneur brings generosity to adoptable pets

After his lemonade stand was robbed, 8-year-old Julian Lin visited Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to meet CEO Julie Castle.
Read about his trip of a lifetime
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Person wearing a hat reaching down to feed some watermelon to a pig in a small yellow pool

A pool party just for pigs

Pigs at the Sanctuary make a splash and have a blast at a summertime soiree just for them.
Check out the fun
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A person and dog in a green canoe on the water in front of a rock overcropping

Dogs find treasure at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Photo essay explores dogs taking a dip in waters rumored to hide ancient riches and how they end up discovering something even better.
Is Montezuma’s gold hidden at the Sanctuary?
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Acadia the cat standing on his hind legs doing a high-five with a person

Cat goes from shy to showman

Acadia didn’t want anything to do with people when he first came to Best Friends, but special attention from a caregiver changed that.
Now he's a tour highlight
Best Friends Magazine
Black and white dog licking lips after tasting a Frosty Paws from a white cup being held by a person's hand

Volunteers deliver cool treats to Dogtown pups

Get the canine-approved recipe that makes the dogs bark for joy, especially on hot days.
Make them yourself
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Equine trainer Christian Mathews putting a saddle on Byron the mustang

A mustang’s breakthrough

Byron was born in the wild, and today he’s learning the ropes to become a solid riding partner.
He's now a riding partner
Best Friends Magazine
Venus the dog running outside in the red sand with ears flopping and tongue out

The Secret to Happiness, a poem by Venus the dog

A poignant poem for the times, as told by a playful pup at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Read Venus' words of wisdom
Best Friends Magazine
Evelyn the kitten sitting in a sunbeam meowing at a much larger black and white cat

Cats pamper kitten with purrs

After losing her home, an incontinent kitten joins a team of doting feline caregivers in Cat World.
See how she's thriving
Best Friends Magazine
Ashley hugging a happy Cayenne the dog

Laced with grace: Saying goodbye to a beloved dog

Excerpt from 'A Tail of Grace: A Year in Search of Home After the Death of My Soul-Dog.'
Learn about her emotional journey
Best Friends Magazine
Volunteer Betty Grieb wearing a blue protective gown and gloves, holding a puppy on her shoulder

Volunteer prepares puppies for their best lives

Betty Grieb offers the puppies at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary lots of TLC to help prepare them for new homes.
Read what motivates her to help
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Tax the dog, looking forward with mouth open in a smile

Anxious dog who’s deaf finds comfort with new family

Life seemed overwhelming for Taz when he arrived at Best Friends, but now he’s learning how to confidently navigate the world with his new family.
Read how he's settled into his new home
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Smiling person surrounded by baby Quaker parrots, including one on her head

Animals from closed zoo find safety at Best Friends

After a zoo in Puerto Rico closed, hundreds of animals needed new places to live — and help getting there.
Their futures are bright
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