Foster Programs Stories

Nymph the cat in a kennel

Cat’s future looks bright after life-changing surgery

Thanks to skilled veterinary professionals and devoted foster volunteers, Emma is healthy and thriving in a loving home.
Emma’s healing journey
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Allan the kitten standing on an orange ball

Faces of No-Kill: Kitten’s job is just play

Thanks to early intervention and a dedicated foster volunteer, Allan the kitten can run, jump, and play with the best of them.
Now he's zooming around his dream house
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Judy the cat lying on a cardboard scratcher

Faces of No-Kill: Shy cat has a secret

Judy had everyone convinced she was a scaredy cat, but everything changed when she went into a foster home.
Her playful personality emerges
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Actor Gilles Marini with Z the African grey parrot

Unexpected help for a parrot amid L.A. wildfires

When fire threatened Michelle Bertonneau’s home, she feared for her pets, including her parrot, Z — until help arrived.
Actor opens his home
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Erin Yarbrough with Sonny the dog snuggled in her arms next to a stuffed toy

Fostering a dog to heal a grieving heart

In the midst of the L.A. fires, Erin’s beloved canine companion passed away, but his indomitable spirit has helped her pick up the pieces and start again.
Foster dog is helping fill the hole in her heart
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Betty the dog sitting in a car seat wearing pearls

Senior dog regains pep in her step

Sweet Betty recovered from surgery and is thriving in her new home despite a cancer diagnosis.
Senior dog now thrives
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Sabine the dog in her foster home

Faces of No-Kill: Dog goes from shut down to shining

Sabine’s story shows that even the most broken spirits can heal.
Foster care transforms her
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Greggy out with two other dogs, all happy

Sunny pup doesn’t let injury slow him down

Greggy came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary with an injured leg and found his footing again in a foster home.
He's now blossomed into a well-rounded, confident companion
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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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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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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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Apollo and Jasper the cats sitting next to each other

Big bobtail cats go from matted to majestic

After some time and care in a foster home, cat brothers Apollo and Jasper are now living their best lives with a family who adores them.
Meet the majestic brothers
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Highway the cat head-bumping Lisa Anderson

Touch-sensitive kitty blossoms in foster home

Highway wasn’t a fan of being touched when he arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Now he’s on the road to healing with help from his friends.
Read about his progress
Best Friends Magazine
Pocket the dog in a yard with a toy ball

Busting myths about fostering dogs

If you’re on the fence about fostering, let us dispel some of the misperceptions.
Help get dogs into homes
Best Friends Magazine