Pet Adoption Stories

Black and white cat beside a bag in a home

Lifesaving tales: Homeless cats get fresh starts

Best Friends supporters share their stories about the magical day when they brought home their feline family members.
Stories of the day when they adopted their pets
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Tib the black and white kitten wearing a collar

Introducing the newest Poe Museum cat

Tib went from Richmond SPCA to becoming a beloved museum greeter, gift shop supervisor, and expert at stealing visitors’ hearts.
Kitten gains not just a home but a calling
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Gary Slusher holding the Chihuahua-corgi mix he adopted in front of a mural featuring dogs in a covered wagon

Lifesaving tales: Pets who make life better

Best Friends supporters share how their pets have made a significant impact on their lives.
Stories of how their rescued pets have changed their lives
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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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Emery holding Greenie the dog affectionately at the ranch with horses and rock formations in the background

Greener pastures for a shy mama dog

Greenie arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary as a shy mama dog. Now, she’s thriving on a ranch with mini horses, donkeys, and plenty of room to roam.
She has a home and a purpose now
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Michelle Hood with Benton the dog

Rescued dog helps marathoner chase Six Star dream

Adopting Benton gave him a second chance and helped Michelle accomplish her biggest running goal.
Adoption inspires woman to give back in a bigger way
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Jessa the dog with her adopters outside in some dried grass

Faces of No-Kill: Storybook ending for a senior dog

An 11-year-old dog left a couple spellbound when they met her at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Now, she’s queen of their castle.
Jessa has her happily ever after
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Lowe the tabby cat in his foster home

Cat who loses a leg gains a lot of love

Lowe, a brown tabby with three legs and a familiar look, leaves his harrowing past behind.
Now his playful spirit shines
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Stickers the cat on a chair in a home

Senior cat trades sunbeams for snowflakes

First-time cat adopters find love at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary with a senior kitty named Stickers. Now he’s thriving in his cozy new home in Alaska.
Now he's a different cat
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Hannibal cuddling in a dog bed with Cinnamon

Faces of No-Kill: Dog BFF provides soft place to land

How a once-shy pup gained not only a new family but a best dog friend to bring her joy
Now she's happy at home
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Person scratching Nala the dog's chin

Dog overcomes fear — with some help from her friends

Playing with other dogs helped a German shepherd open up, giving her the confidence to turn on the charm and win over an adopter.
Now she's a different dog
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Mo outside with Cadbury the dog

Faces of No-Kill: Big dog in the big city

A 50-pound pup named Cadbury left a lasting impact on his foster family.
Foster home helps him meet his match
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Gray and white longhair cat in front of a multicolored blanket

Heartwarming stories from Best Friends adopters

From lovable dogs to shy cats, these adoption stories give a glimpse at pets' lives with their new families.
Read about these newly adopted pets
Best Friends Magazine
Maddy the cat lying on a blanket playing with a toy

Resilient kitten having a ball at home

After overcoming obstacle after obstacle, Maddie is exactly where she belongs: in a home filled with love and adventure.
Now the good times roll
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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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