Best Friends and Richmond Animal League join forces

Virginia is off to a strong start in 2025 toward becoming the largest no-kill state in the nation. More than half of the state’s animal shelters have already achieved no-kill with save rates of 90% or higher. Adding momentum to this progress, Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared November as Virginia Loves Shelter Animals Month, a call to action inspiring communities across the commonwealth to save more dogs and cats.

The spotlight shines brightly on Richmond Animal League (RAL), a peer-mentor organization in Best Friends’ Prince and Paws Shelter Collaborative Program, for its steady and focused efforts in lifesaving collaboration. As a longstanding leader in animal welfare, RAL exemplifies how innovation and partnership can save more animals’ lives and help shelters achieve no-kill.

RAL is working hand in hand with smaller, under-resourced shelters across Virginia, providing them with resources, helping to move pets to RAL where their chances of adoption are greater, and offering other support to help them reach no-kill. With RAL’s mentorship and hands-on support, these shelters are better positioned to reach no-kill, bringing the state closer to the shared vision to increase lifesaving and find pets loving homes.

Through the shelter collaborative program, RAL has received a $425,000 grant over two years to fuel its lifesaving mission. This funding supports the team’s long-term commitment to Virginia communities, enabling them to expand resources and amplify their impact.

“What was perfect about this situation is we found an organization already committed to assisting other communities, and they were a great fit for the shelter collaborative program,” said Bethany Heins, Best Friends shelter collaborative director. “We couldn’t ask for a better partner than RAL. The goal is to replicate these partnerships all across the country because collaboration, like community support, is key to reaching no-kill.”

As Virginia moves closer to becoming a no-kill state, RAL’s work serves as a model for other regions to emulate. The partnership between Best Friends and Richmond Animal League showcases the power of collaboration, community, and commitment to lifesaving initiatives.

With Gov. Youngkin’s declaration and the tireless efforts of organizations like RAL, Virginia is setting a precedent for animal welfare nationwide. Together, these efforts are not just changing the lives of pets in shelters — they’re redefining what’s possible when communities unite for a common cause.

Let’s celebrate this inspiring progress and continue to support the mission to make Virginia — and the entire country — a safe haven for homeless pets. 

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.