Aisles of smiles: Hundreds of pets adopted at Walmart events

A mom and her two daughters set the alarm clock for 4 a.m. to get in line at the Walmart store in West Jordan, Utah. But they weren’t up before the sun to score Black Friday deals — they were there to meet adoptable pets from Best Friends.

A few hours later, each girl was cradling a puppy in her arms. Those two pups, Cloud and Sol, were officially headed home — and so were many of their furry friends. In fact, 30 dogs and cats were adopted in the first 90 minutes of that location’s pet adoption event, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Walmart and Best Friends.

Utah wasn’t the only place where pets were front and center to meet Walmart shoppers. On Saturday, May 17, Walmart stores in seven cities nationwide (Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City) hosted Bring Happy Home pop-up pet adoption events. Storefronts transformed into homey adoption centers, complete with play yards and picket fences. Staff and volunteers from Best Friends, as well as local network partner shelters in some locations, were on hand to talk with folks and match them up with the right pet for them.

May is National Pet Month, and Best Friends is proudly collaborating with Walmart, a company committed to making pet ownership accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for everyone.

It makes sense: 91% of animal organizations in the U.S. are located within 20 miles of a Walmart store.

Blue Buffalo and Walmart have been covering pet adoption fees at all Best Friends locations for the month of May, including at the Bring Happy Home adoption events.

[From hoops to homes: Big 12 crowd scores puppy cuddles]

After choosing their new best friend, adopters headed right into the store to pick up pet care essentials from national brand partners, including Blue Buffalo (Best Friends’ official pet food partner), Fresh Step (Best Friends’ official cat litter partner), Adams Botanicals, Nestle Purina, Nutrish, Nylabone, Pedigree, Pooph, Spruce, Sulfodene, Temptations, and Unique Petz.

Best Friends signage is also being displayed in 2,000 Walmart stores, spreading the message about the importance of pet adoption to communities across the country.

All morning long and into the afternoon, Walmart shoppers were welcomed by curious kitties and tail-wagging pups (quite possibly their first time being licked by a Walmart greeter). Customers could meet and cuddle with adoptable pets and, if it was a match, bring them home that very day. Walmart associates offered their enthusiastic support throughout the day, making sure pets and Best Friends staff stayed happy and hydrated.

Each adoption was special, but some stories truly touched everyone’s hearts.

In Los Angeles, a woman drove two hours to meet a dog named Dan Tat. She had seen his picture online and was awestruck by how much he looked like her previous pup, who had lived to the age of 19. It felt meant to be.

In Phoenix, a family who recently moved to the area brought their teenage son — who had been struggling to adjust — to the adoption event. There, the teen immediately fell for a little white terrier named Nolan. Now, neither of them has to feel alone. (Cue the happy tears.)

[Empty trucks return to shelters after Best Friends Super Adoption]

Even one store manager and a store associate couldn’t resist adding new pets to their families. And that’s what it’s all about: getting pets out of shelters and into happy homes.

In the end, 259 pets (152 cats and 107 dogs) from across the country were adopted into loving homes. These pets came from Best Friends locations in New York, Houston, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles, as well as from Best Friends Network Partners, including Providence Animal Center, Miami-Dade Animal Services, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control.

Participating network partners each said it was their most successful off-site adoption event to date.

Saturday was more than one magical day. Events like Bring Happy Home — events that bring adoptable pets into the community to meet people where they are — support Best Friends’ goal for all shelters in the U.S. to reach no-kill.

There are more than enough homes for our nation’s homeless pets. About 7 million households will add a pet to their family over the next year. If just 6% more of them choose to adopt their pet from a shelter rather than buy one, we could reach no-kill nationwide.

Pets like Cloud, Sol, Dan Tat, and Nolan are proof that you really can find anything at Walmart — even true love.

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.