Pet Adoption Stories

Smokey the gray cat lying on a couch

Shy no more: One cat’s beautiful breakthrough

Thanks to time, patience, and chin scratches in his foster homes, today 10-year-old Smokey is exactly where he belongs.
New home, new beginning
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Black, white and tan dog with his tongue out, outside on grass

Pet adoptions skyrocket at Indiana shelter

Jeffersonville Animal Shelter celebrates the first no-kill month in its history.
Helping animals get home faster
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Rio and Mike the dogs outside on some steps

A road trip detour that changed a dog’s life

A cross-country trip and spontaneous visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary led to a life-changing moment for a very good dog named Rio.
Now Rio has blossomed
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Brown tabby cat whose head is looking out of a round hole in a green box

Happy tales of pets’ lives after adoption

Our favorite kind of news? Updates from adopters whose new pets have become the heart of their homes.
Pets living their best lives with the people who love them
Best Friends Magazine
Goldilocks the cat lying on a cat scratcher

Tales of second chances for homeless pets

Across the country, Best Friends is finding pets homes full of love, fun, and sometimes even their own wardrobe.
The stories of some special dogs and cats
Best Friends Magazine
Person holding a Walmart bag bending down to pet a black and white dog

Walmart shines spotlight on pet adoption

The retailer is teaming up with Best Friends to bring happy home for National Pet Month.
Meet pets in person at select Walmart stores
Best Friends Magazine
Rusty the cat sleeping while on a sleepover

Faces of No-Kill: Pet sleepovers spark second chances

The sleepover program at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary helps two kitties with special needs land in homes of their own.
Program offers potential adopters a chance to connect in a real way
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Sugar the cat lying on a towel on a wooden bench

Adopter sees the sweetness in shy senior cat

Like sugar and spice, Sugar the cat and Ginger the person were just the right match for each other.
Now receiving her second chance
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Person wearing a hat sitting on a couch petting a small brown dog

 Lifesaving tales: Pets land new homes in unusual ways

Best Friends supporters share their stories of how their dog and cat family members came into their lives through unexpected circumstances.
People take matters into their own hands
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Sunny the one-eyed kitten wearing a green vest

Faces of No-Kill: Cat sails through life after surgery

One-eyed kitten Sunny braved illness and a double surgery. Now she's charting a bold new course with her adopted crew.
Now she's embarking on epic adventures
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Noemi Peguero holding two Chihuahuas and surrounded by purple balloons

Lifesaving tales: Heartwarming dog adoptions

Best Friends supporters reminisce about the special day when they brought home their canine family members.
Stories of the day when they adopted their dogs
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Skipper the dog off-leash outside

Faces of No-Kill: Dog lands dream life on ranch

Skipper came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in need of an outlet for his boundless energy. Then something amazing happened.
Now he's home on the range
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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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