Louisiana Stories

Person reaching out to touch a smiling red heeler type dog

11 happy pet tales from national adoption weekend

Best Friends’ first national adoption weekend of 2023 finds loving homes for thousands of pets.
Meet some happy new families
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Group of people surrounding a dog outside a wire crate

How animal services officers are saving more pets

Best Friends works with animal services officers to reduce shelter intake and reunite more pets with their families.
See how their work affects no-kill 2025
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Person wearing an animal services officer shirt holding a small dog or puppy backwards over his shoulder in a kennel area

Helping small animal shelters has a big impact

Best Friends is leveraging the power of networking and peer mentoring to engage organizations and help save lives.
See how mentorships help save cats and dogs
Best Friends Magazine
Volunteer Bill Splitter, smiling, between his two daughters Trischa and Elizabeth

Air Force vet to full-time volunteer with dogs

Volunteering changed veteran, dog lover, logistics legend, and epic animal transporter Bill Splitter’s life.
Remembering Bill's legacy
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Gray and white cat in a kennel

5 animal stories that prove kindness goes a long way

These good Samaritans, including one cat, pulled out all the stops to help when it was needed the most.
Read their praiseworthy efforts
Best Friends Magazine
Yogi the dog with is smiling person

7 happy stories from national pet adoption weekend

Best Friends-sponsored National Adoption Weekend results in thousands of adoptions.
Meet the happy families
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Smiling person holding a small black kitten, next to a mobile home

Community conversations help cats in a Louisiana parish

With guidance from the Best Friends national embed program, staff at St. Tammany Animal Shelter talked with neighbors to get them on board to help save cats.
Read about their lifesaving programs
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Smiling person getting kissed on the face by a dog

Matchmaking, animal shelter style

Shelter collaborative program may be the last piece of the no-kill puzzle.
See our matchmaking in action
Best Friends Magazine