Sanctuary Stories

Acadia the cat standing on his hind legs doing a high-five with a person

Cat goes from shy to showman

Acadia didn’t want anything to do with people when he first came to Best Friends, but special attention from a caregiver changed that.
Now he's a tour highlight
Best Friends Magazine
Black and white dog licking lips after tasting a Frosty Paws from a white cup being held by a person's hand

Volunteers deliver cool treats to Dogtown pups

Get the canine-approved recipe that makes the dogs bark for joy, especially on hot days.
Make them yourself
Feature
Equine trainer Christian Mathews putting a saddle on Byron the mustang

A mustang’s breakthrough

Byron was born in the wild, and today he’s learning the ropes to become a solid riding partner.
He's now a riding partner
Best Friends Magazine
Venus the dog running outside in the red sand with ears flopping and tongue out

The Secret to Happiness, a poem by Venus the dog

A poignant poem for the times, as told by a playful pup at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Read Venus' words of wisdom
Best Friends Magazine
Evelyn the kitten sitting in a sunbeam meowing at a much larger black and white cat

Cats pamper kitten with purrs

After losing her home, an incontinent kitten joins a team of doting feline caregivers in Cat World.
See how she's thriving
Best Friends Magazine
Ashley hugging a happy Cayenne the dog

Laced with grace: Saying goodbye to a beloved dog

Excerpt from 'A Tail of Grace: A Year in Search of Home After the Death of My Soul-Dog.'
Learn about her emotional journey
Best Friends Magazine
Volunteer Betty Grieb wearing a blue protective gown and gloves, holding a puppy on her shoulder

Volunteer prepares puppies for their best lives

Betty Grieb offers the puppies at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary lots of TLC to help prepare them for new homes.
Read what motivates her to help
Feature
Tax the dog, looking forward with mouth open in a smile

Anxious dog who’s deaf finds comfort with new family

Life seemed overwhelming for Taz when he arrived at Best Friends, but now he’s learning how to confidently navigate the world with his new family.
Read how he's settled into his new home
Feature
Smiling person surrounded by baby Quaker parrots, including one on her head

Animals from closed zoo find safety at Best Friends

After a zoo in Puerto Rico closed, hundreds of animals needed new places to live — and help getting there.
Their futures are bright
Feature
Big Papa the cat on a blue chair with a young volunteer wearing a hat

71 cats arrive to safety at Best Friends

Cats and kittens get veterinary care and visits from Best Friends staff and volunteers to help them into the next phase of their lives.
See how they're settling in
Feature
Sweet Baby James the puppy in a wheelchair

Foster home helps puppy stand tall

Faces of no-kill: Sweet Baby James could hardly even crawl when he first came to the Sanctuary, but today he’s stronger and in a home of his own.
See him now
Feature
Ash, Basil, and Cedar the rabbits in an enclosure and on a multicolored blanket

4-bunny bunch joins an even bigger family

Ash, Basil, Cedar, and Denali are in good company in their new home: a bustling family farm where they’re never lonely.
Read how they're a hit with everyone
Feature
Person running the Grand to Grand Ultra

Runners accept ‘ultra’ challenge to save dogs and cats

To this trio of animal lovers, raising funds for Best Friends by running the Grand to Grand Ultra will be just as important as finishing the race.
Support their efforts
Feature
Emma Dean the mama horse eating or drinking from a trough, next to Marina her foal

14-hour rescue of a stranded mama horse and baby

When rising water levels at Lake Powell marooned a mare and her filly, it took teamwork and ingenuity to get them to safety.
Read about their rescue plans A, B, and C
Feature
RoiLie the dog running in his wheelchair

Big love for little dog with wheels

An injury changed RoiLie’s life, but his huge personality and a whole lot of love keep him going strong.
See him in his home
Feature