Person laying in grass with dog

Your kindness makes a difference for homeless pets

In 2023, 380,000 dogs and cats were killed in shelters nationwide and here in Northwest Arkansas, just because they didn’t have a safe place to call home. You can help change that.

Whether you donate, volunteer your time, foster a pet in your home or advocate for animals here in Northwest Arkansas, you can make a lifesaving difference.

The Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Northwest Arkansas represents the future of animal sheltering and you can be a part of it.

It’s a first-of-its-kind, fully reimagined shelter that breaks the mold of the antiquated facilities of the last 150 years. Its design and operation reflect an understanding that our animal companions are an integral part of our families and our communities.

The center is a place for the community to gather, celebrate pets, and participate in lifesaving activities like adoption events and advocacy events. The innovative space features open areas for community members to get to know adoptable dogs and cats, attend fun events for people of all ages, and much more. 

Smiling person holding a small dog outside

Want to be an ambassador for the animals?

We need your help! We’re looking for people like you to become pet resource center ambassadors.

As an ambassador, you’ll be greeting visitors, giving tours of the building, and helping our team with basic operations like selling merchandise and signing up new volunteers. 

You can choose from two shifts every day (10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.) and we’ll provide all the training you need on site. 

Sound like a great fit? Register as a volunteer and sign up for a shift.

Sign Up to Volunteer

If you’ve volunteered with Best Friends before, you probably have a volunteer profile in our volunteer portal already. If you need help reactivating your account (inactive profiles are deactivated after six months), please email volunteernwa@bestfriends.org for assistance.

Tiny striped kitten looking at the camera

Donate: make a gift to save lives

When you make a gift to the animals, you’ll be helping to save the lives of homeless pets in Northwest Arkansas and around the country.

There are so many ways you can give to help the pets in Northwest Arkansas. You can donate and become a member, shop our Walmart wishlist, start an employee giving program, or participate in The Walmart Volunteerism Always Pays (VAP) program to name a few.

Whatever you decide, your contribution supports our lifesaving work here in Northwest Arkansas, and also helps shelters across the country to achieve no-kill. Your generosity ensures lifesaving second chances and your compassion helps to Save Them All.

See How You Can Give
Person holding two tiny kittens in their arms

Volunteer: give your time

You can provide hope and happiness to homeless pets by volunteering.

For animals here in Northwest Arkansas waiting for families of their very own, your gifts of love, time and companionship make a lifesaving difference.

Volunteer in Northwest Arkansas
Dog and cat on a colorful rug in a living room

Foster: open your heart and home

When you foster a cat or dog in Northwest Arkansas, you’re providing a safe and loving place for a pet to learn and grow.

You’re also helping shelters in the region and the state extend their services and care to other homeless pets in need. Fostering an adoptable animal in your home, even for just a few nights, is one of the most important things you can do to save a homeless pet’s life.

Foster in Northwest Arkansas
Two people kneeling on the sidewalk with a big dog

Advocate: create positive change

You have the power to create positive change for the animals in your community. Join the Northwest Arkansas 2025 Action Team or start your own today.

Help to expand pet-friendly housing, provide resources for local community cats and kittens and their caregivers, make sure people can share their lives with any dog they choose, regardless of breed, and more.

Join Our Advocacy Team