Best Friends Animal Society is a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. By focusing on adoption, spay/neuter programs, and community support, they aim to make the entire country no-kill by 2025. This mission, known as “Save Them All,” relies on a vast network of partners and volunteers across the United States.
Finding information about how to adopt a pet or support animal welfare can feel overwhelming. Whether you are looking for a new furry family member or want to help animals in your community, understanding how this organization operates is the first step. This guide provides clear, actionable information on how to get involved and make a difference for homeless pets.
Understanding the Mission of Best Friends
The core philosophy of Best Friends Animal Society is that every pet deserves a chance at a happy life. For decades, they have worked to reduce the number of animals entering shelters and increase the number of animals leaving them alive. They operate the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, located in Kanab, Utah.
The sanctuary serves as a home for up to 1,600 animals at any given time, including dogs, cats, horses, birds, and even pigs. Many of these animals require specialized medical care or behavioral training before they are ready for adoption. The work done at the sanctuary sets the standard for animal care and rehabilitation nationwide.
The Goal of a No-Kill Nation
The “No-Kill 2025” initiative is a bold plan to ensure that every shelter in the United States reaches a no-kill status. A shelter is typically considered no-kill when it has a save rate of 90% or higher. This accounts for the small percentage of animals who may have irremediable medical issues or severe behavioral problems that impact public safety.
To achieve this, the organization provides data, resources, and mentorship to local shelters. By identifying which communities need the most help, they can direct funding and staff to the areas where the most lives are at stake. This data-driven approach is essential for systemic change in animal welfare.
How to Adopt Your New Pet
Adopting a pet is one of the most direct ways to support the no-kill movement. When you adopt, you save two lives: the animal you take home and the one who takes their place in the shelter. Best Friends makes the adoption process straightforward and accessible for everyone.
The organization operates several lifesaving centers in major cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Houston. These centers are designed to be welcoming environments where you can meet potential pets in a relaxed setting. If you do not live near a physical center, you can still adopt through their extensive network of partners.
Searching the National Database
One of the most helpful tools available is the national pet search engine. This online database allows you to filter pets by species, breed, age, size, and location. It includes animals from thousands of shelters and rescue groups across the country, not just those directly managed by Best Friends.
When you find a pet you are interested in, you can view their profile to learn about their personality and needs. From there, you can contact the specific shelter or rescue group to start the application process. Each organization has its own set of requirements, but the goal is always to find a great match for both the pet and the adopter.
The Adoption Process Steps
- Research: Use the online search tool to find animals that fit your lifestyle and home environment.
- Application: Fill out an adoption application, which usually asks about your living situation and previous experience with pets.
- Meet and Greet: Arrange a time to meet the animal in person to ensure there is a good connection.
- Consultation: Speak with an adoption counselor about the pet’s history, medical needs, and behavior.
- Finalization: Pay the adoption fee and complete the paperwork to take your new companion home.
The Vital Role of Fostering
Fostering is a temporary commitment that has a massive impact on animal survival. Many animals struggle in a traditional shelter environment due to stress or medical needs. By providing a quiet home, you give these pets a chance to decompress and show their true personalities.
Fostering is especially important for vulnerable populations, such as newborn kittens, senior dogs, or animals recovering from surgery. Best Friends provides all the necessary supplies, including food, crates, and medical care, so the foster volunteer only needs to provide love and a safe space.
Why Fostering Saves Lives
When you foster, you increase a shelter’s capacity to help more animals. Every pet in a foster home opens up a kennel for another animal in need. Furthermore, foster parents provide valuable insights into how a pet behaves in a home, which helps adoption counselors find the perfect permanent match.
Fostering is also a great option for people who love animals but cannot commit to a pet for its entire life. It is a flexible way to volunteer that fits into many different schedules. Most foster stays last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the animal’s needs.
Ways to Volunteer and Support
If you are not in a position to adopt or foster, there are still many ways to contribute to the mission. Volunteering your time is a valuable resource that helps keep operations running smoothly. Whether you are walking dogs at a local center or helping with administrative tasks, every hour counts.
- In-Person Volunteering: Help with animal care, cleaning, or events at a lifesaving center or the sanctuary.
- Remote Volunteering: Assist with data entry, social media, or customer service from the comfort of your home.
- Advocacy: Join the advocacy network to help pass animal-friendly laws in your community, such as ending breed-specific legislation.
- Donations: Financial contributions fund medical care, transport programs, and emergency rescue operations.
Community Involvement and Events
Participating in community events is another excellent way to show support. Events like “Strut Your Mutt” bring animal lovers together to raise money for local shelters. These events raise awareness about the importance of adoption and the goal of making every community no-kill.
Staying informed and sharing information with your social circles also helps. By educating others about the benefits of adoption and the importance of spay/neuter programs, you become a voice for the animals who cannot speak for themselves.
Resources for Current Pet Owners
Best Friends also provides extensive resources to help current pet owners keep their animals in their homes. Many pets are surrendered to shelters because of preventable behavior issues or financial hardships. Providing support to owners is a key strategy in reducing shelter intake.
Their online resource library includes articles on everything from basic training and socialization to managing complex medical conditions. They also offer guidance on finding pet-friendly housing and accessing low-cost veterinary care. By empowering owners with knowledge, the organization helps strengthen the bond between humans and their pets.
Behavior and Training Tips
Understanding animal behavior is crucial for a happy household. The organization offers tips on common issues like house training, separation anxiety, and leash pulling. Using positive reinforcement techniques ensures that training is a bonding experience rather than a stressful one.
If you encounter a behavior problem you cannot solve on your own, they often recommend reaching out to certified trainers or behaviorists. Addressing these issues early can prevent the difficult decision of having to rehome a pet.
Conclusion
Supporting animal welfare through Best Friends Animal Society is a rewarding way to make a tangible difference in the lives of pets. Whether you choose to adopt a new companion, offer your home as a foster, or volunteer your time, you are contributing to a future where every pet is safe and loved. The path to a no-kill nation is paved with the collective efforts of individuals dedicated to the “Save Them All” mission.
If you are ready to take the next step, visit a local lifesaving center or explore the online pet database today. Every action, no matter how small, brings us closer to a world where no healthy or treatable pet is killed in a shelter. For more helpful guides on animal care and community support, feel free to explore our other articles on lifestyle and home safety.