Visionaries: Best Friends Animal Society

Summary

Best Friends Animal Society's mission, founded in 1984, is to end the killing of companion animals in U.S. shelters through rescue, adoption, and community outreach. From humble beginnings in Southern Utah, the organization operates the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary and partners with shelters nationwide. Their goal, embodied in the 'Save Them All' campaign, has led to a significant reduction in shelter deaths, from 17 million to 4 million annually. With innovative programs, partnerships, and advocacy, Best Friends is driving a cultural shift toward kindness and compassion for animals, aiming for a no-kill nation by creating sustainable change across communities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Best Friends Animal Society, founded in 1984 by 31 friends, runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals in Southern Utah.
• 😀 The organization's mission is to stop the killing of companion animals in U.S. shelters, aiming for a no-kill nation with a 90% save rate.
• 😀 Best Friends operates life-saving programs in partnership with shelters and rescue groups across the country to help save animals.
• 😀 The call to action, 'Save Them All', promotes a cultural shift toward kindness over killing, advocating for the adoption of healthy, adoptable animals in shelters.
• 😀 Animals in shelters are often misunderstood as broken or abused, but most are healthy, loving, and simply displaced or abandoned.
• 😀 Best Friends emphasizes the importance of adopting animals with special needs, showing that every animal deserves a chance to be adopted.
• 😀 In the 1970s, Best Friends' founders became aware of the vast number of animals dying in shelters and created an organization to address the issue.
• 😀 The organization's sanctuary in Southern Utah provides space and time to care for and rehabilitate animals in need of adoption.
• 😀 Best Friends uses various strategies like adoptions, spay/neuter programs, and shelter interventions to reduce the number of shelter deaths.
• 😀 The Best Friends 'NKLA' initiative aims to make Los Angeles a no-kill city by 2017, focusing on saving thousands of animals and changing the community's perspective on shelter pets.

Q & A

What is the mission of Best Friends Animal Society?

The mission of Best Friends Animal Society is to stop the killing of dogs, cats, and other companion animals in shelters across the U.S., with the ultimate goal of saving them all.

How did Best Friends Animal Society start?

Best Friends Animal Society started in 1984 with 31 friends who had little money, no master plan, and few construction skills. Despite these challenges, they managed to build the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary in Southern Utah.

What is the 'Save Them All' campaign?

'Save Them All' is a call to action initiated by Best Friends Animal Society, aimed at eliminating shelter killing through various strategies, including adoptions, spay/neuter programs, and shelter interventions.

What was the state of shelter killing when Best Friends Animal Society began its work?

When Best Friends Animal Society began its work, around 17 million animals were being killed in U.S. shelters annually. Today, the number has reduced to about 4 million, though the organization still strives to bring this number to zero.

How does Best Friends Animal Society treat each animal?

Best Friends Animal Society treats each animal as an individual, trying to understand what motivates them and what they need to thrive, whether through rehabilitation or socialization to help them find a forever home.

What impact did Hurricane Katrina have on animal welfare efforts?

Hurricane Katrina highlighted the need for disaster preparedness involving pets. It led to the passage of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, requiring communities to have plans to evacuate pets in case of disaster to receive FEMA funding.

How does Best Friends Animal Society assist in the adoption of animals in Los Angeles?

Best Friends operates the NKLA (No-Kill Los Angeles) initiative, which includes partnerships with over 70 rescue organizations and shelters to promote adoption and reduce euthanasia rates. They also run an adoption center that houses animals from multiple organizations.

What are 'Victory Dogs' and how did they come to Best Friends Animal Society?

'Victory Dogs' refers to the dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s dog fighting operation. Best Friends took in 22 of the most challenging dogs, rehabilitated them, and found loving homes for many, helping to change policies regarding animals from fight rings.

What role does community involvement play in the success of Best Friends Animal Society?

Community involvement is crucial to the success of Best Friends Animal Society. By partnering with other rescue organizations, shelters, and local communities, they have been able to significantly reduce shelter killing and promote adoption.

What does Best Friends Animal Society mean by 'no-kill'?

A 'no-kill' designation means that at least 90% of the animals in shelters are saved, either through adoption, rehabilitation, or other strategies. The goal is to ensure that no healthy or adoptable animal is euthanized.