A Place of Hope – and a Movement for an Entire Nation

What began as a sanctuary in the red rock canyons of Utah has grown into one of the most powerful animal welfare networks in the United States:

Best Friends Animal Society is fighting to bring the killing of dogs and cats in shelters to an end — once and for all.
In the canyonlands of Kanab, surrounded by over 3,700 hectares of protected wilderness, one of the world’s largest no-kill sanctuaries was created – a place of refuge for injured, abandoned, or difficult-to-place animals.

But Best Friends is more than a location:
It’s an idea. A movement. A coalition of over 4,000 shelters, rescue groups, and communities across the country – united by one powerful goal.

🐾 The No-Kill Vision: 2025 Is the Goal
In 2016, CEO Julie Castle made a bold promise:
By 2025, no dog or cat in a U.S. shelter should be killed simply due to lack of space or resources.

At that time, nearly 2 million animals were euthanized annually for this reason. Today – just a few years later – the number has dropped to around 425,000 per year.

📊 Hope in Numbers
2 out of 3 shelters in the U.S. now operate under no-kill policies.
Still, every 90 seconds, an animal dies in a shelter — but:
In the first half of 2025 alone, the nationwide save rate increased by 19% compared to the previous year.

This movement proves: meaningful change is possible when people come together.
Best Friends is living proof – with vision, resilience, and a network that protects animals by transforming entire communities.

🖼️ What We Want to Show You
With kind permission from Best Friends, we hope to offer you a glimpse into their extraordinary work – through images, through numbers, and through hope.