The No-Kill Revolution: 5 Monumental Milestones Best Friends Animal Society Hit In 2025

The Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) continues to be the leading voice in the no-kill movement, and as of December 2025, the organization is closer than ever to achieving its monumental goal of making the entire United States a no-kill nation. This mission, defined by a 90% save rate for all dogs and cats entering shelters, has seen remarkable progress in the current year, thanks to strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and the tireless dedication of staff and volunteers across the country. The urgency of the No-Kill 2025 deadline has fueled a surge in lifesaving momentum, pushing communities to adopt progressive animal welfare policies.

The organization’s foundational principle—that every adoptable and treatable pet deserves a loving home—is actively being put into practice through a multifaceted approach that extends far beyond the original Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. From groundbreaking medical support for municipal shelters to targeted spay/neuter initiatives and new programs like the Adventure Buddy Program in New York, Best Friends is setting a new standard for animal rescue and care. The data for 2025 shows a significant, encouraging shift in the landscape of companion animal welfare.

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and Foundational History

The story of Best Friends Animal Society is one of radical compassion and unwavering commitment, beginning in the rugged, beautiful landscape of Southern Utah. It is a history built on the promise of a better future for homeless pets.

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The Founding Vision in Angel Canyon

The roots of Best Friends were planted in 1984 when a group of approximately 30 friends, including figures like Francis Battista, purchased a sprawling piece of land in Angel Canyon, near Kanab, Utah. At a time when the routine killing of shelter pets was the primary method of animal population control in America, this collective of animal lovers made a bold, counter-cultural promise: to establish a safe haven for unwanted animals. This place became the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary quickly grew from a small, dedicated rescue effort into the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary, housing and caring for over 1,500 animals—including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, horses, and pigs—on any given day. This physical sanctuary served as a proof-of-concept, demonstrating that a no-kill philosophy was not only possible but sustainable. The organization is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of pioneering the no-kill movement.

Key Figures and Milestones

While the founders are often described as a collective, the leadership and vision of individuals like Francis Battista were pivotal in shaping the organization's national strategy. Their work moved the focus from simply housing animals to actively supporting shelters nationwide. The organization’s headquarters remain near the Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, but its influence now spans the entire country through regional centers and the extensive Best Friends Network.

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• 1984: Founding of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.
• 1990s: Expansion of the Sanctuary and the formalization of the no-kill mission.
• 2000s: Launch of regional programs and the Best Friends Network to partner with local shelters.
• 2010s: Declaration of the ambitious No-Kill 2025 goal, aiming for a 90% save rate nationally.
• 2024: Continued lifesaving momentum, with the organization reporting significant progress toward the 2025 deadline.

The Road to No-Kill 2025: Latest Progress and Data

The year 2025 is the self-imposed deadline for Best Friends to achieve a no-kill nation, and the latest data indicates that the country is making substantial strides. The definition of a no-kill community is one that achieves a 90% save rate, which accounts for pets who are too ill or dangerous to be saved.

Mid-Year 2025 Lifesaving Jump

The first half of 2025 has been a period of intense focus and significant achievement. Data released by Best Friends showed a remarkable 19% jump in lifesaving for dogs and cats in U.S. shelters compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge in success is a direct result of increased public awareness campaigns, targeted grants, and the implementation of innovative shelter practices.

While the progress is encouraging, the mission is far from complete. Best Friends estimates that hundreds of thousands of healthy and treatable pets are still being killed in shelters annually. However, the mid-year data provides a strong indicator that the nation is on the right trajectory to meet the 2025 goal, provided the current momentum is sustained through the end of the year.

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New and Expanding Lifesaving Programs

To close the gap, Best Friends has been rolling out new and expanding existing programs in key metropolitan areas. In December 2025, the organization launched the Adventure Buddy Program at the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in New York. This initiative is designed to give shelter dogs temporary breaks from the kennel environment, allowing them to spend time with volunteers for hikes, city outings, or simply a day at home. These experiences not only improve the dogs’ well-being but also provide valuable behavioral information for potential adopters.

Furthermore, Best Friends continues to advocate for and achieve key policy changes at the state and local levels. These legislative efforts focus on increasing access to affordable veterinary care, promoting pet-inclusive housing, and supporting municipal shelters in implementing best practices.

Key Programs and Initiatives Driving the 'Save Them All' Mission

The success of the no-kill movement relies on a comprehensive strategy that addresses the root causes of pet homelessness and provides critical support to the entire animal welfare ecosystem. Best Friends has developed several core programs that serve as the backbone of its national effort.

1. National Shelter Medicine Program

One of the most critical challenges for shelters is managing the health of a large, constantly changing population of animals. The National Shelter Medicine program provides customized medical support, training, and resources to animal welfare agencies across the United States. This initiative is vital for increasing the save rate by ensuring that treatable conditions—which often lead to euthanasia—are properly diagnosed and managed. By elevating the standard of care, Best Friends helps shelters save more lives.

2. Spay & Neuter Initiative Program (SNIP)

Preventing unwanted litters is fundamental to ending pet homelessness. The Spay & Neuter Initiative Program (SNIP) is a cornerstone of Best Friends’ strategy. SNIP focuses on aggressive, targeted spay/neuter campaigns in communities with the highest intake rates. By reducing the number of animals entering the shelter system, SNIP alleviates the burden on overworked facilities and allows them to focus resources on the pets already in their care.

3. Community Cat Programs (TNR/TNV-R)

Feral and free-roaming cats pose a unique challenge. Best Friends champions humane, non-lethal solutions through Community Cat programs, primarily utilizing Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNV-R). This method involves humanely trapping outdoor cats, having them spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and then returning them to their outdoor homes. TNV-R stabilizes cat populations, improves their health, and significantly reduces the number of cats entering shelters, which is crucial for reaching the 90% save rate.

4. The Best Friends Network and Regional Centers

Best Friends operates on a collaborative model, working with over 4,000 public and private shelters and rescue groups through the Best Friends Network. This network provides grants, mentorship, and training to local organizations. Additionally, Best Friends runs regional centers in major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City, which serve as hubs for pet adoption, foster programs, and community outreach. These centers are essential for demonstrating successful, high-volume lifesaving in dense urban environments.

The journey to No More Homeless Pets is a collective effort. With the 2025 deadline rapidly approaching, the latest data from Best Friends Animal Society confirms that the no-kill movement is not just a dream but an achievable reality, driven by a national coalition committed to the well-being of every dog and cat.