Best Friends Animal Society

Why it is listed

Choose Best Friends when you want published location fees ($100/$150), a named lifetime return policy, and Sanctuary or city-center animals — plus a 6,000+ org network behind the mission. It is not a drop-in replacement for Petfinder/Adopt a Pet ZIP search of every shelter pet. Visit or apply through the location that holds the animal.

Pros & cons

Pros

• bestfriends.org/adopt 2026-09-07: adopt from Best Friends locations, network partners, or other shelters/rescues. Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah home to up to 1,600 animals (dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, pigs, and others). Lifesaving centers named for Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, New York City, Northwest Arkansas, and Houston.
• Official FAQ on that page: adult dogs $100 (puppies 6 months and under $150); adult cats $100 (kittens 6 months and under $150); fees cover spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, and a health check; senior and military promotions named. Lifetime return policy — Best Friends will take the pet back. Foster-to-adopt available at some locations. Meet-in-person encouraged.
• bestfriends.org/network/join-us: Best Friends Network is a free community of over 6,000 shelters, rescues, and support organizations in all 50 states.

Cons

• This is not Petfinder-class ZIP search of every U.S. shelter listing. The adopt page centers Best Friends inventory, near-you pets, and emailing for local shelter lists — partner network size is not the same as a full national third-party listing index.
• Adoption fees quoted are for Best Friends locations; network partners set their own fees. Process timing “varies by location.”
• A sanctuary or center listing is still not a substitute for meeting the animal and reviewing medical records.

Score breakdown