One animal shelter’s story shows what’s possible

In May, Regional Animal Shelter of King William County hosted a community-focused open house that led to happy endings for pets in need.

On May 31, Regional Animal Shelter of King William County welcomed the community for a lively open house filled with laughter, games, and heartwarming moments. Sponsored by Friends of King William Animal Shelter, all dog and cat adoption fees were covered, encouraging many families to bring home new pets.

By the end of the day, five dogs and five kittens were adopted into loving homes.

To support the shelter’s efforts, Best Friends Animal Society’s shelter engagement team visited ahead of the event to provide in-person training for staff, people from Friends of King William Animal Shelter, and animal services officers. This hands-on support helped the team prepare and strengthened collaboration for their lifesaving work.

Attendees enjoyed face painting, carnival games, free food, and a chance to connect with shelter staff and volunteers. Best Friends staff also stayed on-site during the event to offer support and help create a welcoming, adopter-friendly experience.

Most importantly, pets left the event with new families and fresh starts, making the day a big win for the shelter and the community.

This event showed how much can be accomplished when shelters and communities work together. By adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating, you help make these moments possible for pets across Virginia.

A few weeks later in June, the shelter celebrated two more adoptions. Millie and Laddy, both dogs with difficult pasts who had been at the shelter for some time, were finally welcomed into loving homes.

Millie, a 6-year-old pit bull terrier-like dog, arrived at the shelter in April in poor condition. She had infected ears, skin issues, dental pain, a large mammary mass, and severe hair loss. Despite it all, she greeted staff with a wag and a hopeful look. With medical care and time in a foster home, Millie transformed into a sweet, snuggly couch potato.

Laddy, a 4-year-old hound, came in scared and withdrawn, with heartworms and a raw wound on his face. He was placed with the same experienced foster volunteer who cared for Millie. Over time, he began to trust and slowly revealed his goofy and gentle nature.

Their foster home gave them everything they needed to heal and feel safe. In June, both dogs were adopted into separate, loving homes. Their foster volunteer stood nearby, tearfully celebrating the lives she helped change.

This is what foster care makes possible. This is what rescue looks like.

The adoptions of Millie and Laddy are a reminder of what is possible when shelters, foster volunteers, and communities come together. With August recognized as National Dog Month and National Dog Day coming up on August 26, it is a great time to reflect on the impact we can make for dogs in shelters.
From those who’ve been there for a while to those just arriving, every dog deserves a chance at a better future. Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate, your support helps make that future possible.

This is just one example of the many efforts local shelters are making every day to save lives. Now more than ever, shelters need support. Every action makes a difference, and you can help.

See how you can support shelters across Virginia

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.