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Best Friends National Adoption Weekend

Best Friends National Adoption Weekend is an exclusive network partner event created to help organizations like yours adopt more animals. Participating partners have access to a robust marketing toolkit, national exposure on the Best Friends website and social channels, local and national press releases, as well as grant incentives for participating and reporting results.

September event results in over 10,600 animals adopted!


The recent Best Friends National Adoption Weekend held September 15-17 resulted in 10,621 dogs and cats adopted. That's an impressive 21% increase in total adoptions over the same 3-day period last year. A total of 519 shelters and rescue groups participated and 60% of those organizations reported that they chose to reduce or waive their adoption fees. Network partners that reduced adoption fees during the event had 45% higher adoptions for cats and 40% higher adoptions for dogs compared to groups that made no fee changes during the event. Thank you to those participating partners that worked to make this weekend a lifesaving success!

Find out more information about becoming a network partner and Shelter Pet Data Alliance.

Any other questions, email bfnetwork@bestfriends.org 

Check back soon for updates on events happening in 2024.

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Over 9,000 animals adopted during the 3-day July event


Below are some highlights from the most recent national adoption weekend:Woman holding adopted sign next to cat carrier

  • 9,470 animals were adopted
  • 599 network partners participated
  • 30% increase in total adoptions over the same 3-day period last year
  • 63% of network partners chose to reduce or waive their adoption fees
  • Network partners that reduced adoption fees during the event had 119% more dog adoptions and 86% more cat adoptions than those that made no fee change 

Participants in July’s National Adoption Weekend share some of their happiest tales.

*Participating partners will be able to follow their own normal adoption procedures but must report results to receive the stipend. Only one person can make an organization profile on Shelter Pet Data Alliance. After the profile is created, additional admins and/or users must be invited from within the account. Currently, Shelter Pet Data Alliance is only accepting accounts and data for organizations managing transfers of ownership of dogs and cats.