Montana Animal Lovers: Join The Movement To Save Shelter Pets

In a place as fiercely proud and independent as Montana, community means everything. Whether it's checking on a neighbor during a storm or rallying around a family in need, Montanans show up. And now, there's another way we can show up, this time, for the dogs and cats in our shelters who are depending on us to be their voice.

Best Friends Animal Society, one of the nation’s leading animal welfare organizations, is inviting animal lovers from all across the U.S., including right here in Montana, to be part of something powerful: a two-day virtual advocacy summit happening June 12 and 13. It’s the final stop in their “Bring No-Kill Home” series, and it’s a chance for people like you and me to learn how we can make an even bigger impact in our communities.

More Pets Are Being Saved but the Work Isn’t Over

Here’s the good news: In 2024, Americans saved four million dogs and cats from being euthanized in shelters. That’s huge. And it shows how far we’ve come thanks to the growing momentum behind no-kill sheltering. In fact, in just eight years, shelters have seen a nearly 60% reduction in the number of pets being killed just because there wasn’t enough room.

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But here’s the thing, while we’re moving in the right direction, animals are still losing their lives simply because they don’t have a place to call home. That’s where passionate, everyday people come in. People who care. People like you.

A Summit That Equips You to Make a Difference

This virtual summit isn’t just about big ideas, it’s about practical, everyday actions you can take to help save lives right here in Montana. From Billings to Butte and Missoula to Miles City, advocates will gain the tools to bring real change home.

The summit will feature:

• “Big dogs, big data” - Understanding why larger breeds need more support
• “Our pets, our problem” - How we as community members can prevent pets from entering shelters in the first place
• “Setting the TNVR record straight” -  A clear look at trap-neuter-vaccinate-return programs for community cats
• “Intro to legalese” - Breaking down the basics of laws and ordinances that affect animal welfare

If that sounds intimidating, don’t worry. These sessions are designed for everyday people, not lawyers or lobbyists. Whether you’ve volunteered at a shelter for years or just adopted your first rescue pup, you’ll walk away inspired and empowered.

Small Acts, Big Change

According to Best Friends, if just 1 in 17 more people adopted a pet this year instead of buying one from a breeder or pet store, America could become a no-kill country. Think about that. If a few more people in your circle chose adoption, we could tip the scale completely.

“Collective action can create big change, and we can’t do this alone,” says Laura Donahue, Senior Director of Advocacy and Network at Best Friends. “Our goal is for attendees of the virtual summit to walk away with everyday actions to use to help us take the country no-kill.”

Join the Movement From Your Living Room

The summit takes place on Thursday, June 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. EST and Friday, June 13 from 1 to 4:15 p.m. EST

It’s free. It’s virtual. And it’s a chance to be part of something meaningful. If you’re ready to learn how you can be a voice for animals in Montana, register here. You can also take it one step further by signing the no-kill pledge and showing your support for a future where every pet has a chance.

Montana Can Lead the Way

Montanans are known for our grit, our heart, and our love of animals. This summit is more than just a webinar, it’s a movement. And your voice could be the one that helps turn a shelter into a safe haven. So let’s step up, learn together, and work toward a no-kill Montana. Because saving lives isn’t just a national goal, it’s a local one too.

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To learn more, visit bestfriends.org. Let’s help Save Them All.