BestPals Animal Rescue Center

BestPals Animal Rescue Center
Located in Holland, MI
We take in owner-surrender/shelter-transfer cats & dogs. BestPals is a No Kill non-profit rescue run by volunteers.

We take in owner-surrendered and shelter-transferred dogs and cats when space and resources are available. Visiting hours by appointment, call (616) 212-3368 or email [email protected]! https://linktr.ee/bestpalsrescue

Are you looking for a Hunk for the Holidays? “Blue is a 13 year old brindle pit mix with one of the sweetest souls you’l...
12/06/2025

Are you looking for a Hunk for the Holidays? “Blue is a 13 year old brindle pit mix with one of the sweetest souls you’ll ever meet. He came to Best Pals after his family fell into homelessness and was unable to keep him in the hotel where they were staying. With love and heartbreak, his mom surrendered him so her children would have a safe place to sleep. https://www.adoptapet.com/.../46395970-holland-michigan...
Available at BestPals Animal Rescue Center 616.212.3368 Michelle Kenat. Holland, MI By appointment.
Despite everything, Blue acts like a dog half his age. He loves car rides, long walks, tug of war and a good bone to chew on. He’s also a champion cuddle buddy and happiest when he’s relaxing near his person. Blue lived peacefully with children and doesn’t seem to mind cats. He may resource guard food or toys at times, so he’d do best as the only dog in a calm, loving home.
Blue received full vaccines and a senior blood panel upon arrival, which revealed he has Lyme disease. He is currently on a 30 day treatment and responding well. He’ll just need someone willing to keep up with his routine care as he continues to feel better.
Blue is gentle, loyal and endlessly loving. He deserves a soft landing and a home where he can enjoy his golden years in comfort and safety. If you’re looking for a grateful, affectionate companion, Blue is ready to meet you.”

CALVIN! CALVIN! CALVIN!  You will be missed along with Sawyer(Spartan) and Cedar(Sophie). We just heard the news of his ...
12/04/2025

CALVIN! CALVIN! CALVIN! You will be missed along with Sawyer(Spartan) and Cedar(Sophie). We just heard the news of his passing and send our condolences to Dan and Rita Storm. This energetic, crazy pup turned our world upside down and sideways with his antics. We learned so much about dog behavior from this guy. It took a village of trainers, volunteers, treadmill walks and playdates until along came the Pack leader family he needed. Check out his story below.

"What a lucky DOG! Dan and Rita, you are our heroes!
Who can forget this handsome pup? He was brought to our local shelter as a stray in April 2013! What a journey it has been to save this boy's life and guarantee him a forever home. His good looks and spunky personality caught our eye and we decided to rescue him from the local shelter. We loved him and worked with him, teaching him to sit and stay, and he was quickly adopted. Within weeks the family said he had much too much energy for them. He was jumpy and mouthy. He was a pushy pup!
We decided to have him evaluated. Our vet, Dr Swift, said he would need a firm hand and lots of exercise. We drove to Dog Star Ranch in Muskegon, where he had temperament tests and more evaluations. We asked James Spangler, a dog trainer in Muskegon, to work with him and even foster him for a time. Volunteers and board members came daily to walk and work with Calvin.
A couple, Dan and Rita, came to visit Calvin but decided he had too much energy for their older dog, so they adopted another dog of ours who had been waiting for almost 2 years to find a home. We were overjoyed for the adoption of Miss Sophie Potts, but we wondered... will Calvin ever find a home?
These wonderful people who adopted Sophie (now Ceder) wanted to help us with Calvin. They bought us a treadmill and taught us how to work with him on it so that over the harsh winter he could still get his exercise. One board member started bringing him home at night, admitting that it was like having a toddler who had to be watched every minute!
James Spangler told us to remind people, don't look, don't talk, don't touch. Let the dog follow you, be calm and in control! A tall order for some of us but we never gave up! Dan and Rita started taking Calvin on hikes. Then they asked if they could keep him overnight! ("Gladly," we replied). They started taking him for the weekend. Sometimes they called and asked, "Can we keep him another day?" Are you kidding? "Of course you can!!"
They began to foster Calvin full time They asked us to join them on a hike in the dunes. "We will make it worth your while," they promised. So I went last Sunday... and to my amazement I saw the two best dogs I have ever seen! If the dogs went too far ahead, Dan or Rita would call their names or whistle, and they would STOP! " Too far," they would say, and the dogs would head back to them! Really amazing! Especially for the most stubborn dog that I have ever met! Calvin has been transformed. He is a wonderful dog. It took a village to get him to Dan and Rita, but their hard, HARD work and dedication has saved the life of this beautiful boy. We are so grateful for their love and patience.
So now adoption papers are signed and Calvin is now (2 years after being found) in his forever home!!"
Thank you, each and every one of you, for your support!
Happy Tails!
--
Michelle Kenat-- Director

Thank you to all of our supporters who donated to   Maddie's Match, we raised enough to receive a $1000 donation to help...
12/03/2025

Thank you to all of our supporters who donated to Maddie's Match, we raised enough to receive a $1000 donation to help with vet care, spay/neuter, vaccinations, etc. Rebecca has been dog walking/cat sitting for 16 years raising funds to paw it forward to local rescues and helps with walking our adoptable dogs and takes them home for day visits.

As the temps dip down this winter, enjoy the beauty and a hot beverage, but remember to bundle up your doggy friends and...
12/03/2025

As the temps dip down this winter, enjoy the beauty and a hot beverage, but remember to bundle up your doggy friends and limit their time outside. Newly adopted Ace, by volunteer Becca Bochenek, is modeling one of the Christmas sweaters that someone kindly donated to the rescue.
You can find more of these fine looks, halters, leashes, Catnip toys, etc at the Lazy Cat Lounge and Consignment Shop(shop at the BestPals section:) located in front of our rescue at 6674 Blair Lane, Holland. This space is run by Wendee Hofbauer-Drees just past the BestPals sign. Open Tue, Wed, Fri 11-7 pm and Thur/Sat 9-5 pm. $10 per visit, stay as long as you like.

❤️ Giving Tuesday: Help Us Finish What Love Started ❤️Almost a year ago, BestPals received a desperate call from a woman...
12/02/2025

❤️ Giving Tuesday: Help Us Finish What Love Started ❤️
Almost a year ago, BestPals received a desperate call from a woman, Judy, living in a small trailer park. Her voice was weak, but her heart was enormous. For nearly 20 years, she had been rescuing every abandoned, forgotten, and thrown-away cat that showed up at her door.
Cats left behind when people moved. Kittens born sick and starving under trailers. One tiny soul found in a dumpster. Even the ferals—terrified of people—were welcomed. She opened her door to them all. Inside her little home. They were warm, fed, and safe. For two decades, she gave them everything she had.
And then… she fell.
Judy was taken away by ambulance, expecting to return in a few days. Instead, she never went home again. She was sent to the hospital, then to rehab, and told she could no longer live independently. Her greatest fear wasn’t for herself—it was for her cats.
That’s when BestPals got the call:
“Can you take five friendly cats?”
But when we arrived, it wasn’t five. It was an entire forgotten colony of cats who had only ever known compassion from one woman. Some were healthy, but many were sick, elderly, or in desperate need of care.
So, we began.
Every other day, we drove to the trailer park—feeding, waiting, gaining their trust. We left traps open so they’d learn they weren’t something to fear. When one went in, we would snap a photo and send it to their mom in the hospital:
“Who is this? Friendly or feral? Any health issues?”
Each cat went straight to Dr. Jim Bader in Glenn for exams, vaccinations, testing, parasite treatment, and microchips. Some, heartbreakingly, were nearly 20 years old and had gone too long without medication. For those precious seniors, we stayed with them until their final breath—telling them what their mom couldn’t: She loves you. She didn’t want to leave you. You are not alone.
For the feral cats, we partnered with Focus on Ferals. They had known this woman for years and opened their arms to each feral we trapped, giving them sanctuary and safety.
One by one…
We trapped.
We transported.
We treated.
We loved.
And one by one, the cats were placed at BestPals or Focus on Ferals—where they were cared for, healed, and eventually adopted.
Today, only two remain at BestPals:
🐾 Diamond — the sweetheart
🐾 Eenie — the shy girl we think may have been feral but has chosen love.
They are bonded, so they will only leave us together. Until then, they are safe. They are loved. They are home.
________________________________________
🌟 Why We Need You This Giving Tuesday
This rescue was massive.
It took months of daily visits, veterinary care, food, traps, transportation, medications, and unwavering commitment. All for cats who would have had no one else.
We did it because love asked us to.
And today, we’re asking you.
On this Global Day of Giving, your donation lets us say “yes” to the next desperate call, the next injured stray, the next abandoned kitten who has no one.
💛 $10 feeds a cat for a week
💛 $25 provides vaccines
💛 $50 covers microchipping and testing
💛 $100 supports a senior or special-needs kitty
💛 Any amount saves a life
When others look away, BestPals steps in—but we can only do it with your help.
👉 Please donate today and help us continue this life-saving work.
Together, we can make sure every homeless animal gets the second chance they deserve.
🐾 Give me hope. Give love. Give life.
Give to BestPals this Giving Tuesday.

Another reason to remember us on  !We received a call that broke our hearts. Our trusted veterinarian reached out to ask...
12/01/2025

Another reason to remember us on !

We received a call that broke our hearts. Our trusted veterinarian reached out to ask if we had space for Blue, a 13 year old brindle pit mix, with the sweetest soul.

Blue’s family had fallen into homelessness. When a local church was able to place them in a hotel, Blue wasn’t allowed to stay. His mom, who was caring for 3 children, had to make an impossible decision. With love and heartbreak, she surrendered Blue so that her children could have a safe place to sleep.

Despite all that he has been through, Blue behaves like a dog half his age. He enjoys car rides, long walks, tug of war and chewing on a good bone. He loves naps, cuddles and being near his person. He lives peacefully with kids, doesn’t seem to mind cats, and while he may resource guard his food or toys, he has never bitten anyone. We believe that he will thrive as an only dog in a quiet, loving home.

When Blue arrived, we learned he was overdue for his vaccines. Thanks to our wonderful vet, Dr. Bader at Jimbabwe Acres, Blue received full vaccinations and a senior blood panel. That panel revealed something that we did not expect: Blue has Lyme disease. He is now on a 30 day course of treatment and is responding well, but his medical care has created expenses that we did not anticipate.

This is where we need your help. Blue deserves comfort, health and the chance to spend his golden years knowing he is safe and loved. Your donation will directly support:

✔️ His Lyme treatment
✔️ Follow up labs and ongoing medical monitoring
✔️ Quality food for senior dogs
✔️ Daily care and enrichment while he waits for a forever home

Every gift, big or small, helps us continue to say “yes” to dogs like Blue, dogs who have lost everything through no fault of their own.

❤️ If Blue’s story touches your heart, please consider donating to his care. Together, we can show him that he isn’t forgotten and that compassion always finds a way.

Thank you for helping us give Blue the future he deserves.

Just a few weeks ago, BestPals received a phone call from a family who had been evicted. Their cats were left alone in t...
11/30/2025

Just a few weeks ago, BestPals received a phone call from a family who had been evicted. Their cats were left alone in their trailer, with no one to care for them. With no other help available, we promised to come out and evaluate the situation. Upon arrival, we met six beautiful and friendly cats, all various shades of black and white. The cats appeared confused, missing their family.
We immediately packed up the six cats and transported them to Jimbabwe Acres, PC, where our veterinarian, Dr. Jim Bader, could assess their condition. The cats were covered in fleas and had not received their necessary vaccines. Following our standard protocol, we provided flea treatment, administered worming medication, updated their distemper and rabies vaccinations, tested them for FeLV/FIV (feline leukemia and feline AIDS), and microchipped each cat.
During the evaluation, we learned that Princess, the sweetest of the group, tested positive for feline leukemia (FeLV). While this diagnosis is not a death sentence, Princess must either be the only cat in the household or live with other FeLV-positive cats. She is currently being fostered while waiting for a home that can accommodate her needs.
Our veterinarian recommended a more in-depth blood test for the cats to determine if Princess' positive result was accurate and to see if any of the other cats were carriers. This expensive test, known as PCR, was conducted for all six cats, resulting in a bill of $2,000 for that first morning's care. When the results arrived, it confirmed that Princess was indeed FeLV positive, but none of the other cats were carriers or had the disease.
To further protect the five FeLV-negative cats, our veterinarian advised administering the FeLV vaccine, followed by a booster shot three weeks later. This added another $400 to the cost of their care.
In total, we spent $2,400 to save these six loving cats from a potential death sentence. Staying true to our mission, BestPals will continue to care for these cats until their forever homes are found.
This rescue operation is just one example of the calls we receive daily. Each day, BestPals is contacted by families and individuals seeking help for animals in need. We want to help even more pets like these sweet cats, but we require funding to continue our mission. This is why we turn to our supporters—because Together We Rescue.

We love it when our adopted pets go into homes with new furiends. Mika, Maddie, Simon, Zoro and Cadence(in foster to ado...
11/29/2025

We love it when our adopted pets go into homes with new furiends. Mika, Maddie, Simon, Zoro and Cadence(in foster to adopt) and Ace all hit the jackpot with loving families and best pals!

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13888 Blair Street
Holland, MI
49424

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