For those looking to add a new member to the family, two animal centers in Bentonville offer dog and cat adoptions. Both facilities offer additional pet services such as microchipping and vaccinations. 

Best Friends Pet Resource Center

Founded in Utah and new to NWA in 2023, this revolutionary facility is a whole lot more than just an animal shelter. The 20,000-square-foot Bentonville space hosts a “cat cafe,” kitten playroom, a large outdoor space for dogs and a vegan coffee shop. There’s even a long playground-style slide that can take kids (and adults) from the top floor to the lower level. 

Going on now, Best Friends has teamed up with NBCUniversal Local for “Clear the Shelters,” a nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign. The center is offering $25 adoptions through Sept. 10. Adoptions are typically $75, although fees are waived for dogs and cats 7 years and older. 

Best Friends hosts various adoption events throughout the year, such as the Super Adoption Event in June, where more than 200 dogs and cats from all across Arkansas found homes. 

However, there’s no need to be in the market for a new pet to come to Best Friends. Families, teens and even knitting groups come to the center to pet kittens, work in the cat room, or see the new puppies. 

“The purpose behind the pet resource center is to bring pets and people together in a way that completely upends the idea of a traditional shelter,” said Linda DeBerry, senior specialist for strategic communications and outreach. “We really think this is the shelter of the future.”

The mission of Best Friends is admirable — to completely end killing in shelters. When Best Friends first started in 1984 in Utah, over 17 million animals were being euthanized in shelters. In 2023, there were around 415,000. 

“Our goal is to get to no kill, every sanctuary, every town across the country, by the end of 2025,” DeBerry said. “People say that can’t be done — look at what we just did. Seventeen million to 415,000. It’s not just a sanctuary or organization, it’s a movement.”

The center pulls dogs and cats at risk of euthanasia from shelters to house at its facility. Dogs are typically fostered out by volunteers until adoption.

Already own a pet? Best Friends offers free microchip and vaccination clinics every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for anyone who wants to take part. There is also a free do-it-yourself dog wash area. 

Best Friends Pet Resource Center is open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is located at 1312 Melissa Dr. in Bentonville. 

Ready to Adopt?

• How: Fill out a form in person at Best Friends, and then have a short interview with a staff member. They will ask questions about your living situation, if you have kids, etc., to make sure the pet will be an appropriate fit.

• Requirements: There are no requirements or home inspections for adoption.

• When can I bring the animal home?: Same day

• Cost: $25 through Sept. 10 for the center’s “Clear the Shelters” event. Typical adoption rates are $75. Kittens are 2-for-1. Fees are waived for senior pets 7+.

• More information: bestfriends.org/northwest-arkansas

• Volunteer opportunities?: Yes, find out more.

• View adoptable pets here.

Bentonville Animal Services

Bentonville Animal Services is the city-run shelter for pet adoptions and other services. The shelter can hold around 20 to 22 animals at a time but typically houses a little under that number due to fostering.

Bentonville Animal Services does not accept owner surrenders, so animals at the location are typically stray dogs. Lost pets are held for up to seven days before being put up for adoption. The facility only takes in cats if they are sick, injured or pregnant, or orphaned kittens.

Pets are typically spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated before adoption. If any of those services are incomplete before adoption, animal services will schedule those services for the pet for free.

This facility also offers microchipping and registration services for $10 per pet for all residents, not just adopted pets. The city of Bentonville requires all dogs and cats over four months of age to be microchipped and the number registered with Bentonville Animal Services within 30 days, along with a rabies vaccination and certificate. 

“There is a city ordinance … for microchipping,” said Tylor Shambles, animal services supervisor. “So our return-to-owner rate is great for getting dogs back to their owners.”

For pets already microchipped, animal services can register them in the city system at no cost. 

The shelter also handles wildlife complaints and injured animals.

Bentonville Animal Services is located at 801 SW 41 St. in Bentonville and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ready to Adopt?

• How: Fill out the required form at Bentonville Animal Services or online

• Requirements: There are no home checks for adoption. There is an option to foster for a two-week trial period before adoption.

• When can I bring the animal home?: Same day

• Cost: $75 for dogs, $50 for cats

• More information: For questions or to schedule a microchip implant, please email [email protected] or call 479-254-2055.

• Volunteer opportunities?: Yes, find out more.

• View adoptable pets here.