Keep Pets Alive
A community-driven bridge between shelters, rescues, and the people who support them.
We Are The Bridge
Keep Pets Alive is a Best Friends action team in Central Florida dedicated to a single, powerful goal: saving lives. We serve as the critical link uniting animal shelters, rescue partners, adopters, and the community to solve pet homelessness.
We believe that saving lives requires a coordinated network. Operating as a collaborative resource hub, we empower local partners and match pets in crisis with eager foster families and adopters. Our team provides the essential resources needed to prevent unnecessary euthanasia, from secure transport to emergency medical funding.
By focusing on the animals most at risk—especially those facing euthanasia—we provide a lifeline when it is needed most. We are building the framework to end unnecessary euthanasia throughout our state, one life at a time.
*Achieved through the collaborative efforts of KPA, partner dog welfare advocacy groups, and dedicated individuals.
Our Journey
From a neighborhood grassroots group to a recognized Best Friends action team.
Grassroots Action
Formed as a grassroots dog lifesaving group with just 10 volunteers on Nextdoor. We united to target at-risk pets at Orange County Animal Services, focusing on those most in need.
Building the Foundation
Aligning with national best practices, we implemented scalable systems for fostering, transport, and Best Friends action team coordination.
Expanding Our Reach
Our team grew to over 60 members, successfully saving over 100 lives through collaborative action.
The Vision
Driving Central Florida toward sustainable "No-Kill" status. We are expanding our digital platforms, growing our foster network, and securing resources to ensure every adoptable pet has a future.
A Best Friends Action Team
Our 2026 Plan
The Situation
The Orange County Animal Shelter saves 83% of the dogs and cats that enter. The accepted US shelter standard is 90%. To reach it, OCAS must stop euthanizing 1,000 pets per year.
Dogs and cats OCAS saves today
The accepted US shelter standard
Pets a year OCAS must stop euthanizing
Best Friends Animal Society says OCAS is making progress, and we agree. But we know they can urgently save many more lives, and Keep Pets Alive will advocate and help.
Our Mission
Achieving a no-kill Orange County at a 90% save rate through rescue, foster, adoption and community support.
How We Save 1,000 Pets in 12 Months
Our plan to keep 1,000 pets a year from being euthanized by OCAS rests on five priorities.
A Stronger Foster Program
An expanded and more flexible OCAS foster program and many more fosters.
More Adopters
Many more adopters for OCAS dogs.
Direct Support Where It Counts
More help going directly to rescues and fosters, and to their medical, vet, and care needs.
More Volunteer Leaders
More KPA volunteer leaders for advocates, fosters, and volunteers.
Greater Visibility
Higher-visibility and impactful KPA marketing and events.
Get to Know Us and Join Us
Everything we do is guided by five core values. Get to know them, explore Keep Pets Alive and our Best Friends Action Team, and join us.
Want to join or have questions? Email us anytime.
We are one team, with you, for them.
Our work is rooted in the belief that collaboration saves lives.
What drives us
Our Values
Keep Pets Alive values seamlessly mirror the DNA of Best Friends Animal Society and also demonstrate our advocacy team foundation.
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Integrity, Transparency, and Authenticity
We treat all living things as we wish to be treated. We do what we say we do, ensuring absolute honesty with our community, our partners, and ourselves.
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Collaborative Partnership
Collaboration is in our DNA. We know that achieving a no-kill community requires a collective responsibility, uniting shelters, rescues, and citizens to save them all.
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Compassion and Civility
We demonstrate deep empathy and respect for all living creatures. We channel our passion into constructive, respectful, and dignified communication with everyone we encounter.
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Wisdom, Innovation, and Leadership
We lead by example. We unite sound judgment and experience with forward-thinking vision and ideas, developing and sharing the best practices necessary to transform animal welfare.
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Initiative, Drive, Accountability, and Positive Influence
We are relentlessly focused on excellence and measurable impact. We judge our success by the lives actively saved and the positive experiences of the people we touch, holding ourselves fully accountable to the mission.
The people behind the mission
The names on the door
Five commitments, kept by real people. Meet a few of them.
Join Our Mission
Whether you can volunteer your time or open your home as a foster, there are many ways to help save more lives in our community.