BetterTogether Forever

BetterTogether Forever Our mission at betterTogether Forever is to help under-served, under-resourced, at-risk people and the pets they love stay together.

People and the pets they love belong together no matter what challenges life has thrown their way. betterTogether Forever is dedicated to helping pet parents in Los Angeles communities that are under-served and under-resourced access valuable services to help them stay together with the pets they love, and to keep those pets safe, healthy, happy, off the streets, and out of animal shelters. We are

optimistic and high-energy. Equal parts relentless doer, facilitator, and connector. And And most importantly, we are passionate about solving problems…and making a difference.

We are so excited for this event put on by L34 Group | Northeast Los Angeles Realtors. Join us next week for an evening ...
08/22/2026

We are so excited for this event put on by L34 Group | Northeast Los Angeles Realtors. Join us next week for an evening of fun at Bingo Night for a Cause, put on by the L.34 Group, with all proceeds benefitting betterTogether Forever (that’s us!) a local nonprofit focused on keeping pets out of shelters!
Thursday, August 27th
Doors Open at 6:00
Games Start at 6:30
Location given when you RSVP (QR code or link in L34 Group | Northeast Los Angeles Realtors bio)
$10 Initial Buy-In Includes:
-6 Games
-1 Raffle Ticket
*additional games and tickets available for purchase during event
Drinks 🍾 and snacks 🧀 served!
MC’d by the wonderful Zucena
Prizes from Highland Park Wine, LENITA BY GRITA, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, and MADE BY PILATES!
peopleandpetstogether bingo

We are so excited for this event! Join us next week for an evening of fun at Bingo Night for a Cause, put on by the L.34...
08/22/2026

We are so excited for this event! Join us next week for an evening of fun at Bingo Night for a Cause, put on by the L.34 Group, with all proceeds benefitting (that's us!) a local nonprofit focused on keeping pets out of shelters!
Thursday, August 27th
Doors Open at 6:00
Games Start at 6:30
Location given when you RSVP
$10 Initial Buy-In Includes:
-6 Games
-1 Raffle Ticket
*additional games and tickets available for purchase during event
Drinks 🍾 and snacks 🧀 served!
MC'd by the wonderful
Prizes from , , , and !

Chip’s family came to the shelter facing an incredibly difficult decision. Their beloved 16-year-old Chihuahua was suffe...
08/14/2026

Chip’s family came to the shelter facing an incredibly difficult decision. Their beloved 16-year-old Chihuahua was suffering from a blockage, and with his health already declining, surgery was not really an option given the uncertainty surrounding his chances of recovery. With their visa requiring them to return to Japan, they were heartbroken. Chip had traveled with them several times before—he was family.

Believing he was suffering, they felt that helping him peacefully transition was the kindest thing they could do. They came to the shelter for assistance, but because the shelter does not provide euthanasia, staff connected them with us at betterTogether.

After learning more about Chip’s situation, we were able to arrange for his family to go to North Figueroa Animal Hospital, where Chip peacefully transitioned surrounded by the people who loved him. For under $200, we were able to ensure they did not have to leave their beloved companion at the shelter for his final moments.

These moments are never easy, but being there for families during some of their most heartbreaking decisions—and ensuring their pets can remain surrounded by love until the very end—is at the heart of what we do.

Patricia and her adult daughter came to the shelter with two cats, hoping to find help for a growing group of neighborho...
08/11/2026

Patricia and her adult daughter came to the shelter with two cats, hoping to find help for a growing group of neighborhood strays she has been caring for.

What started with a few friendly cats she was feeding quickly became more as they multiplied. Patricia couldn’t turn them away. She had taken them in because she didn’t want to see them harmed by people, cars, or other animals. But with so many cats to care for, feeding everyone was becoming increasingly difficult. She didn’t know that she could get them all spayed/neutered and we talked her though the process of getting vouchers through the city and using them at North Figueroa Animal Hospital.

Patricia has made the commitment to keep all four adult cats and provide a safe place for everyone until they can be spayed or neutered. Once the kittens are fixed, she will work to place them in loving homes so they can each have a safe and happy future.
For the four cats Patricia is keeping, we provided a balance voucher so they can receive their vaccinations, flea medication (thanks to Bissell), and microchips. We also provided cat food and a carrier so Patricia can safely transport them to the clinic on Tuesday for surgery.

Patricia didn’t plan on taking in so many cats. She simply saw animals who needed someone to care, and she opened her heart and her home. Now, with a little help, she can keep them safe, stop the cycle of more unwanted litters, and give the kittens a chance to find loving families of their own.

Sometimes, a little help is all it takes to turn compassion into a solution. ❤️

This is a pet person’s worst nightmare. Simba and his family were visiting a relative in Palmdale, and while running aro...
07/30/2026

This is a pet person’s worst nightmare. Simba and his family were visiting a relative in Palmdale, and while running around having the time of his life, Simba was bitten by a rattlesnake. They took him to a vet immediately for antivenom, but the cost was prohibitive and their sweet senior dog was suffering.
Simba’s person, Rosy, came to the animal shelter for assistance because our program had helped her five years ago, and she hoped we would still be there. We feared the worst because of Simba’s age and the fact that he was suffering. But instead of euthanasia, Dr. Vasquez was able to save Simba’s life with an IV and medication, and no one could be happier than Rosy. We received this thank-you note and a photo of Simba looking much more like himself.
“Good afternoon, yes we're so happy that Simba was treated we didn't have to put him to sleep 🙏 you have no idea how thankful I am for your help and the support that you gave us. Our Simba is going to be ok thanks to you. Im sending you a pic of before and after of our baby Simba. Thank you so much cuz thanks to you we have our baby with us and he’s going to be ok. May God bless you always 🙏
Rosy Savillon.”

Kittens are pouring into animal shelters, and it feels like kitten season will never end. The truth is, it won’t end wit...
07/28/2026

Kittens are pouring into animal shelters, and it feels like kitten season will never end. The truth is, it won’t end without community cats getting spayed and neutered..
Last week, Ronaldo came to the shelter with four three-month-old kittens his family had been feeding. They also happened to have the mom cat and could easily trap the dad. The kittens had already been surrendered to the animal shelter where they will be adopted or get picked up by a rescue but we knew we had to fix the mom and dad so no more litters were born on the street.
We got them in to an clinic that weekend and Ronaldo and family were happy to bring them in for surgery and care for the cats while they heal.
This is what community and compassion looks like: offering people resources and solutions so they can be part of the lifesaving work.

Sweet update to one of our stories from last month. "This family had an appointment to surrender their 6-month-old puppy...
07/24/2026

Sweet update to one of our stories from last month. "This family had an appointment to surrender their 6-month-old puppy, Carusa, due to landlord issues, her not being spayed and not having adequate supplies. By offering support thanks to donors of pet food, a harness, crate, arranging an ESA call and spay, and free dog training, they did not keep their surrender appointment — they kept Carusa!!"

This week Caruso's family completed the final piece of the puzzle. They brought her this week to our clinic for spay, vaccines and a microchip. So Carusa is home, happy and healthy. Such a turn around from almost sitting in a kennel at the shelter!

When families face financial hardship or housing challenges, surrendering a beloved pet often feels like the only option...
07/21/2026

When families face financial hardship or housing challenges, surrendering a beloved pet often feels like the only option. But with the right support, it doesn't have to be.

In this episode of the Top Dog Podcast, Christy Schilling, Executive Director and Co-Founder of BetterTogether Forever, shares how her organization is helping families stay together by providing pet food, veterinary assistance, temporary foster care, and housing resources before a crisis leads to shelter surrender.

Her conversation is a powerful reminder that preventing surrender can be just as lifesaving as facilitating an adoption.

🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode here:
https://doobert.com/christy-schilling-keeping-people-and-pets-together-in-a-housing-crisis/

📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday, featuring powerful conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

07/21/2026

People often think euthanasia is the problem.

The truth? It's usually the result of problems that started long before an animal ever reached a shelter.

Christy Schilling explains why prevention, housing support, and community resources are the real keys to reducing shelter euthanasia.

The conversation isn't easy—but it's one every animal lover needs to hear.

🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode here:
https://doobert.com/christy-schilling-keeping-people-and-pets-together-in-a-housing-crisis/

30 is the magic number! 15 cats and 15 dogs got spayed and neutered today as part of our clinic with LAACF and North Fig...
07/20/2026

30 is the magic number! 15 cats and 15 dogs got spayed and neutered today as part of our clinic with LAACF and North Figueroa Animal Hospital. And a HUGE thank you toTito's Vodka for Dog People Tito's Handmade Vodka for making this clinic possible and their continued commitment to keeping pets healthy, safe, and with the families who love them. Todays' clinic also provided vaccines and microchips for all pets getting fixed. Yay! We love being part of the solution to pet overpopulation.

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