CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Homeless pets deserve a place to call home, and Best Friends Animal Society is committed to that mission. From free tours to sleepovers with animal residents, Best Friends offers unique ways for people to connect with and support animals and help build a world where every pet has a forever home.
View of Angel Canyon at sunset, Kanab, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
“We have this fantastic sanctuary in Kanab,” said Michelle Sathe, public relations and marketing strategist for Best Friends. “It’s the largest no-kill sanctuary where you can visit and volunteer, take free daily tours, meet some of our 1,600 animals and potentially bring home a new best friend.”
Red rock vistas and the scent of sage encompass the sanctuary in Kanab’s extraordinary Angel Canyon, which is further enriched by the unwavering love and dedication Best Friends’ members, volunteers and caregivers show to the animals who call it home.
Best Friends offers a family- and budget-friendly experience. Visitors can enjoy free tours of Dog Town, Cat World, Horse Haven, Marshall’s Piggy Paradise, Bunny House and Parrot Garden, or take a special walking tour at the Wild Friends facility to see how they help orphaned and injured wild animals. Feeling hungry? Savor a $5 all-you-can-eat vegan lunch with a million-dollar view.
This was the sanctuary’s debut year in the Best of Southern Utah competition, and they came away with three gold awards: Best Place to Volunteer, Best Nonprofit Organization and Best Place to Buy Unique Gifts for the Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile, their hotel in Kanab.
The Roadhouse and Mercantile features a collection of uniquely curated items. From Best Friends merchandise for both animal lovers and their pets to stylish sweatshirts, hats, lifestyle accessories, cookbooks and distinctive Utah gifts, there’s something special for everyone.
Volunteers pet a potbellied pig at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
“It’s really gratifying to be recognized by Southern Utah,” Sathe said. “Sometimes it feels like Best Friends is Southern Utah’s best-kept secret, so it’s really wonderful to be recognized by our community, especially as the best nonprofit and best place to volunteer.”
Founded in 1984, Best Friends is dedicated to making the world a better place through kindness to animals. Each year, around 35,000 visitors come to experience their sanctuary’s magic, drawn by the compassionate staff, remarkable animals and the breathtaking beauty of Southern Utah’s red rock landscape.
In addition to the Kanab facility, Best Friends operates a center in Salt Lake City and adoption centers in Los Angeles, New York City, Houston and northwest Arkansas, along with various program cities. Together, they successfully place tens of thousands of animals into loving homes each year.
Volunteers play a crucial role, dedicating countless hours to support the organization. Their efforts allow the animals to meet new people and experience new things, enriching their lives as they wait for their forever homes.
Volunteer opportunities at the sanctuary range from spending quality time with pigs – brushing, feeding and cleaning – to walking dogs, taking approved dogs off-site for hikes and socializing with cats, among many other activities. Guests staying at the Roadhouse and Mercantile, RV site or one of the on-site cabins or cottages have the unique chance to enjoy a sleepover with a pet, adding an extra layer of connection to their visit.
“The sleepover experience is such a cool experience for the person and the pet,” Sathe said. “When people take a sanctuary pet for a sleepover, not only are you giving them a break from sanctuary life, but you’re also providing the adoptions team with really valuable information.”
Staff member handles a scarlet macaw at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
The experience plays a vital role in helping animals find their forever homes by assessing their behaviors, such as their interactions with new people, other animals and other various situations.
At Best Friends, approximately 80% of the animals find loving homes, while about 20% remain at the sanctuary for life. These lifelong residents typically have special medical needs or behavioral concerns, making the sanctuary the ideal place for them to receive the care and support they require. The facility houses a diverse array of animals, including dogs, cats, bunnies, goats, pigs, birds and horses. The majority are available for adoption.
Three adoption areas are open on-site daily. The welcome center features Roxy’s Room, where dogs are available for adoption, along with a dedicated cat room. Sinjin’s Room and Cat World also showcase adoptable cats. Additionally, the adoption hub on Rhonda Road in Dog Town offers both dogs and cats available for adoption. All adoption facilities are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the winter.
A range of pets are available for adoption, from social and friendly animals to more reserved ones that may need extra time to open up. For those willing to invest the additional effort, Sathe assures that the rewards are well worth it.
Special needs and senior pets, as well as kittens and others currently in the process of being available for adoption, can be viewed online. Prospective adopters can schedule a time to meet these animals in person. If the available animals at the open adoption facilities aren’t the right fit, an adoption counselor is ready to recommend a dog or cat from other areas of the sanctuary they feel would be a perfect match.
Staff member walks dogs at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Kanab, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society, St. George News
“Anytime someone adopts from Best Friends, it supports our goal to make America a no-kill country in 2025,” Sathe said. “A really interesting statistic shows that if just 6% more Americans would adopt rather than shop for a pet, America would be no-kill.
“We work with people to understand their lifestyle needs and what kind of pet would make a great fit for them. A lot of people feel like adopting from us is special because it’s such a spectacular facility, and the staff and volunteers really know these animals and can help make a great match.”
Best Friends collaborates with animal shelters throughout Utah and across the country. Each adoption not only helps one animal find a loving home but also frees up space for others in need to receive the care they deserve. The sanctuary offers extensive resources, including medical and specialized care, that are often not available at other facilities.
Whether you’re eager to volunteer, find a new furry friend or enjoy a family-friendly day at the sanctuary, Best Friends provides a fulfilling experience for both animals and visitors. For more details on Best Friends, including volunteer opportunities, on-site tours and adoptable pets, visit their website.
Written by JESSI BANG for St. George News.
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Resources
Best Friends Animal Society | Address: 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab | Telephone: 435-688-2327 | Website.
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