Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

After leaving the North Rim we popped down the road to Kanab so that we could pay a visit to the Best Friends Animal Society, the largest no-kill sanctuary in the world. Their 3000 acres in Angel Canyon are home to around 1500 dogs, cats, horses, pigs, rabbits and birds.


Our visit included a tour of the facility and some volunteering. Because we were last minute additions "Dogtown" already had all of the volunteers they needed, but we were able to help out with the cats, providing me with my first ever opportunity to walk a cat...


...and a chance to meet cool characters like this guy:


This shelter, funded entirely by donations, takes in animals from all over, where-ever unwanted or abused pets are to be found. They fix them up, train them, spay/neuter, and then place an extraordinary percentage them in permanent homes. They also work hard to promote adoption of pets as a more responsible alternative to breeders and, most of all, pet shops. Kinsey and Toby are from breeders. We certainly don't regret getting them, but we've gotten the message, and when we are ready for another pet, we will certainly look at adoption first. Best Friends is a great organization and an amazing facility. If you ever pass through southern Utah, stop by and give them some of your time.