Best Friends Animal Society

Located just five miles north of Kanab in beautiful Angel Canyon is America’s largest and most extraordinary animal sanctuary – the well named “Best Friends.”  About 1,700 rescue animals live in thoughtfully designed communities like Horse Haven, Dogtown, Cat World, Piggy Paradise, Bunny House, Parrot Garden and Wild Friends.  Surrounded by the spectacular beauty of their new environment, animals that are ill, neglected, lost or abused finally find a happy new healing refuge and plenty of TLC.

So much more than just a shelter, this 3,700-acre innovative sanctuary provides the care needed to help each and every animal with what they need to thrive.  Most of these animals are adopted by loving families once their needs are met; others will spend the rest of their lives here.  Their touching stories have become the magical history of this special place.

Visitors are welcomed year-round, Best Friends offers free daily tours.  “Visit, Volunteer, Adopt” is the motto that greets visitors arriving for one of the four daily tours.  Be prepared for a happy encounter with grinning dogs and sassy cats; all the animals here are enjoying a second chance at the good life they deserve.  You can also stop by the Best Friends Visitor Center, located in the heart of Kanab.

Bucket List

Volunteer at Best Friends over a holiday.  Little is more special than sharing Holiday Cheer with an animal that can use some extra special attention.

Local Favorite

Most local lodging will allow people volunteering at Best Friends to bring a “sleep-over” pet “home” with them for a night.  Kanab is pet friendly.

Great Hikes

Take a Pooch for a Walk:  Take a pooch or a kitty for a walk; if you make volunteering at Dogtown part of your vacation, you can make a dog happy by taking it for a walk on designated trails.  Many of the cats in Cat World like a “walkabout” on a leash or a buggy stroll.