Best Friends Animal Sanctuary – Visit & Volunteer

Tucked between amazing red-rock vistas in Kanab, Utah you will find Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the United States caring for over 1500 dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, horses, pigs, and other animals every day. Best Friends has become the center of a collaborative no-kill movement and a model for the future of animal welfare. When traveling to Kanab there are many different ways to visit and volunteer at the sanctuary.

Volunteering

With so many animals, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary relies heavily on volunteers and has TONS of opportunities to help out! From walking dogs to cleaning and even landscaping, there is something for everyone that has a few hours to spare.

It’s very easy to volunteer as each area has a coordinator that walks you through your tasks for the day. A lot of these shifts fill up quickly so if you have your heart set on working in a certain area, be sure to sign up as soon as you can before your visit.

While we were in Kanab Becca volunteered in the adoption hub and spent several hours taking dogs for walks, doing laundry, and playing with pups in their dog yard. It was an amazing experience!

More information on planning your volunteer experience can be found here.

Tours

A a great way to learn about the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and see the work they do is to take a tour. Tours are offered in many different areas from dogs and cats to horses, birds and bunnies. Reservations are required and tours fill up fast. Try to book well in advance if you can! You can also stop by the Welcome Center to see if they have any last minute openings. To book a tour, visit Best Friend’s reservation system here.

Exploring Best Friends On Your Own

There are many options to explore Best Friends Animal Sanctuary on your own! Here are a few of our favorite options:

• Drive the Sanctuary Loop. Stop by the Welcome Center for a map and more information on where to drive, or you can also download their app.
• Visit Angels Rest & Angels Overlook. With hundreds of wind chimes, these memorial gardens have the most beautiful sound. You can wander and see all of the amazing memorials to pets that have left us. Along with the memorials this area offers great views! More information can be found here.
• Go Hiking. The sanctuary has two trails that are open to the public.

Lodging

Best Friends offers several lodging options in Kanab. Lodging is also pet friendly for those traveling with pets and also pet friendly for those that would like to do a pet sleepover. More information on lodging options can be found here.

Pet sleepovers allow adoptable pets a chance to get out of the sanctuary for a day and receive some one on one time. If you are not staying at one of Best Friends’ lodging options, check the policies of your accommodations. Some Airbnb rentals waive the pet fee for doing an animal sleepover. Please know that if you are traveling with your own pets, unfortunately you will not be able to do a sleepover. If a pet sleepover sounds like a good fit for you, click here to learn more.

Dining

Located in the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary you’ll find the Angel Village Café which offers a $5 vegan lunch each day. This is the main food option for volunteers at the sanctuary, but it is also open to everyone even if you are not volunteering. We loved having lunch here and the patio views do not disappoint! Check out the upcoming menu here.

Get Planning

If a trip to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary sounds like a good fit for you, get planning! Some people come for multiple days or even weeks for extended volunteering opportunities. Along with the sanctuary, Kanab is a great place to visit with some many nearby attractions. When you’re ready to start planning your trip, make sure to visit Best Friend’s website for up to date information and everything you need to know for your trip.

We hope this helps you plan your next trip! Check out our outdoor adventure posts for more tips and trip ideas.