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Best Friends Animal Shelter is a Cut Above Most Homes for Unwanted Pets

Animal Shelters Are Not Created Equal: Some Are Bad, Some Are Decent, Some Are Best Friends

Teresa Ambord
Have you heard of the Best Friends animal shelter? Best Friends is a not-for-profit group that takes in unwanted and abused pets of all kinds, creating a safe, happy place for them to be.

Best Friends operates on a no-kill policy. It is the nation's largest animal sanctuary, providing adoption, spay and neuter services, and educational resources as well. They work with other animal shelters and rescue groups nationwide to bring about a time when there will be no more homeless pets. Their hope is that, within the next ten years, they can provide the necessary support to allow people and groups across the country to help build no-kill animal shelters in their communities. They do this by hosting conferences, workshops, and adoption events through the year, and by teaching others the principles needed to start spay/neuter programs and to gather teams of pet-loving volunteers.

Best Friends animal shelter is set in the semi-circle of the white cliffs of Zion Nation Park. It's a perfect place for dogs and cats to find refuge, peace, and room to roam. In the pastures of Angel Canyon, horses and burros graze contentedly. In this peaceful setting, thousand of pets of all kinds which have seen hard times are given a second chance at a good life. Known as the Sanctuary, there are never fewer than 1,500 animals at any one time.

Upon arriving at Best Friends animal shelter, pets that have not yet been spayed or neutered are scheduled for this procedure, as well as a general check-up, necessary shots and vitamins. All pet residents of Best Friends animal shelter are on a regimen of good healthy food, and plenty of tender loving care. With a little luck, pets are adopted out to loving homes. But if not, they have permanent homes at the Sanctuary.

With all that, it should come as no surprise that Best Friends animal shelter is always in search of donations of time and money.

If you love pets you'd like to find out about volunteer opportunities with Best Friends animal shelter, e-mail them at volunteers@bestfriends.org or phone 435-644-2001, ext.119. For a donation of $25 or more you can get a complimentary subscription to Best Friends Magazine by logging onto: http://www.bestfriends.org/allthegoodnews/magazine/index.cfm or calling (435) 644-200. This is a wonderful magazine that provides helpful information and amusing stories to pet owners.

Published by Teresa Ambord

I'm a lifelong resident of California, fortunate enough to have migrated to the northern, rural end of the state back in 1971. I'm a divorced mother of one grown son, and now I spend free time helping with a...   View profile

  • If you're looking for a pet, try Petfinders.com, a wonderful resource that includes pictures of animals that are right now searching for you. To find a variety of pet resources including photos that will warm your heart and tickle your funny bone, log onto: www.pgaa.com/ PGAA stands for Pet Guardian Angels of America.�; They provide information on keeping your pet safe, give you a way to report animal cruelty, help disabled people find pet companions, and they'll make true pet lovers say.... "ahhhh."
  • A key to limiting unwanted pets is to spay and neuter incoming animals right away.
  • Adopting a pet is serious business. If you're not sure you're ready, wait. It's only fair.
  • If you can't adopt, but care about animal welfare, consider donating money or time to a shelter.
Are you a fan of Judge Judy? You should know, she's a big supporter of animal shelters and animal welfare groups. You can read Best Friends interview with Judge Judy Sheindlin on their Web site.

6 Comments

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  • jenn 4/30/2011

    I have two dogs that can use a home ,

  • Eiddwen Jones 3/31/2011

    Sounds like a great haven for some lucky animals.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Take care
    Eiddwen.

  • Ms. Charlton 9/27/2010

    Good article. Since you are "no-kill", what do you do with new, incoming animals when your facility is at capacity?

  • JRS 8/12/2008

    Great info thanks!

  • Lois Slotnick 8/18/2006

    Years ago I read about a shelter out west where dogs and cats were grouped in fenced in areas, each with a small building (15 x 20?)with toys, etc. to keep them happy instead of animal runs and cages. Please advise of any such facility or design for me. Thank you.

  • M. Martinez 5/25/2006

    You did a great article for us. Thanks.

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