Best Friends Animal Society

In a stunning red rock setting aptly named Angel Canyon animals of all shapes and sizes breathe a sigh of relief that nothing bad will ever happen again. Dogs, cats, bunnies, horses and hundreds of other animals share a 33,000 acre ranch that is the world's largest "no-kill" animal sanctuary, Best Friends Animal Society.

Best Friends Animal Society is a "no-kill" shelter meaning animals are only euthanized if they are suffering from illness or age. The organization is "driven by the simple philosophy that kindness to animals helps build a better world for all of us." And this philosophy is carried out through the sanctuary for homeless animals, an adoption program, a spay/neuter program, and other educational programs around the country including their No More Homeless Pets campaign. The society also publishes Best Friends, the nation's largest general-interest animal magazine.

The sanctuary is located in southern Utah's Golden Circle of national parks that includes Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon's North Rim, Bryce Canyon, and Lake Powell. The area is a mecca for nature lovers and provides the setting for the inspired compassion that compels the staff and volunteers of the Best Friends Animal Society.

Roughly 1,500 animals call Best Friends home. The animals come from all over the country and sometimes the world.
This summer, as the world watched thousands of people evacuate the Israel-Hezbollah conflict the Best Friends Animal Society began organizing its largest international animal rescue effort. Together with Israeli animal activist groups, Best Friends rescued 295 animal refugees from the war torn region.

Best Friends Animal Society was also instrumental in ensuring the safety of thousands of animals after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. The organization's executive director Paul Berry is a native of New Orleans. When the disaster struck the city and people were forced to evacuate without their pets, Best Friends put every resource they had into pulling over 5,000 animals from flooded streets and relieving overburdened local shelters of another 2,000. They managed to reunite about 500 abandoned pets with their original families. To people who had lost their families, jobs and homes, finding their pet was good news.

In part to Best Friend's rescue efforts which caught worldwide media attention, President Bush signed a bill called Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) into law. The bill, which was sponsored by two co-chairs of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus, requires that all state and local disaster planning include provisions for pets in order to qualify for FEMA grants. The day the bill was passed, October 6, 2006, CBS news ran a short piece on Best Friends Animal Society earning the organization much needed attention as they strive to care and fund for all these animal refugees. For Best Friends, caring for animals is the same as caring for people.

The Best Friend's facility is large and well-maintained. Their large staff comes from a diverse background The director of animal care at the canyon is a former human hospital administrator and the personnel manager is a former New York restaurant owner. What they share in common is a commitment to caring for animals.

The sanctuary is well funded and promoted but as with many non-profits donations and volunteer support are always welcome. They accept monetary donations and an updated wish list can be found on their website with everything from sophisticated veterinary supplies to picture frames. The rescued pets from the Gulf Coast and from Lebanon have upped their need for volunteers. There are endless ways to help from feeding animals, cleaning grounds or just giving personal attention to a furry friend. The sanctuary also runs an internship program for those who wish to learn more about working with animals. There are guest lodges, hotels, B&Bs and camping available nearby for extended volunteer stays.

Almost all the animals at Best Friend's Animal Society are available for adoption. Three out of every four animals that arrives at the sanctuary are placed in new homes. There are bunnies, birds, horses, cats and dogs all waiting for just the right owner. The few animals that are unadoptable remain at the sanctuary and call it home. The sanctuary's website has in-depth profiles on each animal and an infrastructure of support services for new owners.

Not only is the Best Friend's Animal Society the world's largest "no-kill" animal shelter, it may also be the best. It's tireless record of animal protection and care shows commitment well beyond the average. It is an example of what tremendous good can be accomplished by concerted efforts. Their efforts are worthy of support through funding, donations and volunteer time.