Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a no-kill shelter in Utah that houses thousands of animals and runs on donations

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located in Kanab, Utah, about 300 miles south of Salt Lake City. It operates as a nonprofit organization that takes in animals from across the country — dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, horses, and others — and keeps them on the property for as long as they live if they cannot be placed in homes. The sanctuary does not euthanize animals for space or medical reasons, which is why it calls itself a no-kill facility.

The sanctuary runs entirely on donations from individuals, grants, and fundraising events. It does not receive government funding. The organization employs staff and relies on volunteers to care for the animals, manage the grounds, and run its adoption program. Best Friends also operates adoption centers in other cities, including Los Angeles, New York, and Salt Lake City, where animals from the main sanctuary can be adopted.

If you are considering visiting, adopting, volunteering, or donating, the information below explains how each of those works and what to expect.

Key Takeaways

  • Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a no-kill shelter in Utah that houses thousands of animals and relies on donations to operate.
  • The sanctuary accepts animals from shelters, rescues, and individuals, and keeps them indefinitely if they cannot be placed in homes.
  • Visiting the sanctuary requires advance registration through their website, and tours are offered on a limited schedule.
  • Adopting an animal from Best Friends involves an process, a home visit or phone interview, and an adoption fee that varies by animal type.
  • Volunteering at the sanctuary requires a minimum commitment and orientation, and positions range from animal care to administrative work.

How animals arrive at Best Friends and what happens next

Best Friends receives animals through several routes. Some come from municipal shelters facing overcrowding or budget cuts. Others are transferred from rescue organizations that lack resources. The sanctuary also accepts animals directly from individuals who can no longer care for them. Once an animal arrives, it receives a veterinary exam, vaccinations, and any necessary medical treatment. Animals stay in temporary housing while staff assess their behavior, health, and needs.

After the initial assessment, animals move into permanent housing on the sanctuary grounds. Dogs live in cottages with outdoor space. Cats live in cat houses with climbing structures and enrichment. Rabbits, birds, and other small animals have dedicated facilities. The sanctuary also operates a horse sanctuary on a separate property. Staff and volunteers provide daily care, exercise, socialization, and enrichment activities. Animals remain at the sanctuary indefinitely unless they are adopted or transferred to one of Best Friends' adoption centers.

Visiting the sanctuary in person

Best Friends allows public visits, but you must register in advance through their website. Walk-in visits are not permitted. Registration opens on a rolling basis, and available dates fill up quickly during peak seasons (spring and summer). You can register for a guided tour or a self-guided visit, depending on what is available when you book.

Guided tours last approximately two to three hours and are led by staff or trained volunteers. They cover different areas of the sanctuary depending on the tour type — some focus on dogs, others on cats or horses. Self-guided visits allow you to walk certain trails and view animals at your own pace, though some areas remain off-limits to protect animal welfare and sanctuary operations. Tours cost a per-person fee, which varies. Children under a certain age may not be permitted on all tours, so check the website for age requirements before registering.

The sanctuary is open year-round, but weather in Utah can be extreme. Summer temperatures exceed 90 degrees, and winter brings snow and cold. Wear appropriate clothing and bring water. The grounds are large, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. Some areas are not wheelchair accessible, so contact the sanctuary in advance if you have mobility concerns.

How adoption works through Best Friends

Best Friends adopts animals through two channels: the main sanctuary in Utah and adoption centers in other cities. If you find an animal you want to adopt on their website, you can start the process online. The first step is completing an adoption form that asks about your living situation, other pets, household members, and experience with animals. This form helps staff determine whether the match is appropriate.

After you submit the form, a staff member reviews it and contacts you. If they believe the adoption could work, they schedule a home visit or phone interview. A home visit involves a staff member or volunteer coming to your house to see where the animal will live and to answer your questions. A phone interview covers the same topics but happens by phone instead. This step typically takes one to two weeks. Once approved, you pay an adoption fee, sign an adoption contract, and take the animal home. Adoption fees vary by animal type and age — dogs and cats typically cost between $75 and $150, while rabbits and small animals cost less.

Best Friends includes a return policy in the adoption contract. If the adoption does not work out, you can return the animal to the sanctuary or to a local adoption center within a specified period. The sanctuary does not refund adoption fees, but it does not charge a fee to accept the animal back.

Volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Best Friends accepts volunteers for work at the main sanctuary and at adoption centers. Volunteer positions include animal care (feeding, cleaning, exercise), administrative work, event support, and fundraising. Most positions require a minimum commitment — typically four hours per week for at least three months, though this varies by role. Some short-term volunteer opportunities exist during special events, but these are limited.

To volunteer, you complete an process and attend an orientation session. The orientation covers sanctuary rules, animal handling, safety protocols, and the organization's mission. After orientation, you are assigned to a department and paired with a supervisor. Volunteers do not receive payment, but the sanctuary provides training and a volunteer community. Some volunteers travel from other states to spend a week or longer at the sanctuary, and the organization offers information about nearby lodging options.

Donating money or supplies to Best Friends

Best Friends accepts financial donations through their website. You can make a one-time gift or set up a monthly recurring donation. The organization also accepts in-kind donations of supplies — pet food, blankets, toys, cleaning supplies, and medical equipment. If you want to donate supplies, contact the sanctuary first to ask what they currently need, because storage space is limited and they may not have room for certain items at certain times.

Best Friends is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which means donations are tax-deductible in the United States. When you donate, you receive a receipt that you can use when filing your taxes. The organization publishes annual reports that show how donations are spent, though the level of detail varies year to year. You can request a copy of their most recent financial report from the website or by contacting them directly.

Understanding Best Friends' adoption centers in other cities

Best Friends operates adoption centers in Los Angeles, New York, Salt Lake City, and other locations. These centers house animals transferred from the main sanctuary and from local rescues. The adoption process at these centers is similar to the main sanctuary — you complete an process, undergo a home visit or phone interview, and pay an adoption fee. However, the centers are smaller and hold fewer animals, so the selection is more limited than at the main sanctuary.

The adoption centers also serve as community resources. They offer low-cost spay and neuter clinics, behavior consultations, and educational events. Some centers host adoption events at partner locations like pet stores or community centers. If you live near one of these cities, visiting a local adoption center may be more convenient than traveling to Utah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I adopt an animal from Best Friends if I rent my home?

Yes, but you will need to provide proof that your landlord allows pets. This can be a copy of your lease, a letter from your landlord, or a screenshot of the pet policy from your rental agreement. Best Friends wants to avoid adoptions that will fail because of housing restrictions, so they ask about this during the process process.

What if an animal I adopted from Best Friends develops a serious health problem?

Best Friends does not cover veterinary costs after adoption, but the adoption contract includes information about the animal's known health history and any medical issues discovered before adoption. If a major health problem appears when ready after adoption, contact the sanctuary to discuss your situation — they may offer guidance or resources, though this is handled case by case.

How long does it take to adopt an animal from Best Friends?

The process typically takes two to four weeks from process to bringing the animal home. The home visit or phone interview is the longest step. If you live far from the sanctuary, the timeline may be longer because scheduling a home visit requires coordination. Adoption centers in your area may move faster because they can conduct home visits more easily.

Do I have to visit the sanctuary in person to adopt an animal?

No. You can view animals on the website, complete the process online, and have a phone interview instead of a home visit. Many people adopt from Best Friends without ever visiting Utah. However, visiting allows you to meet the animal in person before committing to adoption.

What happens to animals that are too sick or injured to be adopted?

Best Friends provides long-term medical care and hospice care for animals that cannot be adopted. These animals live out their lives at the sanctuary. The organization has dedicated medical facilities and staff trained in end-of-life care. This is one of the core reasons Best Friends exists — to provide a home for animals that other shelters cannot accommodate.