View Larger Map
It's location is in what is known as the Grand Circle of national parks. You can a magnificent view of the Grand Staircase, where I spent some of my BYU Survival class experience. The canyons of the Escalante are some the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Best Friends offers free van tours and their huge operation. We had a great tour guide, a native of the area, who works dedicated for the benefit of the animals they rescue.
They have quite an amazing history, and reputation, but I hadn't heard of them until my son told me of his visit there. There are seven animal areas at the sanctuary and each of them welcomes volunteers: Bunny House, Cat World, Dogtown, Horse Haven, Parrot Garden, Piggy Paradise, and Wild Friends. They are a non-kill shelter.
They have a separate section for older dogs. All the buildings are named after animals that holds a place in the heart of staff and volunteers. The dog buildings are built in an octagon shape. Six of the eight sides are formed into dog runs/kennels. Each unit is designed with the comfort of the dogs in mind. The units are roomy, have swamp coolers, radiant heating in the floors, and large runs.
The elderly dogs have soft, elevated beds. So thoughtful. My arthritis problems enable me to truly appreciate the blessings of not having to lie on hard concrete, and the increased ease of lying down, and rising from an elevated surface. Each unit has two doggy-doors to the outside yard.
They keep current info on each dog for accurate transfer of information between the shifts of volunteers.
The runs are spacious. The concrete walkways around the fence are for the security of the dogs. They prevent the dogs digging out, and predators from digging in.
The setting of this shelter is BEAUTIFUL! It's a retreat for the humans working there as well. As a visitor, I was jealous.
They are an arena for dogs who have been kept on a chain all their lives. They are unfamiliar with being confined, and being indoors. It provides a great training opportunity. It is used for agility training. They have staircases in there, linoleum floors, wood floors - all things the outdoor dogs haven't experienced before.
It was a great experience. Best Friends is the largest employer in Kane county, Utah, employing 500 people, including two vets who take care of all the medical needs of the animals living there. For the full length of their lives, or until the animals can be adopted into their new "forever home."
I found a blog, One Bark at a Time, written by one of Best Friends' volunteers. Fred is a Canadian, who works with the Toronto Animal Services. He came for a week. That isn't uncommon. Volunteers come from all over. Some make the visit their annual vacation. Volunteers are a large part of Best Friends' success.
I can't wait to go back again. It's an amazing place.
No comments:
Post a Comment