How to Adopt
Thank you for choosing to adopt your new family member from Best Friends! We'd be delighted to help you make the right match. Although we are located in southern Utah, people from all over the U.S. and Canada adopt our animals.* If you're ready to bring home a new best friend, you'll find the information needed to start the adoption process below.
*restrictions may apply
Every pet adopted from Best Friends comes with a lifetime promise. If, for any reason, you can no longer care for your pet, he or she is always welcome to come back to the sanctuary.
Learn how to adopt a:
Cat | Dog | Horse | Parrot | Pig | Rabbit | Wild Friends
How to Adopt a Cat
The first step is to complete our cat adoption application.
Which one do I choose?
You can find a terrific selection of cats waiting to meet someone just like you right here. If you find one you love, please put his or her name on your application.
Or, if you still aren't sure which cat is right for you, our adoption specialists' love playing matchmaker! They'd be delighted to hear from you at adoptions@bestfriends.org.
What happens after I apply?
After we look over your application, we will talk with you on the phone about the cat you'd like to adopt, and tell you more about any of his or her special needs. Then, we will do a home check. A home check is done by a Best Friends Animal Society member in your area; it helps ensure that the cat you're selecting is the right fit for you.
The fun part: How do I get my new cat?
We encourage adopters to come to the Sanctuary to meet the cats, especially if their new cat has special needs, but it is not always necessary.
Best Friends can assist in arranging transportation. The average cost of flying a cat to his or her new home is $150 to $250, and there is a crate fee of $25. We also ask for a $65 adoption donation, since all of our cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. We also test for FIV and feline leukemia.
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How to Adopt a Dog
The first step is to fill out an dog adoption application.
Which one do I choose?
You can find a terrific selection of dogs waiting to meet someone just like you right here. If you find one you love, please put his or her name in your application.
Or, if you still aren't sure which dog is right for you, our adoption specialists' love playing matchmaker! They'd be delighted to hear from you at adoptions@bestfriends.org.
What happens after I apply?
After we look over your application, we will talk with you on the phone about the dog you'd like to adopt, and tell you more about any of his or her special needs. Then, we will do a home check. A home check is done by a Best Friends Animal Society member in your area; it helps ensure that the dog you're selecting is the right fit for you.
The fun part: How do I get my new dog?
We encourage adopters to come to the Sanctuary to meet the dogs, especially if their new dog has special needs, but it is not always necessary.
Best Friends can assist in arranging transportation. The average cost of flying a dog to his or her new home is $250 to $450. There is also a crate fee that depends on the size (small: $25; medium: $50; large and extra-large: $75, jumbo: $100). We ask for a $100 adoption donation, regardless of the dog's size and age, since all of our dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. We also test for heartworm, Lyme disease and ehrlichia.
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How to Adopt a Horse
The first step is to fill out our equine adoption application.
Which one do I choose?
You can find a terrific selection of horses waiting to meet someone just like you right here. If you find one you love, please put his or her name in your application.
Or, if you still aren't sure which horse is right for you, our adoption specialists' love playing matchmaker! They'd be delighted to hear from you at adoptions@bestfriends.org.
What happens after I apply?
After we look over your application, we will talk with you on the phone about the horse you'd like to adopt, and tell you more about any of his or her special needs. Then, we will do a home check. A home check is done by a Best Friends staff person or member; it helps ensure that the horse you're selecting is the right fit for you and that your setup meets the horse's needs.
The fun part: How do I get my new horse?
We encourage adopters to come to the Sanctuary to meet the horses, especially if their new horse has special needs, but it is not always necessary.
The easiest way to bring home your new horse is to come pick him or her up at the Sanctuary. But if that's not possible, we can give your new horse a ride, for a per-mile charge. Or, we can recommend reliable companies that will do it for reasonable rates.
We ask for a $500 adoption donation, since all of our horses have been vaccinated and wormed, and have received any needed medical or dental care at Best Friends.
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How to Adopt a Parrot
The first step is to fill out our parrot adoption application.
Which one do I choose?
You can find a terrific selection of parrots waiting to meet someone just like you right here. If you find one you love, please put his or her name in your application.
Before you adopt a parrot, you'll want to know all about basic parrot care, handling and behavior. To learn about living with parrots, check out Best Friends' parrot care articles..
If you aren't sure which parrot is the right match, you can schedule a personal tour of Parrot Garden, where you'll meet birds who may be a good fit for you. To schedule a one-on-one tour, please contact our adoption staff at adoptions@bestfriends.org.
What happens after I apply?
After we look over your application, we will talk with you on the phone about the parrot you'd like to adopt, and tell you more about any of his or her special needs. We'll also explain the process of adopting a parrot from Best Friends. Then, we will do a home check. A home check is done by a Best Friends staff person or member; it helps ensure that the parrot you're selecting is the right match for you.
The fun part: How do I get my new parrot?
Best Friends asks parrot adopters to spend a few days volunteering at the Sanctuary and getting to know their new bird. While you're here, you'll learn how to keep your parrot healthy and happy.
All parrots are vetted and tested for specific diseases. We ask for an adoption donation to help offset these costs. The donation varies depending on the type of bird you adopt.
Our knowledgeable caregivers will help you prepare your bird for the trip home with you. They're also available to answer any questions after you bring your new family member home.
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How to Adopt a Pig
The first step is to complete our pig adoption application. When we receive it, we will send you some information about what it's like to live with a potbellied pig, and how to keep your new friend healthy and happy.
Which one do I choose?
You'll find a terrific selection of pigs waiting to meet someone just like you right here. If you find one you love, please put his or her name in your application.
Or, if you still aren't sure which pig is right for you, our adoption specialist loves playing matchmaker! She'd be delighted to hear from you at adoptions@bestfriends.org.
What happens after I apply?
After we look over your application, we will talk with you on the phone about the pig you'd like to adopt, and tell you more about any of his or her special needs. Then, we will do a home check. A home check is done by a Best Friends staff person or member; it helps ensure that your home and yard are set up just right for a pig or two.
The fun part: How do I get my new pig?
We encourage you to visit Best Friends to meet the pig (or pigs) you are thinking about adopting. It gives you a chance to interact with them and make sure that they are a good fit for you and your family, but a visit isn't always required.
The easiest way to bring home your new pig is to come pick him or her up at the Sanctuary. If you live near Best Friends, we may be able to offer a ride.
You will be asked to sign a contract saying that you agree to provide good care to your new oinky family member for the remainder of his or her life. You'll also agree to return the pig to Best Friends if, for any reason, you are unable to take care of your pig.
All Best Friends pigs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, have trimmed hooves and have had dental checkups. We ask for a $100 adoption donation to help offset these costs.
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How to Adopt a Rabbit
The first step is to complete our rabbit adoption application.
To be sure adopting a rabbit is right for you, we strongly recommend that you read a rabbit care book, such as the House Rabbit Handbook.
Which one (or two) do I choose?
You'll find a terrific selection of rabbits waiting to meet someone just like you right here. If you find one you love, please put his or her name in your application.
Please note that most of our rabbits have a rabbit friend. We do not break up these bonded pairs; they must be adopted together.
If you aren't sure which bunny is right for you, our adoption specialists' love playing matchmaker! They'd be delighted to hear from you at adoptions@bestfriends.org.
What happens after I apply?
After we look over your application, we will talk with you on the phone about the rabbit(s) you'd like to adopt, and tell you more about any special needs they might have. Then, we will do a home check. A home check is done by a Best Friends member; it helps ensure that you and your new rabbit(s) will be comfortable and happy living in your home together.
The fun part: How do I get my new rabbit(s)?
We encourage adopters to come to Best Friends to meet their new rabbits and take them to their new homes. It can be very stressful for rabbits to fly in the cargo area on an airplane, so we prefer that adopters fly with their rabbits in the cabin. Please check with your airline of choice for details. Best Friends can help arrange for transportation, but you are responsible for the cost. There is also a crate fee of $25 for one or two rabbits.
All rabbits are spayed or neutered and vetted. We ask for an adoption donation of $35 for a single rabbit or $60 for a pair to help offset these costs.
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How to Adopt from Wild Friends
It's called Wild Friends, but there are all kinds of domestic animals and poultry available for adoption here, too.
If you are interested in adopting from Wild Friends, please complete one of the following applications
Pigeons and Peafowl Adoption Application
Reptiles and Amphibians Adoption Application
Waterfowl Adoption Application
If you see a duck or other domestic animal living at Wild Friends on our website or during a visit to the Sanctuary, and want to know more about bringing him or her home, please contact us at wild@bestfriends.org.
We're always happy to talk about our adoptable animals!
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