We're closer than ever to no-kill

Yes. Best Friends Animal Society is committed to you, the people who make our work possible. At Best Friends, we aim for transparency and authenticity — two of our guiding principles — in every aspect of the work we do. We're a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax ID: 23-7147797) with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. In fiscal year 2024, 87% of our spending went directly to programs and services, 4% to management and general, and 9% to fundraising. Our financial statements and annual reports are published publicly, and our accounts are fully audited.

Nationwide, Best Friends works with more than 5,500 shelters and rescue groups to end the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. We also run the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, and operate regional programs in Los Angeles, New York City, Salt Lake City, Houston, and Northwest Arkansas. Our programs include adoption services, spay/neuter clinics, emergency response, advocacy, and community education. Through collaboration with partners across the country, we're leading the movement to make every shelter and community no-kill.

At Best Friends, we aim for transparency and authenticity — two of our guiding principles — in every aspect of the work we do. Program spending includes animal care at our sanctuary and centers, pet adoption programs, foster programs, spay/neuter services, community cat programs, support for our 5,500+ network partners, advocacy, outreach programs with municipal shelters, and emergency response. In fiscal year 2024, 87% of our spending went directly to programs and services, 4% to management and general, and 9% to fundraising. Our accounts are fully audited, and our annual report is available online. View our financial information.

Yes, we're the leading no-kill animal welfare organization in the United States. No-kill is a community commitment to saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved. In Utah, we operate the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for homeless pets, where animals are able to stay as long as it takes to find loving homes. Today, 2 out of 3 U.S. shelters are no-kill, and our goal is to Save Them All.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located in the majestic red-rock country of southern Utah, just outside the town of Kanab. We also operate centers in Los Angeles, New York City, Salt Lake City, Houston, and Northwest Arkansas, and we have staff nationwide helping shelters achieve and maintain no-kill. Through the Best Friends Network, we partner with more than 5,500 animal shelters and rescue groups across the U.S., working together to save lives in communities nationwide. See all our locations or learn about the Sanctuary.

When you adopt from a Best Friends location, a network partner, or one of the many shelters and rescue groups around the country, you're not only adding a loyal and loving companion to your family; you're also helping to save lives. You can adopt from our sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, at one of our centers (Los Angeles, New York City, Salt Lake City, Houston, Northwest Arkansas), or through our network partners in communities across the nation. Browse adoptable pets online or visit us in person.

Yes! Volunteers are always welcome and are a vital part of helping animals get ready for new homes. You can volunteer at our sanctuary in Kanab, Utah; at our centers in Los Angeles, New York City, Salt Lake City, Houston, and Northwest Arkansas; from home through remote opportunities; or with local network partners in your community. Volunteers come from all over and spend time working with animals, giving them personal care and attention. No experience is necessary, and we provide training.

Best Friends began with a group of animal lovers who were unwilling to accept the conventional wisdom that shelters had no choice but to kill "unadoptable" animals. These future founders banded together and started rescuing animals from shelters, where the animals' luck was about to run out. They established Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, in 1984, making Best Friends a pioneer in the no-kill movement in the United States. Read our story.

Best Friends has always believed that collaboration is the key to saving more lives. No one rescue group or shelter can create a no-kill city, and that's why we work with more than 5,500 shelters and rescue groups throughout the U.S. Best Friends runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals and operates pet adoption centers in major cities, focusing exclusively on ending the killing of pets in shelters. We take a collaborative, not competitive, approach to animal welfare. Find a network partner near you.

On any given day, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a healing home for up to 1,600 dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, horses, pigs, rehabilitating wildlife, and other animals. The largest sanctuary of its kind in the U.S., Best Friends has become the heart of a collaborative no-kill movement and a model for the future of animal welfare. Tucked into the majestic canyons of southern Utah on nearly 5,800 acres, the Sanctuary is truly a place like no other. Most animals are soon ready to go to good homes, while some remain at the Sanctuary for life. Plan your visit.