Friends and Founders Events
Experience the lifesaving magic you make possible at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Guests will experience all the love, care, and healing that happens here because of generous and kind supporters.
Dive into the lifesaving magic with some or all of these options:
- Meet and spend time with precious animals you've helped save.
- Volunteer in the animal care areas.
- Learn more about how we'll get to no-kill nationwide.
- Chat with Best Friends founders and other animal lovers.
- Take behind-the-scenes tours.
- Soak up the stunning red rock views of Kanab, Utah.
2026 Friends and Founders event dates
Friends and Founders sample schedule*
Selections are made a few weeks prior to each event and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Day 1
• 4-6 p.m.: Welcome mixer at Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile
Day 2
• 8:30-10 a.m.: Breakfast at Angel Village Café
• 10:10-11:30 a.m.: Sanctuary tour options
• 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Lunch on own
• 1:15-2:45 p.m.: Choice of tour/activity
• 3-4 p.m.: Beyond the Sanctuary: Our Roadmap to No-Kill presentation
Day 3
• 9:30-11:30 a.m.: Choice of volunteer shift/tour/activity
• 11:30 a.m.-1p.m.: Lunch on own
• 1:15-2:30 p.m.: Choice of tour/activity
• 2:45-4 p.m.: Choice of tour/activity
• 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Farewell reception at Angel Village Café
Space is limited! Questions? Email events@bestfriends.org
Friends and Founders frequently asked questions
Where are the Friends and Founders events located?
Friends and Founders takes place in Kanab, Utah, at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. While it is a journey to get here, these events are a great opportunity to see your donations in action and experience the magic at the Sanctuary.
How is this event different from the normal volunteer experience?
Friends and Founders events are specifically curated to give you a unique experience at the Sanctuary compared to the standard volunteer experience. At these events, you will get to meet and hear from Best Friends leadership and founders, experience behind-the-scenes opportunities at the Sanctuary, and interact with animals in our different animal care areas.
Is there a cost to attend the event?
There is no fee to attend Friends and Founders. However, you are responsible for travel, accommodations, and meals during your trip to Kanab.
How do I get to the Sanctuary?
Most guests choose to fly into Las Vegas (a 3-hour drive to the Sanctuary) or St. George (a 1.5-hour drive to the Sanctuary). You will need to rent a car because there is no public transportation available in Kanab, and you will need a car to navigate the Sanctuary. You can also refer to our Kanab travel guide for more information to help plan your trip.
Where can I stay?
There are a lot of options for lodging available in Kanab. You can stay on Sanctuary grounds at our cabins and cottages (though they do book up fast), at our Best Friends Roadhouse in town, or at one of the many hotels or Airbnbs in Kanab. You can also refer to our Kanab travel guide for more information on places to stay.
What does the schedule look like?
The first day of your event will be the welcome mixer from 4-6 p.m. (time subject to change). The next two days will be full days of activities. Once we are closer to your event date, we will send out a link where you can sign up for your activities and create your own personalized schedule.
I don’t know whether I am bringing a guest; can I let you know later?
You can let us know at a later date. Please let us know your guest information as soon as possible, so we can make sure they receive information on how to sign up for activities.
Can I bring my pet to the event?
For safety purposes, personal animals are not allowed in animal care areas or on tours. If you are traveling with your animal companion, we recommend checking rover.com for pet sitters while you’re enjoying your activities at the Sanctuary.
Can I bring my service animal?
Service animals are welcome in all public areas, including Angel Village, hiking trails, and the welcome center. If you are bringing a service animal, please let us know, and we can assist you with creating an activity schedule.