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Woman hanging out with cats and kittens

Friends and Founders

Location: Kanab, Utah

April 26 and 27
May 31 and June 1 - NOW FULL
September 27 and 28 - NOW FULL
October 25 and 26 - NOW FULL

If you wish to be wait-listed for any of these events, please contact Victoria Johnson. Alternatively, if you'd still like to visit the Sanctuary at another time, please contact Victoria at victoriaj@bestfriends.org or 435-644 4817, and she will help you plan a special visit!

Join some of Best Friends’ co-founders and staff members for a morning hike in the LabyrinthPlease join us for our monthly blessing at Angels Rest to remember the beloved animal friends who’ve touched your life. And then the next day, you’re welcome to join some of Best Friends’ co-founders for a peaceful morning hike, followed by a private brunch overlooking the majestic canyons. After brunch, take part in a special discussion to learn about some of the ways that, together, we’re leading the country to no-kill by 2025.

Then in the afternoon, choose your own animal adventure! You can take part in gentle yoga with the bunnies, paint your pet’s portrait while surrounded by colorful birds in the gazebo at Parrot Garden or watch a Parelli Natural Horsemanship demonstration. Or you can kick back with our senior canine pals at Dogtown’s Old Friends or chill with the cats in Cat World. At the end of the day, rejoin the founders for farewell drinks and stories on the Best Friends Welcome Center patio, where you can watch the resident hummingbirds in action. For a closer look at the schedule, please click here.

Make the most of your visit to the Sanctuary:

  • If you would like to take a Sanctuary tour during your stay, please visit tourbestfriends.org or call 435-644 2001, ext. 4537.
  • If you would like to volunteer while at the Sanctuary, please visit volunteers.bestfriends.org or call 435-644 2001, ext. 4119.
  • Click here for offsite lodging.
  • Click here for onsite lodging.
  • Looking to extend your trip? Click here for things to do around Southern Utah.
  • For directions to the sanctuary click here.

Friends and Founders full schedule

Thursday

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Blessing

Join us for our monthly blessing at the beautiful and serene Angels Rest. Honor the beloved pets at the Sanctuary, as well as the four-legged friends who’ve touched your life.

Friday

8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Registration

Check-in will be at Angel Village.

8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Hike with founders

Join some of Best Friends’ co-founders and staff members for a morning hike in the Labyrinth, designed by Best Friends co-founder and artist Cyrus Mejia. The Labyrinth is a wonderful place for contemplation and reflection. Its circular pathway helps clear your mind and aids in creative thinking, problem solving and stress relief. The moderate hike is approximately 2.5 miles round trip.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Private brunch with founders

Join us at Angel Village for a delicious brunch with spectacular views of the canyon.

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Beyond the Sanctuary

Learn more about our lifesaving work across the country from some of our program leaders. Hear about our puppy mill, community cat and breed legislation initiatives, and how together, we’re leading the country to no-kill by 2025.

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

An afternoon with the animals

Choose one of the following fun-filled activities:

Bunny Yoga: Time to relax and unwind with the bunnies in a gentle, instructor-led yoga class. After the class, take a tour of the Bunny House.

Parelli: Watch an amazing Parelli Natural Horsemanship demonstration and meet some of the horses and caregivers at Horse Haven.

Senior Social: Hang out with the dogs at Dogtown’s Old Friends! You can read to the dogs, hand-feed shy dogs, take a dog on a gentle walk and more.

Feline Fun: Volunteer in Cat World! Take part in fun activities like harness and stroller walks, or just cuddle up with a cat in your lap.

Paint Your Pet: Honor your beloved pet in an instructor-led painting class while in the company of some of the beautiful and colorful birds at Parrot Garden.

3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Farewell drinks

Join some of the co-founders for farewell drinks and a special surprise on the welcome center patio, while you watch the hummingbirds in action!

All scheduled activities and locations are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.