Visitor accessibility and service animals
Welcoming all visitors from around the world, Best Friends Animal Society is committed to making our facilities accessible to everyone. People with disabilities who have questions or would like to request information on accessible accommodations are encouraged to call 435-644-2001, ext. 4537 as far in advance of their visit as possible.
Best Friends Welcome Center
- There are two handicap parking spaces available in front of the building.
- The main parking lot requires visitors to climb several stairs to get to the main entrance.
- The lobby, Sanctuary Store and patio are all wheelchair accessible.
- Three public restrooms are available at the welcome center, all on ground level.
Tours
Cat World Tour – Sunday, Monday | Tuesday at 1:30 pm (duration: 1.5 hours | distance: 1 mile)
Come join us on a walking tour through Cat World. Take in some of the cute furry faces while we show you how we are helping cats heal and thrive.
This tour takes us through sand and uneven terrain. Navigating this tour by wheelchair, though possible, is difficult.
No Service Animals
Pig and Goat Walking Tour (long) – Sunday at 10:30 am | Tuesday at 3:00 pm | Saturday at 1:00 pm (duration: 1 hour | distance: 1 mile)
Discover the affectionate personalities of potbellied pigs and the endearing goofiness of goats.
This tour takes us through sand and uneven terrain. Navigating this tour by wheelchair, though possible, is difficult.
Service Animals OK
Pig and Goat Walking Tour (short) – Monday | Wednesday at 9:00 am (duration: 30 minutes | distance: .5 mile)
Discover the affectionate personalities of potbellied pigs and the endearing goofiness of goats.
This tour takes us through sand and uneven terrain. Navigating this tour by wheelchair, though possible, is difficult.
Service Animals OK
Parrot Garden – Daily at 11:00 (duration: 45 minutes)
Drive yourself up to our Parrot Garden for a special tour. Parrot Garden is the one place on the Sanctuary where you can talk to an animal and she may talk back!
This tour takes us through sand and gravel. Navigating this tour by wheelchair, though possible, is difficult.
No Service Animals
Wild Friends – Daily at 10:15 (duration: 45 minutes | distance: 1 mile)
Drive yourself up to our Wild Friends Department for a special walking tour. Best Friends’ Wild Friends refuge is a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center for helping orphaned and injured wild animals get back on their feet.
This tour takes us through sand and uneven terrain. Navigating this tour by wheelchair, though possible, is difficult.
No Service Animals
Horses at Horse Haven – Tuesday and Friday at 10:00 am (duration: 30 minutes | distance: .5 mile)
The horses and other equine at Horse Haven have some extraordinary stories of their travels to the Sanctuary, and all of them are amazing individuals who can’t wait to meet you!
This tour takes us through sand and uneven terrain. Navigating this tour by wheelchair, though possible, is difficult.
Service Animals OK
Gratitude Garden hike – Monday | Thursday | Saturday at 9:00 am (duration: 2 hours | distance: 3 miles)
Join a Sanctuary ambassador for a hike to the Gratitude Garden where you’ll have the opportunity to take in the peace and beauty of this special place.
This tour has elevation changes and takes us through sand and gravel. Navigating this tour by wheelchair is not recommended.
Service Animals OK
Behind the Scenes of Dogtown – Wednesday | Thursday | Friday at 1:30 pm (duration: 1.5 hours | distance: 1 mile)
Join us for an in-depth tour of where Dogtown first started (for ages 16 or older).
This tour takes us through sand and uneven terrain. Navigating this tour by wheelchair, though possible, is difficult.
No Service Animals
Best Friends Scavenger Hunt – Daily 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Stop by the Best Friends Welcome Center to pick up a driving map and start exploring the Sanctuary!
(Not guided)
Service Animals are OK
Lodging
- Cottage #2 is ADA compliant with a ramp for access. All other cottages have stairs. All cabins are ground level.
Service animals
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Utah law, a service animal is a dog or miniature horse individually trained or in training to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability (physical, psychiatric, intellectual or other). Service animals are allowed in public areas, such as Angel Village, hiking trails and the welcome center. Service animals are not allowed in the animal areas with the exception of the tours noted above.
Therapy, comfort or emotional support animals
These are animals providing therapeutic benefit to their owners (without specific task-oriented training) through emotional support, safety, comfort or companionship to alleviate symptoms associated with mental or emotional ailments. They are allowed in public areas, such as Angel Village, hiking trails and the welcome center, with the exception of indoor dining areas. They are not allowed in workshops or animal areas
Personal animals
Personal pets are allowed in public areas, such as Angel Village, hiking trails and the welcome center, with the exception of indoor dining areas. Personal pets are not allowed in workshops or animal areas