Woman with brown dog on hike in canyon

Volunteer at Dogtown

Spend a day volunteering in a place of healing, learning, and fun for dogs and puppies.

On any given day, nearly 400 dogs and puppies live here at Dogtown, a multiple-building community created to provide the love, care, rehabilitation, and companionship needed to prepare them for adoption — which is where caring people like you can help. 

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The gift of your time will enrich the lives of the dogs

You’ll also have a fun and fulfilling day with fellow caring volunteers at Dogtown.

 See what a day in the life of a Dogtown volunteer looks like: 

Here’s what you can expect as a volunteer at Dogtown

You can help with daily care, puppy socialization, and so much more. 

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Volunteer Tasks

You’ll get to spend your shift helping with tasks like cleaning, feeding, landscaping (weeding, raking), and building maintenance tasks.

Walking and socializing with our Dogtown residents may be limited, and interactions will be at the discretion of our trained caregivers depending on an individual dog's medical and behavioral needs.

Outings

You can also lend a hand by taking a dog on an outing with your personal vehicle, within a one-hour drive of the Sanctuary. Outings can include a car ride, hikes outside of Dogtown (dependent on the dog and weather conditions), or quiet time at your pet-friendly lodging.

Dogtown laundry building

We always need help with keeping the blankets and toys clean for the dogs, so your help with basic housekeeping, laundry, and walking dogs at the Dogtown laundry building is always appreciated.

Adoption hub shifts

Volunteers are also welcome at the adoption hub inside puppy preschool, where cats and dogs reside while they wait to be adopted. 

During a shift at the adoption hub, you might help with cleaning the dog spaces and cat room, dishes, laundry, sweeping and mopping, cleaning litter boxes, taking dogs for walks, and socializing the animals. This shift should not be selected if you are allergic to cats.

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Time Commitment

You can choose from two volunteer shifts daily: 8:15-11:30 a.m. and 1:15-4 p.m.   

We also offer disability-friendly shifts that are shorter and last for one hour total. 

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Volunteer Requirements

To volunteer at Dogtown, you need to be 16 years old or older. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while volunteering. One adult can supervise two minors.  

Due to Dogtown being spread out over several miles, a personal vehicle is required. 

If you’re taking a dog for a one-hour outing during your shift, please keep in mind that we don’t allow personal pets for this Dogtown volunteer option, and 24-hour advanced sign-up is needed.

Safety guidelines: We're focused on keeping you and our animal friends safe while you're volunteering. Before your trip to the Sanctuary, make sure you've read through what to expect at the Sanctuary and in specific animal areas.

Book your volunteer experience

Ready to plan your trip to Dogtown? We’re so excited you’ll be joining us soon — and the dogs are, too! 

Scheduling your volunteer shifts in advance is highly recommended, and shifts can be scheduled as far as one year in advance. You can check the availability of shifts anytime.

Signing up for an outing requires two steps. You’ll first need to sign up for your shift in our volunteer portal. After that, you’ll need to fill out the outing sign-up form within 24 hours of signing up for your volunteer shift registration.

Sign Up to Volunteer

Once you sign up and complete your volunteer agreement, you can access the full list of volunteer opportunities.

If you already have a Best Friends volunteer profile, go to the volunteer portal to see opportunities available to you.

Volunteers with disabilities are welcome! Contact us to learn about volunteering with a disability; we offer shorter hour-long shifts for anyone interested. Email volunteers@bestfriends.org or call 435-319-0622 with questions or sign up for a shift.

Person sitting with a dog on a couch

Schedule a sleepover 

You can host a sleepover for an eligible Dogtown dog at your pet-friendly accommodations, such as the Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile or a Best Friends cottage or cabin. 
Sign up for a sleepover

Read about our dogs

Check out these tales about our dogs and the people like you who love them.

Baja Blast the dog smiling with his tongue out of his mouth

Starved pup thrives with new friends and plenty of food

When Baja Blast came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, he was in rough shape. But he never lost his friendly spirit.
See him now
Feature
Dan with Moogan the dog outside under a tree

Blind dog looks out for the ones he loves

Dogs are human’s best friend, but for one volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Moogan the dog is both human’s best friend and hero.
Heroism earns him extra treats
Video
The litter of Little Rock puppies sleeping in a pile together

Neighbors team up to save orphaned puppies

With the local animal shelter at capacity, an Arkansas family rallied their neighbors to care for 11 tiny homeless puppies.
Collaboration saves lives
Feature
Silhouettes of three big dogs playing

Adopt or sponsor a dog 

Looking to welcome a dog into your life? Start your search today and browse our adoptable dogs. 

Animal Previews
Animal Previews
Animal Previews
Animal Previews

Sponsor a Dogtown resident

Touched by a dog’s story or feel a special connection to a canine here at the Sanctuary? Provide a little extra TLC with the gift of sponsorship.

See all dogs available to adopt or sponsor

Group of puppies running together in the grass

Volunteer opportunities for groups

We have rewarding group volunteer experiences for your business, organization, college, or community group looking for a one-of-a-kind volunteer opportunity.
Volunteering as a group

Know before you go

If you’re not sure where to get lunch or what to wear in southern Utah during seasonal weather, we’ve got you covered.

Our animal sanctuary is an incredibly special place, and we’ll help you figure out everything you need to know to ensure that your visit is the trip of your dreams. 

Find out what to expect
Entrance sign to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Getting to our animal sanctuary

Ready to plan your volunteer trip to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in beautiful southern Utah? We have everything you need to know to get started. 
Start planning your trip
Person sitting in a screened in patio with a cat at Cat World

More ways to help at our sanctuary

With seven different animal areas and acres of canyon lands surrounding the Sanctuary, you’ll have plenty of choices for where you can lend a hand. 
Volunteering at the Sanctuary