Best Friends Staff Stories

Mike Bricker holding a puppy in front of a Best Friends van

Meet Mike Bricker, new animal care operations director at the Sanctuary

Get an inside look and hear what’s on the horizon at the Sanctuary.
See what's coming
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Two people sitting outside with a happy dog between them

Best Friends introduces paid family leave benefit

Your job should make it easier for you to take care of your family, not harder.
Becoming an even better place to work
Julie Castle Blog
Best Friends caregiver hugging a boxer dog

It’s time we have a conversation about pay

Personal sacrifice and passion cannot be the price of admission into nonprofit animal welfare.
Fair compensation needed for animal caregivers
Julie Castle Blog
Caregiver Ashley McDaniel holding a cat in front of a flowering tree

Meet the caregiver: Ashley McDaniel

Ashley McDaniel’s passion for saving lives led her to Best Friends and Cat World.
Meet Ashley
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Caregiver Brianna Vlach with Eagle the rat

Meet the caregiver: Brianna Vlach

Brianna Vlach is a champion of misunderstood animals. Whether they’re domestic, exotic or wild, she and her crew at Wild Friends give them what they need to thrive.
Meet Brianna
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Julie Castle

Happy National Employee Appreciation Day!

No matter what your business is, people should be valued.
Julie Castle Blog
Caregiver Elle Greer with a cockatoo in her lap

Meet the caregiver: Elle Greer

Elle Greer’s passion for rescue work and parrots brought her to Best Friends. We think she stays for the dance parties. They are a regular part of her job caring for the birds at the Parrot Garden, where every day is a new adventure.
Meet Elle
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Caregiver Sondra Lewis smiling while lying next to Binky the rabbit

Meet the caregiver: Sondra Lewis

Sondra Lewis, a lifesaving care specialist at the Bunny House, moved across the country to be a part of the lifesaving work happening at Best Friends. Now every day is filled with new experiences and discovery — and rabbits.
Meet Sondra
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Datura flowers blooming in front of a red rock cliff in Angel Canyon

Saying goodbye to a founder

Claire Ives was truly a force for the animals and she made invaluable contributions to getting Best Friends off the ground.
Julie Castle Blog
Caregiver Tim Dempsey in a golf cart with Abbott the dog

Meet the caregiver: Tim Dempsey

Tim is a lifesaving and care specialist, AKA a Dogtown caregiver. He’s been working for Best Friends since 2018 and is originally from Matawan, New Jersey. Tim is one of the incredibly special people who care for the canine residents of the Sanctuary.
Meet Tim
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Angel Canyon landscape of red cliffs with a road running through it

Best Friends receives Utah Top Workplaces award and leadership award

Best Friends receives Utah Top Workplaces and CEO leadership awards from the Salt Lake Tribune.
Julie Castle Blog