Volunteer as a group at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

At our animal sanctuary, your group can have a rewarding and team-building volunteer experience in a beautiful setting.

Located in the red rock canyons of southern Utah, our animal sanctuary sits on thousands of acres and is home to up to 1,600 animals on any given day. Because of the large scale of our sanctuary, groups of volunteers like yours are essential to keeping the Sanctuary grounds beautiful and safe for our animals and visitors.

Most group tasks and projects don't involve direct contact with the animals, but they are every bit as fun and rewarding.

We welcome corporate and professional groups, nonprofit organizations, animal rescue and advocacy organizations, animal welfare volunteers or professionals, college and university service groups and clubs, high school service groups and clubs, community groups, and faith-based organizations — to name a few.

Strengthen your team while helping out

You’ll volunteer alongside your group, working together on projects to benefit both people and animals.

See what a group volunteer day can look like:

Here’s what you can expect when volunteering as a group

The Sanctuary is a big place, so group volunteer activities cover a wide range of projects around the grounds.

Volunteer Tasks

There are plenty of projects around the Sanctuary that your group can work on together, including landscaping (weeding and groundskeeping), trail creation and maintenance, mucking pastures, deep cleaning of animal areas, preparing vehicles for animal transports, and sanding and painting projects.

In addition to volunteer tasks, your group will learn about Best Friends’ work across the country and what you can do to help homeless pets in your community. Our group coordinators will facilitate educational talks, conduct tours, and guide your group during each shift.

Time Commitment

Group volunteer opportunities can range from half a day to several days, depending on the needs of your group.

Volunteer Requirements

Due to safety considerations and the physical nature of many of our service projects, all group experience participants must be at least 14 years old. One adult group leader can supervise up to five minor volunteers.

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

Get ready for a gratifying and fun team-building experience!

If you have a group of between six and 12 people interested in volunteering for a duration of one to five days, please contact us to explore group volunteer opportunities. Email groups@bestfriends.org or call 435-319-0622 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mountain Time.

Keep in mind that the Sanctuary is a popular destination for volunteer groups, and we process bookings on a first-come, first-served basis. So we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. One of our staff members will guide you through the process and answer all your questions about your group volunteer options.

In addition to no-cost group service experiences, you can book paid volunteer tours for vacation tour groups and retreats. Email groups@bestfriends.org for more information.

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.

Spend time with the animals

Outside of your group experience, you can sign up to volunteer as an individual, host an animal sleepover, or take a dog out for the day.

Sign up to volunteer on your own

With seven different animal areas and acres of canyon lands surrounding the Sanctuary, you’ll have plenty of choices regarding where you’d like to lend a hand.

Volunteering at the Sanctuary

Person taking a dog for a walk in a canyon creek

Take a dog on an adventure

You can sign up to take a dog for an outing around town or on a nearby hike. Outings are a great time for both dogs and people!

Enrich a dog’s day with an outing

Host a sleepover for a pet from the Sanctuary

A sleepover gives an adoptable pet the chance to experience life away from the Sanctuary and gives you extra one-on-one time with a loving dog or cat.

Hosting a sleepover

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

Two smiling people sitting with a bunny outside

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