The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary of Kanab, Utah
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The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary of Kanab, Utah


Animal lovers from around the world know about Kanab, Utah for one special reason; it’s the location of the famous Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Like many shelters, this no-kill animal shelter and sanctuary takes in cats and dogs. However, they also take in a variety of other types of pets, including horses, rabbits, pigs, birds, donkeys, and more.

Located in the heart of Kanab, this incredible sanctuary offers tours, a cafe, a gift shop, and more. It’s open daily for visitors to Kanab, Utah to experience the fantastic work that the volunteers and staff do and to meet with adoptable pets.

Thinking about making a visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary a part of your next stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel? Keep reading to learn more about this unique place, what you can do during your visit, and more.

What is the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary?

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was started by a group of 31 individuals and friends in 1984. They came from many different places around the world but settled together in Southern Utah with a mission of changing the future for pets living in animal shelters across the country.

They established a sanctuary in Kanab and began taking in abused and abandoned animals. At first, their focus was on making a difference locally in the lives of animals. However, the operation has since grown into the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the world. The sanctuary, and the people behind it, have also become a pivotal part of the fight to end the killing of dogs and cats in animal shelters across the U.S., through their mission to “Save Them All.”

Today, the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is home for up to 1,600 animals at a time. 

Visiting the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

If you have a passion for protecting animals of all kinds, want to get involved in the sanctuary’s mission, or are looking for a new furry family member, you can visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Situated in beautiful Kanab, Utah, the sanctuary welcomes guests.

Start by stopping by the Welcome Center. Here, you can learn more about the sanctuary and its mission. Grab a map to find the areas that you can explore on your own. There are hiking trails open to visitors on the property, as well as other public areas, including Angels Rest, Angels Landing, and Angels Overlook. If you have your own pet with you, they can join you on a hike or while visiting any public outdoor areas. Or, sign up for a tour of the property.

There’s also a cafe on the property. Angel Village Cafe serves a daily, plant-based buffet lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meal costs just $5 per person. A gift shop in the Welcome Center is a great spot to purchase a souvenir of your visit.

You can sign up ahead of your visit to spend a day volunteering at the sanctuary, or join in one of their available workshops or classes.

Where to Stay During Your Visit 

Planning to spend the day at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary? Staying in Kanab, Utah will allow you to make the most of your time. Canyons Boutique Hotel is less than 10 minutes from the sanctuary by car. This Utah resort is even pet-friendly!

At Canyons Boutique Hotel, we offer pet-friendly rooms by request. Bring along your own beloved pet for some outdoor fun! We also welcome doggy sleepovers with rescues from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Planning to adopt a new furry family member during your visit? Stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel for your first night together, and enjoy extras like a special check-in water bowl and extra blankets to make your stay more comfortable.

There are a few rules in place to ensure that guests and their pets enjoy a safe, fun stay. Guests will need to pay a pet fee of $20 per dog, per night. Dogs must be socialized, fully housebroken, up-to-date on their immunizations, and on a monthly flea preventative. 

Planning a Stay at Canyons Hotel

Whether you’re planning a visit to Kanab, Utah specifically to visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary or are coming to the area to experience everything else that Southern Utah has to offer, Canyons Hotel is the perfect basecamp. As Kanab’s only boutique-style hotel, Canyons Boutique Hotel combines the luxuries of a large chain hotel with an intimate setting you won’t find anywhere else. 

Our beautifully decorated hotel rooms make you instantly feel at home, while added amenities like spa tubs, plush robes, and spa-quality bath products add a touch of luxury to your stay. Dig into a delicious hot breakfast buffet before heading out for a day of exploring in nearby Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon, and more.

With Best Friends Animal Sanctuary just a short drive away, Canyons Boutique Hotel is also the perfect basecamp for your visit, whether you’re traveling with a four-legged friend or not.

Ready to start planning your next visit? Book your stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel today!