Quick Facts About Volunteering
Volunteering at Best Friends benefits both you and the animals you spend time with. As a volunteer, you can do just about anything. Some people come to walk dogs (and cats!), clean, groom, feed, take seminars, or just sit and spend time with a favorite animal.
There are seven animal areas at the sanctuary and each of them welcomes volunteers: Bunny House, Cat World, Dogtown, Horse Haven, Parrot Garden, Piggy Paradise, and Wild Friends.
What can volunteers do?
Scheduling your volunteer time
Who can volunteer?
Can I bring my pet?
Special skills/special projects
Hours of operation
Where to eat lunch
What can volunteers do?
Once you have completed your volunteer orientation you will be able to help with a variety of activities, such as feeding, cleaning, grooming, walking, petting, brushing, singing, or just sitting with the animals - you can spend as little or as much time as you wish.
Scheduling your volunteer time
Each animal area has a maximum number of volunteers it can accommodate daily. Please contact our Volunteer department at volunteers@bestfriends.org or at (435) 644-2001 ext 4119 to make arrangements prior to your arrival. This will ensure that you get to volunteer in your favorite animal areas. If you are interested in participating in a class/activity while you are here we will let you know what is available during your stay.
Stay all day, or divide your time. Volunteer in the morning and go sight-seeing in the afternoon. You are always welcome!
Who can volunteer?
Anyone 18 and over may volunteer. For safety reasons, children five and under cannot volunteer (but certainly may visit). Anyone between the ages of six and seventeen may volunteer at the discretion of the staff if accompanied by parent or guardian (some areas may have additional restrictions).
Can I bring my pet?
If you are traveling with your own pet, please be aware that we do not offer any type of "day care" for pets so you must make your own pet care arrangements. Leaving your pet in your car is not an option.
Special skills/special projects
If you are adept in areas such as landscaping or maintenance for example, please contact us (volunteers@bestfriends.org) well in advance of your visit. We may be able to arrange for you to be involved in a special project.
Hours of operation
The sanctuary is open all year: seven days a week. Volunteer hours are from 8:15 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day.
Where to eat lunch
The lunch hour at the Angel Village cafe is 12 noon - 1 p.m. Our staff prepares a delicious vegetarian lunch each day (except Sundays). Full lunch (main course and salad bar) is $5.00, or salad bar alone is only $3.00. Mix and mingle with other volunteers and Best Friends' staff for a healthy meal in a beautiful and relaxing setting.
