To volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary near Kanab, Utah, reserve a shift ahead of time, check the age and other requirements for your chosen area, and plan to drive between animal areas. Volunteers help with routine care and socialization, but each area has its own rules and limited capacity. The official volunteer preparation guide should be checked before you book because its page does not state when its policies and schedules were last updated.
What volunteers do
Volunteer work can include feeding, cleaning, grooming, walking, and socializing animals. The activities available depend on the area and its needs. If you are interested in a special project such as maintenance, contact the volunteer department in advance to ask what may be available.
There is no ranked list of areas: choose based on the animals or work that interest you, your age, and your ability to meet the area’s physical and safety requirements.
Check age requirements before booking
Minimum ages differ by location. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; one adult may supervise up to two minors. Confirm the rules for your chosen area before signing up, since requirements can change.
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| Volunteer area | Minimum age listed in the official guide |
|---|---|
| Cat World, Bunny House, Parrot Garden | 8+ |
| Dogtown and outings, Piggy Paradise, Horse Haven | 16+ |
| Wild Friends, Sanctuary Store, Angel’s Rest, landscaping | 18+ |
Reserve a shift in advance
The guide lists two daily volunteer shifts, in Mountain Time. Availability is subject to capacity, and the sanctuary says animal care centers do not accept walk-ins. Shifts can be scheduled online up to a year ahead, according to the guide.
| Shift | Listed time |
|---|---|
| Morning | 8:15–11:30 a.m. |
| Afternoon | 1:15–3:30 p.m. |
Use volunteers.bestfriends.org to arrange volunteer time. For individual questions, the volunteer department lists [email protected] and 435-319-0622. The sanctuary’s volunteer guide also recommends booking tours in advance.
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Follow the safety rules for your area
Read the sanctuary’s safety overview before your shift. Staff provide additional area-specific rules at orientation; follow those instructions even if you have volunteered with animals elsewhere.
- Keep a safe distance from animals and leave yourself room to react to unpredictable movement.
- Close and secure gates and doors whenever you enter or leave an animal area.
- Do not use a cellphone or camera while supervising animals.
- If animals fight, get staff rather than trying to break up the fight yourself.
- Be prepared for possible exposure to hay, dust, and other allergens.
- Do not bring personal pets into animal areas or leave them unattended in a vehicle.
- Cancel your shift if you have a cold, flu, or upper respiratory infection.
Wear sturdy shoes and practical layers
Closed-toe shoes with at least a heel strap are required in animal areas. Sneakers or hiking shoes are preferred; clog-type shoes are not permitted. Boots are suggested for work with horses or pigs. Wear long pants in animal-care areas; they are required for horse and pig volunteering.
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- Choose comfortable footwear suited to sandy terrain.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water for sun and heat.
- In cooler seasons, dress in layers.
- Avoid perfume, cologne, and strongly scented lotion because some animals are sensitive to smells.
- If you have pets at home, bring clothes you have not worn around them. If you work with equines, goats, or sheep at home or in your community, bring clothes and shoes that have not been worn around those animals.
Plan how you will get around the sanctuary
You need your own vehicle to travel between the welcome center and animal areas. Best Friends describes the sanctuary as more than 3,700 acres, with some areas several miles apart; walking between them is not a practical option, and bicycles are not permitted on most sanctuary roads. The sanctuary is five miles north of Kanab, Utah. Check your route and allow time to get from the welcome center to your assigned area.
Prepare for Kanab’s high-desert conditions
The guide describes Kanab as roughly 5,000 feet above sea level, with low humidity and bright sunlight common. Bring water, sun protection, comfortable shoes, and clothing suited to the season. Some people find the elevation affects their breathing or energy.
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Summer daytime temperatures can reach 90°F or higher; the guide says July and August are often 90–100°F, with possible thunderstorms. Heavy rain can create flash-flood danger in canyons and washes, so use caution in storms and avoid flood-prone areas.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check meal details before relying on them
The guide lists Angel Village café as serving a plant-based buffet daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $5 per person, with water and a coffee bar available; the menu changes daily. The page does not date this price or schedule, so confirm current meal service and cost before making plans.
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Confirm current details before your trip
Best Friends’ volunteer and sanctuary pages do not state a publication or revision date for the details above. Age rules, policies, shift availability, meal service, and weather guidance may change. Check the official volunteer preparation guide and sanctuary overview before traveling.
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