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Visit DogTown at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Posted by Meg Weaver on March 20, 2009
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DogtownThe National Geographic Channel’s series DogTown kicks off its third season tonight, Friday, March 20th, at 10 p.m. The series examines the important and emotional work of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, among the largest no-kill animal shelters in the U.S., as it houses, treats, and seeks permanent homes for dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, goats, pigs, parrots, and other domestic animals. Best Friends is often these animals’ last hope as many are tough to adopt due to advanced age, shyness, or medical conditions.
  
Best Friends is set on 33,000 acres in southern Utah’s Red Rock canyon country, not too far from what’s appropriately called the Golden Circle of parks: the Grand Canyon (about 75 miles away), Zion (25 miles), Bryce (60 miles), Lake Powell (65 miles), and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (10 miles). Best Friends, about a four-hour drive from Las Vegas, welcomes visitors and offers eight spacious guest cottages for those dropping by. You can even spend the night with a dog or cat from Best Friends if you’re thinking of adopting; they provide the supplies and kibble, too. Camping is also available on their extensive grounds and there are some pet-friendly hotels in town in Kanab. Beyond a day visit and tagging along on one of the four, 1-1/2 hour tours offered daily, it’s possible to stay a little longer to volunteer to help feed the animals, clean enclosures, assist with grooming, and even take Fido for a stroll and play fetch.

If you’re planning a trip in out West this summer, consider stopping by Best Friends to check out DogTown (or Cat World, Horse Haven, even Piggie Paradise) yourself. My dear friend Jill Williams, a Pennsylvania native like yours truly, did just that for two weeks five years ago and was so moved by the important work of Best Friends and the sheer beauty of the place that she now lives in Kanab with her husband and son; they both work for Best Friends (she as part of their Guardian Angel program), and her family of three humans, three dogs, and three cats love it. She tells me she can’t imagine a more beautiful place.

Photos: Left, National Geographic Channel; Right, Jill Williams

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  1. katie rehkopf
    March 20, 2009, 8:50 pm

    Drove by this place once when crossing the country. Always regretted not stopping but I was traveling with someone who was anxious about how many stops I wanted to make and I had to be selective. I probably would never have left. This is a wonderful way to incorporate tourism with animal rescue. There should be one in every state.

  2. Paternoster Accommodation
    March 22, 2009, 4:39 am

    Hi thanks for the info, really nice to read somthing interesting for a change. I Love my dogs :)

  3. JB in MN
    April 9, 2009, 10:00 am

    As soon as I saw the first episode of Dogtown on NGC, I was HOOKED. I immediately booked a trip to Best Friends with my daughter to celebrate my 50th bday. It was a transformational experience that will shape the second half of my walk through life. This place is pure magic. Its amazing to be able to volunteer and take part in such a worthy and wonderful endeavor. I cant describe what it is like to be in this beautiful canyon, working side by side with thousands of other staff and volunteers who treat these down and out creatures like they are the most important things on the earth. The positive energy there will renew your spirit and give you hope for the future. To visit and volunteer, just check out the Best Friends web site. If you possibly can, book one of their cottages or cabins and stay on site to really get the feel of the place. I cant say enough about it. We already have our next trip booked! Thank you NGC for giving us more episodes about Dogtown, please keep them coming. Love you Best Friends.

  4. judy
    August 1, 2009, 7:59 pm

    I think you guys are doing a great thing. I cry everytime i watch your show, and i think each and everyone of you are awsome people. and i was wondering what site i would go on to look at the adoptable animals that you have. thank you very much.

  5. David
    March 2, 2010, 6:19 pm

    WOW! It’s so beautiful.Is is a real!!
    Miniature Dogs

  6. debbie
    March 21, 2010, 2:54 am

    I would love to come and stay to volunteer with the animals. My family has been volunteering for St. Louis Stray Rescue for over 3 years now. What kind of housing and vacation plans do you have?
    Sincerely,
    Debbie Iven

  7. kyle simpson
    May 13, 2010, 10:26 pm

    hey dog town weiewers we need your help!!!!!!!!!!. NGC TOOK DOGTOWN OFF THE AIR. ITS HAS NOT BEEN ON TV FOR A WHILE. THERES A PART WHERE YOU CAN WRITE TO NGC ABOUT CANCELING DOGTOWN. WE NEED MORE POSTS SO WE CAN BRING DOGTOWN BACK. ALSO ATTENTION ALL DOG TOWN VOLUNTEERS WRITE SOMETHING TO NGC ABOUT CANCELING DOGTOWN. ITS SOME WHERE ON THE WEB SITE FOR NGC. TRY DOGTOWN LOOK FOR IT. ATTENTION ALL BEST FREINDS ANIMAL SCENUARY FRIENDS WE ALL NEED TO MAKE A POST ON NGC TO BRING DOGTOWN BACK ON TV WITH NGC. WE HAVE TO SHOW THEM THEIR TRUE “AUDIANCE” IF YOU LOVE THE SHOW THAN YOU SHOULD MAKE A POST ABOUT IT.
    KYLE

  8. Cynthia
    May 14, 2010, 2:07 pm

    I was searching the website trying to find Dogtown on the show schedule when I found this. Bummer!! I really miss the show. I looked forward to watching it every week. I love the organization and everyone working at Dogtown. I really liked the trainers positive training methods. I wish you had a location where I live, so I could come and train there.

  9. Nancy Kieffer
    May 14, 2010, 2:35 pm

    PLEASE BRING BACK DOGTOWN!!!!!! This show was a great compainion to the Friday night line-up. Dogtown deserves the support of their fans and we the fans want it back!!!! Please.

  10. Charlene
    May 15, 2010, 7:24 pm

    Bring Back DOGTOWN to the NGC we need it to spread awareness of all the wonderful dogs that need that FOREVER home!!!
    I would have never known about “DOGTOWN” if it was not profiled on the National Geographic Chanel… I would watch it religiously… that is for sure! I also know of at least 50 other people whom would watch it religiously too!

  11. Florida Car Hire
    September 1, 2010, 5:03 pm

    Selfless and very important, its great that this exists and I wish there were more like it !
    Tim

  12. Shirley Hollenbaugh
    September 11, 2010, 6:31 pm

    I have been waiting for Dog Town to return and check the schedule periodically and finally got on the internet and checked your scheule……what? No more dogtown? This is not right, it’s such good programming and well worth watching. I highly respect all those people that have such patience and love for the animals brought there. Please bring it back, there is so little good programs to watch.

  13. Myra Shoop
    Missouri
    January 20, 5:30 pm

    I didnt realize Dogtown was no longer on NGC. There is so little to watch on Tv these days. Dogtown was a bright spot on friday night. How often do you get to watch a tv show that makes you cry, laugh and feel good about what the people of Dogtown do? It is terribly missed by so many!