The Independent Southern Utah Adoptable Pets Guide features adoptable pets from various animal shelters throughout southern Utah. Get a new pet today!
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located five miles north of Kanab at 5001 Angel Canyon Road. All adoptable cats and dogs are spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations. If you have questions about a specific pet or the adoption process, please email adoptions@bestfriends.org. If you’d like to apply to adopt one of these featured pets, click the link to their bio where you will find the adoption survey.
Horace
Horace is always up for an adventure. He has been great with everyone he has met at the Sanctuary and loves to play and have a fun time. He can be a high energy dog, but he does settle down on sleepovers after he’s had a long walk or hike. He often escaped from a tie out at his previous home, and he can jump a fence so he’ll need a yard with a tall, secure fence and someone who can keep an eye on him at first when he is outside. Although Horace seems to really like other dogs, in his previous home he would guard toys, food, and water from other dogs, so he might need to be an only pet in the home. Because he has shown aggression toward cats in the past, he cannot live with them. Horace was born in 2017 and came to Best Friends from a shelter. At Dogtown, he is working on remaining calm for harnessing as well as for polite greetings. He is also practicing trades for his food bowl to reduce food guarding. Horace would do best in an active home. If you are looking for a fun dog to explore with, he would love to be your best friend.
Hawkeye
Hawkeye is nervous and fearful with new people and places, but he can be won over easily with encouragement and yummy treats. After a few meetings, he will greet you with full body wiggles and a big smile. He is incredibly affectionate with people he knows and trusts. Born in 2015, Hawkeye is a perfect balance of energy and affection. He would happily go on long hikes or just cuddle on the couch with you. He loves to sit on your lap and gives lots of kisses. Hawkeye guards his toys, and he has nipped in the past when he was feeling uncomfortable around someone. At the Sanctuary, Hawkeye is working on getting more comfortable with meeting new people and going to new places. He’s done well with all the dogs he’s met at Dogtown. Hawkeye would do best in an adult-only home with someone who understands his anxieties and who can help him feel comfortable and confident.
Pikito
Pikito is a great companion once he’s gotten to know you. He has some trust issues and needs some time to get comfortable, but once he has warmed up, he will show his true colors as a happy, goofy little dog. He can be very affectionate and likes to sit on your lap or right next to you. One of his favorite things to do is to ride in the car where he sits nicely and watches the world go by. He can be picky about his animal friends, and he doesn’t always like to share, so he will guard food and toys from other dogs and sometimes from people too. He has also shown a tendency to be reactive to other dogs and to people, but since coming to the Sanctuary and working on a training plan, he has vastly improved his skills meeting other dogs and people. His behavior has greatly improved as he’s built relationships and learned that people are safe and fun. He has successfully lived with dogs of all sizes, and he passed a cat test at the Sanctuary. Pikito is currently on supplements to help him stay calm and focus on training. This is something that could be reduced or eliminated in a home. However, he should be muzzled for vetting as he does not like medical handling. Pikito was born in 2014 and came to Best Friends from a humane society in Florida. He’ll be a great companion for an individual or adult family who is experienced with dogs and willing to work with him on his behavioral training. A training plan will be included when he goes to his new home. He’ll do best in a quiet, adult-only home where he can relax at your feet or on your lap with a toy.
Manzoni
Manzoni is easygoing both with people and other cats. He’s especially sweet to his feline friend Geri; they arrived here together after their person passed away. Manzoni was born in 2016. He’s a big, fluffy handsome boy who’d love to have a home again.
Doc Marten
Doc Marten is very affectionate, and he’ll greet you at the door. He can be playful, but his favorite thing is to groom other cats. Born in 2011, he came from a shelter in California. Doc has both Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). He’s currently in good health and requires no treatment. Doc is a handsome guy who has an easygoing disposition. He loves sitting in your lap and getting brushed. He also enjoys going for rides in a stroller.
Max
Max is a bit shy at first but warms up to you quickly. Then he’ll stretch his neck out as far as possible so you can give him chin scratches. Max was born in 2014. Sadly, he came to Best Friends when his person suddenly passed away. Max is in good health and he’d love to find another person willing to scratch his chin.
RSQ Dogs+
RSQ Dogs+ is Southern Utah’s newest nonprofit animal rescue group. It is an all-volunteer group dedicated to saving the lives of animals in underserved, rural areas of Washington County. All of the animals in their care are fully vetted including spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip and any medical care they may need. For more information, please contact RSQ Dogs+ at (800) 897-1136 or RSQDogsUtah@gmail.com or visit RSQDogsUtah.org.
Bandit
Bandit is an approximately 1 to 2-year-old black lab mix. He has that loving lab personality and gets along well with other dogs. He is also a bit of an escape artist so a well-fenced yard is an important element if adoption is a consideration. Bandit would make a great hiking buddy or just a good friend to hang around with.
Nakita
It’s hard to imagine that anyone would give up beautiful Nakita, She has a sweet wiggly puppy personality that is hard to resist. At 6 months old, she would make a fun and devoted addition to any family.
Kenai
Kenai is an approximately 1 to 2-year-old Brittany Spaniel mix. He has been a bit timid at the center but easily came out of his shell playing outside with other dogs. He walks well on a leash and does well riding in a car. With a sweet personality, Kenai would make a happy addition to an active, loving family.
Naomi
Naomi and her sisters Mia and Shiloh are new to RSQ Dogs! They were born around early September and are the cutest girls.
Providing Animals With Support (PAWS)
PAWS Adoption Center is located at 1125 W 1130 N in St. George. Please submit an application at dixiepaws.org. Call (435) 688-9748 or email officepaws@gmail.com. All pets are microchipped, spayed or neutered, and current on vaccinations. Below are the pets currently available for adoption from the shelter.
Bruce
Bruce was abandoned or lost and they believe attacked by either a coyote or bobcat. He has healed up nicely and has now joined the PAWS family. He has clearly been loved and trained by someone, he’s a smart guy, very treat motivated, good leash manners, frankly just well mannered all around. He’s a calm guy, looking for a calm home, with lots of love, walks and training (again he loves treats so for him training is fun). Stop by PAWS and meet this wonderful guy with the soulful eyes. His adoption fee is $125.
Ruby
If you are looking for one beautiful sweet family dog go visit her at PAWS where she’s waiting to meet you! She’s an absolute doll, loving, calm and darling. Ruby is 2 yrs old. Her adoption fee is $125.
Kirk
Kirk is a Beautiful 2-year-old Siamese/tabby mix. Kirk is shy when you first meet him but will come out of his shell when you get to know him. He gets along with other cats and loves to play. Kirk is bonded with another shy boy named Luigi and they are a 2 in 1 package. His adoption fee is $150.
Luigi
Luigi is a little on the shy side but very sweet. He will need a home that will allow his best friend Kirk to come with him. Luigi is a little shyer than Kirk but if he sees you loving on him he will understand and warm up to you. He has a beautiful orange coat with some unique swirls.
Angel
Meet Angel. This cat is such a love bug. Looking for a gorgeous companion cat? One who comes to you for loves, wants to sleep on your bed? Well, this is your girl. She only has one request…don’t pick me up. She will come to you, sit on your lap, play with you, cuddle you, just doesn’t like to be carried around. She is 5 yrs old.
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter is located at 795 Hardy Way and is open for adoptions Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. Please call (702) 346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk, or visit mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at (702) 346-5268. Adoption fees include spaying or neutering and a one-year rabies shot. Mesquite residents only receive one-year city pet licenses.
Paris
Paris has been at the shelter for 10 months. She has kidney disease and requires special food. Paris wants to be able to watch everything going on around her but does not want to be petted or cuddled. She watches over the kittens and other cats and will play with them. She would make a good cat for someone that just wants company. She would love to listen to your stories. Her adoption fee is $40.
Because Animals Matter
Because Animals Matter is dedicated to reducing animal abuse and neglect through education. It offers fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped animals for adoption through a network of foster homes and the Because Animals Matter Center, a transition facility. It also welcomes volunteers for a variety of activities and needs foster families for animals awaiting their forever homes. Please contact Because Animals Matter at (435) 773-5209 or visit becauseanimalsmatter.com for more information.
Frodo
Frodo is young and gorgeous. He has a soft coat that just feels nice to rub your hands on. Frodo is very friendly with female dogs and most male dogs. If a male gets aggressive with him, he will protect himself. He likes toys, walks, being petted and sitting in your lap. Frodo is a great all-around dog and will make any family a good companion. To meet him call (435) 773-5209. He is ready to go out the door with the right family. His adoption fee is $150.
Gus
Gus is 4 years old and know to sit and lay down commands. He plays fetch and likes to go for a run a couple of times a week. He’s an awesome hiking partner and gets along with other dogs. Gus would do well with older kids but not younger as he is sensitive to his tail being touched and he can get a little rambunctious when playing. He so wants love and to make someone happy. Although good with other dogs, they don’t know how he is with cats. His adoption fee is $125. To meet Gus, call Dee at (435) 705-0468. Gus’ adoption fee is $125.
Sabrina
After being hit by a car, little Sabrina spent 8 weeks in a cast while her bones healed. She’s 10 years old but loves to adventure by car, trail, or river. Snuggles are her favorite, but she’s not a couch potato. Sabrina lives with several big dogs and enjoys their company. Never once have they heard her bark. Sabrina would be great in any home but, even with her cast off, she will still need tender care until her bones are strong. Sabrina does require daily medication for an enlarged heart but nothing stops this little dog from living life to its fullest. They are still working on house training, but the process is slow due to her broken bones. Sabrina sleeps through the night without urinating and does not urinate on the carpet but will on tile. Her cast may be at fault, and now with it removed, she’ll be more agile and move more easily. To meet Sabrina or find out more about her, contact Andrea or A.J. at (612) 756-2374. Sabrina’s adoption fee is $100 and she is also eligible for their Seniors Helping Seniors Program.
Disco
Disco is a handsome, smart, affectionate border collie blend who found himself at a nearby shelter. He would love to be your hiking or jogging partner or go for car rides, camping and just be a good friend. Disco knows sit, down and is the world’s best paw shaker. Disco would not be good with toddlers or young children as he has a strong herding instinct. If you have another dog, Disco would prefer it be a female and close to his size. His herding instinct is a bit much for small dogs and he’d prefer a home without cats. To meet Disco, call J at (435) 773-5209. Disco’s adoption fee is $125.
Divot
Divot is a really sweet little dog who lost his home when his owner had to have surgery and was unable to care him. Divot has a tendency to nip at children when they run and has not been friendly with the cat in his foster home so prefers a home without either. Divot has enjoyed cuddling with his owner and now his foster parent. He is crate trained and loves to play with his toys. He’s a bit too food motivated and is on a diet at this time. To meet Disco, call J at (435) 773-5209. Disco’s adoption fee is $125.
