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.
Holy Moly
Holy Moly is like a giant puppy with a zest for life. He’s silly and has a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile. He loves to snuggle and play, and he tries really hard whenever he’s learning anything new. Although he has a degenerative joint disease, medications and supplements as well as hydrotherapy and chiropractic appointments keep him feeling his best. Though he does tire quickly, he’s able to stay active doing agility, swimming, going for walks, playing with squeaky toys, and wrestling with his doggie friends. He also loves car rides. Born in 2014, Holy Moly has some obsessive-compulsive tendencies. He has a hard time staying focused when he’s tired or excited. He has struggled in the past with grabbing his leash and shaking it vigorously while walking. Dogtown trainers and caregivers have been working with him on this and have taught him to hold a toy in his mouth instead. Holy Moly will need to go home with someone who can understand and work with him when he gets tired or frustrated. He has learned impulse control and can usually calm down quickly. He is learning to pay attention and follow many training cues. Holy Moly is an incredibly sweet boy, and it’s a joy to have him as a companion and friend.
Iggy
Iggy may be hard of hearing, but he’s easy to love. As a deaf dog, he’s already learned many hand signals, including the cues for “sit,” “wait,” “stay,” “free,” “shake,” and “drop it.” Iggy is very smart and food motivated, and he loves to learn. He’s crate trained and is currently learning more hand signals in Dogtown. Iggy’s favorite things are people, toys, and playing fetch. Born in 2013, Iggy spent the first year of his life in a shelter in California. He cannot live with small dogs or cats as he has shown aggression toward them in the past, and he is picky with dogs his own size or larger. Iggy has enough energy to make a great hiking buddy and enough love to last a lifetime.
JG Wentworth
This puppy will need to be taught all those good things that puppies need to learn in order to grow up to be a great adult dog. A puppy is a project! But there’s nothing this little one would love more than to grow right up into your family. JG Wentworth was born in March 2018. If you’re in love, please fill out an adoption survey and get started!
Hennessey
Hennessey is such an affectionate guy. He loves attention so much that he could sit in your lap all day. He’s also a sweetheart with other cats. Born around 2007, he came from a shelter in California. Hennessey has feline immunodeficiency virus. He also has skin issues and takes medication for stomatitis, a painful inflammation of the mouth and gums. But he’s so easygoing that he never complains at all. He loves to eat, groom, and sleep and would be a delightful addition to any household.
Ivy
Ivy enjoys the company of people and likes a little petting and brushing, but sometimes she’d just prefer to nap. She likes to play with fishing pole toys. Ivy can talk! Her conversations mostly revolve around food: “when,” “now,” “thank you,” “yum!” She doesn’t mind other cats as long as they give her space. She likes things to be calm and quiet. Ivy was born in approximately 2010 and came to the sanctuary when her person moved into assisted living. Ivy is a sweet and loving girl who would be a fun addition to a calm, quiet home with not too many other cats. Ivy is a caturtle, also known as a shy cat who comes out of his or her shell in a home. Caturtles are free to adopt and can fly to their new homes for free anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
Juanita
Juanita is the girl with something extra — toes, that is! She is polydactyl. Born in 2003, she came from an animal rescue organization in Massachusetts. She suffered tail paralysis and had her tail amputated. She is also semi-incontinent because of bladder stones. She is fine with cats and would do well with a calm dog. Juanita is sweet, sweet, sweet and loves attention, but she’s not pushy. She will look at you, and you know she is saying “pick me!”
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.
Pippin
Pippin was found as a stray. He is shy but wants attention. He is unsure of what is going on in his life right now. He would love someone that he can love and trust. His adoption fee is $60.
Mattie, Houdini, Arlo, Sylvester, and Figario
The kittens were found as strays. They can be adopted but cannot leave the shelter until they are old enough to be altered. They are easily handled and love to play. The mother was feline leukemia virus negative. The kittens will receive their first vaccinations this week. Their adoption fees are $40.
Mr. Whiskers
Oh, what a wonderful cat. Mr. Whiskers’s family moved and could not take him with them. He is 8 years young. He is very friendly and loves attention and being petted and held. They were told he likes other cats and at the shelter; he just ignores the other cats and just goes about his own way. He comes when called. His adoption fee is $40.
Murphy
Murphy was found as a stray. It is obvious that he was someone’s cat as he is super friendly, follows you about the room, comes when called, and loves attention and being with people. He is quite talkative. He was well cared for and has a shiny, smooth coat. He is a large cat. His adoption fee is $40.
Mia
Mia’s owner moved and could not take her with him. She is 7 years young and declawed. Mia is in need of a diet and exercise plan. She is shy due to the change in her living arrangements, but she is calm and easily handled. She would make a good companion for someone wanting a couch potato to keep them company. Her adoption fee is $40.
Paris
Paris came to the shelter when her owner could no longer keep her and brought her to the shelter. She is approximately 4–5 years old. Paris never stops purring, loves to be petted, and is easily handled. She loves looking out the windows and napping where she can keep an eye on everyone. While at the shelter, it was discovered that Paris has a chronic medical condition. She is on a special diet and will need to be on this diet for the rest of her life. If you have room in your heart and home for this special kitty, please visit the shelter and meet this lovely lady. Her adoption fee is $40.
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 its care are fully vetted, including spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, and any medical care they may need. Please contact RSQ DOGS+ for more information at (800) 897-1136 or rsqdogsutah@gmail.com, or visit rsqdogsutah.org.
Ellie
My name is Ellie, but you can call me the queen because I think I’m in charge and boss everyone around. I love people of all ages and I always want to be with them, and I’ll jump a six-foot fence to find them! My breeding is a bit unknown, but I’m obviously a working dog mix, so I’ll need lots of mental and physical stimulation to keep me happy. I am picky about my canine companions, and my prey drive can be a little active, so a home by myself or with larger calm dogs would be fantastic.
Hudson
I’m Hudson, will you play with me? I’m an 8-month-old husky mix, so I’m a bundle of happy puppy excitement, right down to my stubby tail. I always want to go for walks and hikes, and I would love to find someone who has a big yard to run around in. I love playing with other dogs and I’d love to play with cats, although sometimes they don’t wanna play with me. When I’m not begging for walks, I love to hang out with people and cool off in a cool house. Can I come cool off at your house?
Boomer
Hey everyone, I’m Boomer! I was found wandering around Colorado City when animal control picked me up. No one claimed me, so my new friends at RSQ Dogs came and got me before I was put down. I am four years old and fully grown. I know some tricks like “sit” and “come.” I love people, other dogs, and walks, but I’m just as happy to be your couch companion. I’m also kid friendly and fine around cats. Aren’t I such an amazing dog? My new friends say my new home needs a fully fenced yard for me to run around in. I say I want a family who will take me for adventures! Do you want to be my fur-ever family?
Chop Stick and Stir Fry
Chop Stick and Stir Fry are a bonded pair of young adults about 1 year old. They came to RSQ DOGS+ after their owner passed away. They are very loving and playful and will need to be adopted together.
Rascal
Rascal the mustache cat! He is ready for his furever home! Rascal would do best as the only animal in the home but could adjust to a home with another cat. Rascal is a very unique and handsome cat. Let them know if you would like to meet him and be prepared to fall in love!
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.
Winnie
Winnie is a very sweet, low-key little dog. She gets along great with other dogs and older kids. She is very loyal and loves to be right by your side at all times. She is a great buddy for someone looking for a constant companion. Winnie is house trained and does well in a kennel at night. Winnie has lupus, and her medication (25 mg Cyclosporine) has to be given 1 hour before food or 2 hours after. It costs about $45 a month. Call Michelle at (435) 703-3926 for more information on Winnie. Her adoption fee is $125.
Walt
Walt is approximately 8 years old. He would like nothing better than to go on a walk with you, go for a run in the desert, be your companion, and then lay down at your feet at the end of the day (or in your lap … he likes laps a lot). Older children would be best for him, and he would also be a great pet for an older couple. Walt is well behaved in a house, and although he is crate trained, he prefers to live in close proximity with his humans. Walt’s foster mom says he is a great dog and he deserves a home of his own. Walt’s only problem is that nobody wants to adopt him because he has stage 1 kidney failure and requires a special diet. The vet says he could live a couple of years, or more, or less. There’s just no telling, but if you’ve seen the videos of him running in the desert, you would know he’s not ready to cash it in yet. Everyone who knows Walt believes he deserves a family. Are you a family that is willing to give love and be loved, even if it is time-limited? If so, call Corinne at (435) 760-3414 and set up a time to meet him. You will fall in love with him … everyone does!
Pebbles
Pebbles is a sweet little dog with a lot of love to give. A small dog with a big personality, Pebbles is about 4 years old but hasn’t had much contact with people so is quite cautious when meeting new people and takes some time to get comfortable. However, once he gets to know you, he is warm and loving with his favorite place being in the arms of his person. Very playful with other small dogs, he walks well on a leash while displaying typical “small dog bark bigger than his bite” attitude. To welcome Pebbles into your family, call Phyllis at (435) 862-2207. His adoption fee is $125.
