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.
Ducky
Ducky is a total goofball who loves to make silly faces and give kisses. After being rescued during Hurricane Harvey, he’s been so happy and excited about every part of life. Born in 2014, Ducky is the perfect blend of affectionate and independent. He loves spending time with people on walks, and he is a great hiking buddy. During downtime, he is totally content to play with his toys on his own. Ducky can get very excited and jumpy with people he likes, but he can also get overwhelmed and nervous with petting. Ducky has a history of guarding his food, and he has bitten in the past to protect it. He’s made significant improvements with all the training he’s done at the Sanctuary, but his new person or family will need to keep working with him. Once the food bowl is put away, Ducky is the most happy-go-lucky character. If you’re looking for a dog who knows how to be the class clown, he would love to meet you.
Smokey
Smokey is shy with people, but he loves walks and food so that is the key to his heart. He needs time to get comfortable in new places and with new people, but he will accept treats and warm up quickly. He is not yet comfortable being petted or handled by people, but he loves doing activities with other dogs and learning from them. Smokey absolutely adores other dogs at the Sanctuary. He is very active and playful when he’s around them, and they help him build his confidence. Smokey was born in 2014 and came to Best Friends from a humane society in Idaho. He can jump fences, so he is considered a flight risk. In a former foster home, he was a bit of an escape artist, so he will need a home with a secure enclosure and someone with a watchful eye. At the Sanctuary, he is working on crate training, getting into and riding in a car and getting more comfortable with new places. He already walks well on a leash. Smokey will need some time to adjust to a new home, but with time and patience, he will make a wonderful companion.
Bossco
Bossco is a happy, energetic young dog. He loves people and is always happy to see you. He is very smart and loves learning new things. Bossco is enthusiastic about life in general but he gets especially excited to do nose work, a fun search and scenting sport. Since coming to the Sanctuary, Bossco has become an expert at it. Born in 2017, Bossco has some respiratory issues that limit his ability to go for walks with the leash clipped to a collar or certain harnesses, but he is currently trying a new harness that seems to help. He loves to run around in open spaces, do agility and get attention. Bossco gets very jumpy and mouthy when he gets excited, and he can jump fences. He’s working on being calm for leashing, not jumping on people and staying calm while getting attention. When it comes to attention, Bossco will want to be the center of it in a home of his own. He would do best as an only pet so you can give him all your love. He will give you all his love in return.
Brilynn
Brilynn is very shy, but you can approach her slowly. She’s even intimidated by other cats and mostly keeps to herself. Born in February 2018, she came from a Colorado animal shelter. Brilynn is scared in new situations and tends to hide. She can get a little hissy, but never aggressive. This sweet girl is looking for someone who has a lot of love and patience.
Oscar
It’s easy to fall in love with Oscar. He’s affectionate and friendly with all people and he’s great with other cats. Born in 2011, he came from Louisiana. Oscar has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), but he requires no treatment and he can even live with other cats. Oscar is super friendly and easygoing. He took a long trip to get to Best Friends in stride and adjusted right away to his temporary home. But he’s looking for a permanent one with people who will pet and groom him.
Mister
Mister is a social butterfly. He loves everyone, whether human or feline. Born in late summer 2018, he came from a California shelter. Mister has Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), so he’ll need to be an only cat or live with other cats who have the virus. He is fun-loving, playful and loves laps. This purr box would be an asset to any home.
RSQ Dogs+
Echo
Back in March, we received a call about a terrible hoarding situation in California. 30 dogs had been living unattended in a motor home. To avoid euthanasia, RSQ took in 6 of these pups. Meet Loki, a perky 13-year-young Chihuahua. He loves the great outdoors whether laying in the sun or sunflowers. He is getting more used to people and enjoying their attention and has recently gone to a foster home. With patience and love, this boy could become your best friend and most loyal companion. A second chance for a normal life is all this little guy wants.
Skie
Adorable Skie and her partner Shep have patiently been waiting up in Hildale for a room at the RSQ dogs Inn. Now they are here and so ready to find their forever homes. They are still a bit shy but very friendly. Skie does have a heavy coat that will require some maintenance and a well-fenced yard is important as this breed loves to run and jump. Those beautiful eyes tell you I will be your new best friend.
Mason
Mason is a handsome, young Domestic Short Hair. He is house trained and would do well in a home with other cats or alone. Mason is looking for the purrfect home. Could it be yours?
Aries
RSQ Dogs got Aries as a kitten with his brother Leo. He is now a small, orange and white cat about 1-year-old is house-trained and would be good in a home with other cats or by himself. He’s purrfect!
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.
Springy (Pip)
Spring (also known as Pip) is a wonderful little dog who knows some basic commands. He is house-trained with current vaccinations and is good with other dogs and cats. Pip will need an adoptive home where he will not be used for breeding purposes. He has a heart murmur and cannot be neutered for his own safety so only families willing to keep him from breeding need apply. He is a very loving, sweet guy who bounces joyfully through the day but enjoys laps. Is your lap is in his future? His adoption fee is $125. To meet Pip or find out more about him please text or call Julie at (435) 773-5209.
Belle
Belle is a wonderful little dog who knows some basic commands. She is house-trained with current vaccinations and is good with other dogs. Her adoption fee is $125. To meet Belle or find out more about her please text or call Julie at (435) 773-5209.
Erik
Erik is a beautiful adult Doberman who needs an adoptive or foster home. His adoption fee is $125.
Tucker
Tucker is an energetic, playful young dog who gets along with just about everyone. He will need guidance to learn all his manners but walks well on a leash and just wants to please his human. To meet Tucker or find out more about him please text or call Julie at (435) 773-5209.
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.
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.
Raider
Raider has been at the shelter for months. He is a great dog. He loves being with people in the exercise yard but loves being inside in the “cool”. He plays with toys, knows sit, shake, down, wait, and does well on a leash. He is a big strong boy and would need lots of exercise and a fenced yard. He did not like a small dog in the home. His adoption fee is $60.
Jasmine
Jasmine’s owner moved and could not take her or her housemate Chappie. She is a very friendly outgoing cat approximately 9 years old. She would do best in a home with no children or other cats. She loves attention. Her adoption fee is $40.
Meg
Meg’s family could no longer keep her. She is a quiet, shy girl, approximately 4 years old. She is easily handled, very sweet, and is talkative. Her adoption fee is $40.
Luna
Luna’s owner was moving and could not take her and her other house-cat Jade with her. Luna is approximately 2 years old and is friendly. She loves attention and although a little shy she warms up quickly and wants attention and petting. Her adoption fee is $40.
Sabrina
Sabrina’s owner passed away and she came to the shelter. Sabrina is approximately 4 years old. She is very shy but loves being brushed and petted. She is not used to being held. Her adoption fee is $40.
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.
Mandy 
Mandy is a sweet calm girl looking for her new loving home. If you are looking for a companion dog, here she is. She’s potty trained and so loveable. Her adoption fee is $75.
Steve
When you meet Steve he greets you with a high five! This 3-year-old doll is super sweet, funny, and playful. He gets along with other dogs and is super human-friendly. His adoption fee is $125.Sirius
Sirius
Sirius is a shiny black cat with green eyes, he looks like a miniature panther. This mischievous boy is 3 years old, funny, playful, and loving he is everything you could want in a cat. His adoption fee is $85.
Matilda
Matilda is a sweetheart. This young tabby will win your heart over with her quiet disposition and loving nature. She gets along well with other cats and will make a wonderful addition to a loving family. Her adoption fee is $85.
Harry
This 6-year-old boy is a volunteer favorite. They all love him. He is beautiful to look at, a calm guy, he lives with other cats and he’s simply adorable. He likes his alone time but never passes up the opportunity for loves and a good conversation. His adoption fee is $85.
