Southern Utah Adoptable Pets Guide
The Independent’s, 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.
Tonya
If you ever wanted your very own polar bear, Tonya is the perfect dog for you! With her off white coat, large size, and short tail she is a true polar bear look-a-like. Tonya has a heart for adventure and exploring. She loves hiking and anything involving water. When at home Tonya truly enjoys being around people and cuddling. She’ll happily share her bed and blankets for mid-day nap whenever you want. Tonya enjoys making new friends, both human and canine. She enjoys walks, hikes, and playdates with her doggie friends. Tonya loves to learn to do new things and is an expert at solving food puzzles and giving five. She is a sleepover favorite at the sanctuary and does well in a home environment; she even works 2 days a week as an office dog in Best Friends accounting department! If you are looking for a new four-legged best friend who will happily accompany you anywhere, Tonya is the dog for you.
Gorgeous George
Gorgeous George dreams of toys. When he is awake there is nothing he wants to do more than to chase down a frisbee or play fetch with a ball. He is famous for turning everything in the world around him into a toy whether it’s a stick or a rock. He loves the water and one of his favorite things is to dive to the bottom of a pool or a creek and fish out a rock to play with. He is a mature dog who never stopped being a puppy but is old enough to appreciate his downtime as well. He is full of life with a big personality and lights up when he sees people he knows, his little stubby tail wagging a mile a minute. His love of toys can lead to some guarding issues, but he will happily trade for a new one and it can be easily managed. He has learned to appreciate the simple things in life and walks like a perfect gentleman on leash. He is looking for a home with someone who knows how to have fun but also wants an older dog who is also happy to entertain himself. Gorgeous George is definitely one of a kind and just wants a chance to share his big, silly personality with someone special.
Ron Swanson
Ron is an adorable, scruffy guy. Here at the Sanctuary, he gets very excited to go on walks and to the dog park. His most favorite place to go is to Tara’s Run, where agility is held. Although he has not officially done the agility course, he does love to jump up on all of the equipment. Ron is a shy dog, so this is a huge accomplishment for him! Ron lives with his best girl, Pancake. He follows her around all day. Best Friends believe Ron would benefit greatly from having another dog in the home. A dog that could help him feel more comfortable and show him the ropes. Once Ron is comfortable with you, he will approach and take treats. He has even started sitting for his treats now! Come and meet this wonderful boy today.
Trulie
Trulie will often be the first to greet you when you walk into her room. She is easily approached and handled and enjoys it when you get out toys and play with her. If the other cats are playing with toys, she will join in but has a tendency to hiss if they invade her space. Born in 2006, Trulie was abandoned. She’s a nice girl in good health who would love another chance at a forever home. Can you give Trulie the loving home she deserves?
Aladdin
Aladdin is very shy with people, but he will occasionally let you pet him. He’s otherwise calm and happy and enjoys the company of other cats. He seems curious when other cats are being petted, and is coming around to people slowly. He’ll sometimes join in playing with a fishing pole toy, and he likes treats. Aladdin was born around 2015 and was abandoned. He is looking for a person who has the patience to let him blossom into the adorable, joyful cat he truly is.
Schmoolie
Schmoolie is a confident young man who loves attention. He follows you around and always wants to be a part of what you’re doing. While he can get a little too excited with so many other cats around, he comes back around quickly. This sweet boy just wants a person of his own. He can’t wait to meet you!
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. Note: With respect to the unprecedented situation around COVID-19, any interested adopters can complete an online application and will be contacted by the team.
Yankee
Yankee is a male, Australian Cattle Dog/Heeler mix puppy. He is approximately 3 months old and looking for his forever home. He is full of energy and will need a family that can keep up. He would be good in a home with other dogs, children, or alone.
Sierra
Sierra is a female, Australian Cattle Dog/Heeler mix puppy. She is approximately 3 months old and looking for her forever home. She is full of energy and will need a family that can keep up. She would be good in a home with other dogs, children, or alone.
Kiko
Kiko is a 3-4-month-old heeler mix. Her foster mom says: She is a big cuddly fluff ball who loves to play and run. She is definitely a Velcro dog who will pick her favorite person and follow them everywhere. She is a GOOD sleeper. She sleeps most of the night and will loudly let you know when she needs to potty. She likes outdoor time but she likes people time more. She needs someone who can spend time training her as she is very intelligent. She does really good with other dogs and just wants them all to love her. She is great with children and has no food/animal/child aggression whatsoever. She is a big ball of fluffy love. She is working on her potty training and her new owners would need to continue that training.
Ribbit
Ribbit just arrived and needs a loving home. He is a good-natured kitten and is looking forward to finding a forever owner. He longs to run and play with toys and lounge in the sunlight planning his next adventure. Ribbit is house-trained and would be good in a home with other cats or alone.
Cheese
Cheese is a beautiful flame point Siamese kitten who needs a loving home for him and Mac. These two were just rescued and have grown up together. They are playful and love being cuddled. They would make a wonderful addition to your home. Both are house-trained and need to be together.
Mac
Mac is a gorgeous kitten. He has a delightfully playful personality and is quite the snuggle bug. There’s one thing that goes with Mac – and that’s Cheese. These two grew up together and would make a wonderful addition to your home. Both are house-trained and need to be together.
Providing Animals With Support (PAWS)
PAWS Adoption Center will now be open from 12-3 Tuesday-Saturday. PAWS still require social distancing and visitors to wear masks. Please submit adoption applications to dixiepaws.org/adopt and we will arrange an appointment for approved adopters to meet in with proper social distancing and in a sanitized environment. All pets are microchipped, spayed or neutered, and current on vaccinations. Below are the pets currently available for adoption from the shelter.
Dwight
Dwight is an 11-week old Black Mouth Cur. He came from southeast Texas. PAWS will neuter him when he is old enough but he is available to go home now. He is playful, sweet, and loving. Get into PAWS and see how wonderful Dwight is. His adoption fee is $200.
Lolly
Lolly is a female Shepherd mix and is 14 weeks old. She is one of the puppies from Texas. She will be spayed when she is old enough but is available to go home now. She is playful, sweet, and loving. Her adoption fee is $200.
Elton
Elton is a 12-week old Retriever mix. He is also one of the puppies from southeast Texas. PAWS will neuter him when he is old enough but he is available for adoption now. He is playful, sweet, and loving. His adoption fee is $200.
Kabuki
Kabuki is a 5 ½-month-old orange and white kitten. He is so sweet, loving, and playful. He is another one of the kittens that came from Texas. He is social and gets along with other cats. Kabuki is litter box trained. His adoption fee is $85.
Russell
Russell is one of the sweetest, most loving cats you’ll ever meet. He is a 6-month-old orange Tabby and came from Texas. He’s playful and is always up for pets and loves. He is litter box trained and gets along with other cats. His adoption fee is $85.
Mit
Mit is 5 ½ months old. He is sweet, social, and playful. He is one of the kittens that came from Texas. He’s a fun guy who also loves pets. He is litter box trained and gets along with other cats. Dwight is going to make a wonderful addition to his furever home! His adoption fee is $85.
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter
Mesquite Animal Shelter is currently closed to the public. Please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. Mesquite Animal Shelter Petfinder or Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information at Mesquite Animal Control. All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1-year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximate.
Zorro
Zorro is approximately 6 years old. He spent most of his life in a back yard. Zorro knows sit, shake, wait, and does well on a leash. He is very easy to handle and loves being with people. Zorro is going to make a wonderful addition to his furever home! His adoption fee is $60.
Jinx
Jinx is very inquisitive and loves people. She needs a home without other cats, dogs, or small children. She plays with toys and will come to you for attention. She is a pretty little lady. Get into the shelter and meet Jinx. She is ready to go to her furever home! Her adoption fee is $40.
Black Jack
Black Jack is a very handsome boy who is anxious to find his forever home. He has had a lot of recent changes in his life and is feeling pretty insecure. He will benefit from a quiet environment where he can adjust slowly with some love and encouragement. Black Jack is full of affection and truly appreciates cuddle time and being brushed. His adoption fee is $40.
Rajah
Rajah is only 6 months old and has had a rough start. Due to an accident he needed to have part of his tail removed. He is doing well from the surgery and vowing that everything will be wonderful in his life especially when he finds a new home and family. His adoption fee is $40.
Mittens
Mittens is so shy, but you can see it in her eyes that she wishes it weren’t so! Her gaze is always asking a question and she never stops trying to speak with her eyes. You can just tell that there is something she wants to ask or say to you. All she needs is somebody willing to give a shy girl a brand new start. 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.
Ace
Ace is a happy, big old pup who has no idea he’s ever been injured, has recently had major surgery, and definitely doesn’t’ know that he’s supposed to have been calm and quiet while recuperating. His vet is amazed at just how well he has done so quickly! Ace has a lot of energy and will need an active home. He would love to have a nice big yard to play in, along with regular and increasing exercise to strengthen his leg. In a few months, he’ll likely want to go on hikes and long walks. In the meantime, he loves affection and he loves to play! If he has toys and balls, he can entertain himself for long periods of time. He’d love you to throw the ball, but if you’re not available, he’s perfectly capable of throwing it for himself!! He needs to learn some manners but he is a bright boy and will learn quickly. He does tend to be toy possessive so some supervision will be needed with his doggy playmates. Ace is fully vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, and ready to go to his forever home today!!! He will need an adopter with patience and one who is willing to care for him if his leg causes him issues in the future.
To find out more about Ace, meet him and see if he’s a match for you, text, or call Julie at (435) 773-5209.
Celeste
Celeste is a stunning nine-month-old girl. She’s very shy at first but warms up pretty quickly, especially if you have a tennis ball in your hand. Once she makes friends, she’s a total sweetheart! She doesn’t always instantly click with other dogs so she should be properly introduced to any potential playmate. She’s also house trained, knows basic commands, and is an excellent fetcher!
To find out more about Celeste, meet her and see if she’s a match for you, text, or call Julie at (435) 773-5209.
Peanut
Peanut is a tiny ball of happy energy! He is about 2 years old and has been living outside most of his short life. He apparently was an escape artist and injured himself going under a fence (the apparent cause of no hair along his spine) so was subsequently tethered. These restrictions/events, however, have not affected him in the slightest. He is loving and playful (with or without a person or another dog…he entertains himself nicely with whatever toy he can find) and is on the move pretty much all the time. Peanut has assimilated well with his foster mama’s pack of littles and enjoys morning walks. He is housebroken (uses the doggie door well) and is a good, not picky eater. He’s better than television and a total lovebug!
To find out more about Peanut and to see if he can be a part of your family, text, or call Phyllis at (435) 705-9227 to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet.
Kasey
Kasey is a sweet senior, 11 to 13 years old, who acts like she’s still a young pup. She is good with other dogs and cats, enjoys snuggles on the couch and sleeping on the bed, is house trained with a doggie door, and has the softest fur! She loves, loves, loves to chase a ball and will let you know when she thinks it’s time to play. She also loves a good game of tug-of-war and will pull a fluffy toy from her toy box, remove the stuffing and bring it to you to pull on. Kasey is very smart and will converse with you, uttering short barks and whines but will stop and lay down when petted and told “enough” or “off”. She will also let you know when someone is at the door by barking and wagging her tail. Watch her though, because she can be an escape artist. Whether biting the stream from the garden hose or lying in the Virgin River, Kasey loves water as much as riding in the car with her head out the window, ears flopping in the wind. She savors a good treat just like any girl. Her foster gives her chicken, beef, pork, and apples on their morning walks, and then she’ll come home to beg a biscuit from his wife. They do have to be sure to keep them away from the edge of the counter, however, because they have been known to disappear.
Kasey is ready to give and receive love and play with her new family. To meet her, contact David or Sharon at (435) 862-2207.
Piper
Piper is a sweet senior girl who just wants to relax and be pampered. She is on medication for a previously untreated condition called Collie Nose and needs to be guarded against too much sun. She loves gentle kids and gets along with gentle dogs. She’s a lover girl that just needs someone to love her back.
To find out more about Piper, meet her and see if she’s a match for you, text, or call Julie at (435) 773-5209.
Veg
Veg, named for his love of vegetables, is said to be an absolute gem of a dog by his foster mom. He came to BAM from Needles, California where he had been languishing in a shelter for six months. One positive from his time there: in addition to their absolute love of him, a trainer worked with him regularly and it absolutely shows. Not only is Veg a handsome, golden-eyed beauty, he is also a very obedient and social young boy. He knows sit, down, kiss, and can shake with both paws. He loves the water and does very well with other dogs. His temperament with cats is unknown. He sleeps well in a crate at night and is a very well behaved house dog. Veg will make an excellent companion for hiking and exploring as he is active, athletic, and walks well on a leash. When he and his foster sister recently made a brief escape from home (he’s still got a little work to do with door bolting) they were both stopped dead in their tracks by the neighborhood Chihuahua. His foster mom called and they both came running so he also learned good recall. He reacts very positively to correction and is more of a follower than a leader with his dog friends. Veg is estimated to be less than 2 years of age, weighs about 60 lbs, has all of his vaccinations, is micro-chipped, and will be neutered before his adoption is completed. He is available to go locally to a foster to adopt home now with the adoption finalized when he is neutered.
To find out more about Veg, meet him and see if he’s a match for you, text, or call Julie at (435) 773-5209.
