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.
Alice
Alice is a sweet, smart girl who loves to hang out with her people. She loves toys, especially squeaky balls, and Nylabones, and playing tug and fetch. She also enjoys going for walks and showing off on the agility course. On car rides, Alice prefers to ride in the passenger seat and paws at the driver for petting the entire time! She is very food motivated and relishes solving food puzzles and working on frozen Kongs. She would love to find a gentle person who will earn her trust and build her confidence. Alice can be picky with her dog friends and would need to meet any dogs before going home with them or be the only dog in her new home. Alice has come a long way from when she first arrived in Dogtown several years ago and was nervous about meeting new people. She now meets people with confidence, although she should meet everyone in the family before she goes home. Once Alice trusts a person she’s super snuggly and affectionate, and she has a generous sponsor who will pay her adoption fee.
Bunny
Bunny is a beautiful brindle girl with soulful eyes. At 8 years old, she is fairly active. Bunny loves to go on walks and outings. She is great on a leash! She loves to play with toys and is good with most dogs. Bunny is sensitive and needs someone who is patient and willing to earn her trust. She would make a great companion for someone with a reliable routine. Once she is comfortable with you, she gets very happy and excited to see you. She will even love getting pets! Since Bunny takes some time to make new friends, she does require adopters to come to the Sanctuary and meet her. Best Friends would love for this sweet senior dog to find her forever home. Go and meet this wonderful girl and fill out an application today.
We would love for this sweet senior dog to find her forever home. Come and meet this wonderful girl, we know you will fall in love! She even has a generous sponsor who has covered her adoption fee!
Akita
Akita is such a fun girl! She’s happy to greet you with a big smile on her face. Even though she’s technically a senior, she’s still quite active and enjoys long walks or hikes. She believes age is just a number, and you shouldn’t let it define you. Akita can be a bit wary of new people, so she does need to take some time to meet new friends. After a few walks with some tasty treats, she’ll be happy to welcome you into her friend group though! Although Akita does live as a single dog at the Sanctuary, she has the potential to make new dog friends. She’s just picky about her playmates. And cats are a definite no for this girl. Do you have room in your heart for a sweet, senior girl like Akita? If so, please reach out to learn more about Akita!
Teller
This sweet, big boy is an absolute doll. Friendly and mellow, he approaches anyone entering the room and is quick to claim any available lap. He likes to go for harness walks and stroller rides. He also enjoys chasing laser lights. Teller enjoys the company of most other cats and snuggles with his cat friends. Do you have room in your home for this cuddly cat?
Martin
This handsome senior came to Best Friends when his person lost his home to foreclosure in 2014. He can often be found snuggled up to his best friend, Carlson, who also came from that home. Martin is initially timid around people. However, once you’ve earned his trust, there’s no limit to how much time he’ll spend on your lap. Born in 2008, he has a heart murmur but is not on any medication and he’s doing very well. If you have the patience to gain his trust, you will adore this sweet boy and the love he has to give. Can you give Martin the forever home he deserves?
Carlson
This handsome senior came to Best Friends in 2014 when his person’s house was lost to foreclosure. Carlson can often be found snuggled up with his best friend, Martin, who also came from that home and who makes him feel safe. Born in 2007, Carlson is looking for someone with quiet patience and loving attention to teach him to trust again. Are you that person?
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.
Balto
Balto is a one-year-old husky who loves to run and play. He is great with other dogs, big and small, and is great with cats and the two-legged children as well. He loves belly rubs and being brushed. He’s still young, so he naively thinks everyone wants to be his friend. With that, he will need some work on learning boundaries and social cues, but he is very smart, so it won’t take him long to pick it up. He does great on the leash and off-leash on walks, hikes, and biking. He also loves to run. He’s potty trained with a dog door. He’s curious about nearly everything and would love an active family and one that wants to teach him new things.
Sage
Sage is a shepherd mix about a year and a half to two years old. Sage is the most loving, sweetest girl. She takes her time to trust but, once she does, she’s the best! She is able to jump fences, so she really needs a secure yard or a plan to keep her in safe when her owners are away. She is a great loving dog, who bonds quickly to her people, and is loyal to a fault. She LOVES water, and hiking, and being able to run. She would make a good hiking, running, or even biking buddy!
Nike
Nike is a 1 ½-year-old Basenji mix, we think, due to her looks and lack of barking. She came to us with her two babies, Crash and Crush. She loves to play with them and run around. She’s not much of a cuddler, but she appreciates pets and likes attention. She would be good in a home with other dogs, children, or alone.
Sweet Pea
Adorable Sweet Pea certainly lives up to her name and is such a sweet girl. She has been with us for over 650 days and we want to find her a home for the holidays! Adopt Sweet Pea this month and she’ll bring a holiday package with her to put under the tree!🎄🎁 She would love to find a home with another cat to help her feel confident. She can be a shy girl but really loves one-on-one time with her people once she gets comfortable.
Carlos
Carlos would absolutely love a quiet calm home that would allow him to come out of his shell a bit! He is shy upon first meeting him, but once he knows you, he loves you! He is house-trained and would be good in a home with other cats or alone.
Harper
Harper is about two years old and such an adorable little girl! She’s affectionate and has stunning markings. She deserves the luxury of a safe and loving home. She will brighten your life up. Harper is house-trained and would be good in a home with other cats or alone.
Providing Animals With Support (PAWS)
PAWS Adoption Center is now closed again until further notice. We will be showing and adopting animals by appointment only to pre-approved adopters. Please submit adoption applications to dixiepaws.org/adopt and we will arrange an appointment for approved adopters to meet 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.
Rue
Rue is a 3 ½-year-old Doberman. She will make a great addition to the family looking for a well-mannered companion. She’s playful, gets along with kids and other dogs. She prefers no cats in the home as she can’t resist a good game of chase. She is vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed, and scheduled for spay. Submit an adoption application at dixiepaws.org/adopt to be approved to meet this great dog.
Clara
Clara is a 6-month-old Black Lab. This girl has the spunk and personality you want in a puppy. She is eager to learn and please. She is vaccinated, microchipped, and scheduled for spay. Submit an adoption application at dixiepaws.org/adopt to be approved to meet her.
Sheba
Sheba is a 1 1/2-year-old Black Mouth Cur. She is 90 pounds of love and energy. She loves to run and play in the PAWS parking lot so she needs a big yard. Sheba thinks she is a lap dog and loves her humans. Submit an application and be approved to meet her by appointment. Her adoption fee is $125.
Bean
Bean is a 2-year-old gray and white female. She gets along with other cats and is playful. She lived in a home with a male cat before she came to PAWS. She is a beautiful girl with green eyes. Submit an adoption application at dixiepaws.org/adopt and be approved to meet her! Her adoption fee is $75.
Dunes
Dunes is a 13-year-old cat. He is very sweet and gets along with other cats. He would like a sunny window and a soft bed to nap in. Dunes will be a great companion for some lucky person. Submit an adoption application at dixiepaws.org/adopt and be approved to meet this beautiful well-mannered boy. His adoption fee is $50.
Louie
Louie is our dancing cat. He is very playful and will make a wonderful pet for someone. He’s about 1 1/2 years old and he’s so friendly. He loves to be on the catio in the sun and gets along with other cats at PAWS. Submit an adoption application at dixiepaws.org/adopt to be approved to meet him. His adoption fee is $75.
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.
Spot
Sweet little Spot is a 4-5-year-old Jack Russell Terrier blend (although we think we can see some Chihuahua in him) who would give just about anything for a full-time lap to sit on… although a chair with or without a person on it will suffice.
Spot is neutered, housebroken, and knows how to use a doggy door. He’s a bit on the chunky side and is already on the road to his ideal weight using food management and daily walks which also help his confidence. Spot is cautious but is gaining self-assurance every day with the love of his foster and walking with his foster pack.
To arrange a meeting with Spot to see if your lap qualifies, call or text Julie Tuesday through Saturday between 9 am–5 pm at 435-773-5209.
Teton (aka Teeter)
Teton is a wonderful little dog who suffered a torn CCL (Cranial cruciate ligament]. He’s currently in foster care awaiting his surgical consult after which he will have surgery to repair the ligament. He does have a slight limp at this time. After surgery, he may not be able to hike for miles but he’ll be able and willing to go on long walks and short hikes.
Teton gets along with all the dogs in his foster home although he is a little afraid of the largest dog. He wants to play with the others but his injury, until repaired, requires him to get lots of rest and not stress his ligament too much so he’s curtailed from getting as playful as he would like. He’s happy to couch sit with you and watch TV, will lie under your desk if you’re working, and is generally a joyful, happy little dog.
Teton spooks at noises and straps … anything that gives the appearance he might be hit with it. He is recovering well but we don’t recommend homes with small children. Older respectful children should be fine with him. He enjoys a ball and some stuffed toys and does well in the car and would do well on a walk although he tends to pull a bit in the first few minutes. Once his leg is healed, dog parks should be fine.
He’s housebroken with supervision. We don’t know how he would be if left alone for 8 hours but will ask to go out by moving around, whining, or looking anxious. He does not know the doggy door and we haven’t taught it as, due to his physical limitations right now, he shouldn’t be outside unsupervised.
Teton has demonstrated he can be protective of his owner so should be introduced slowly and with supervision to others who enter his space. He would do well in an apartment or a house or even an RV. He does bark but quiets immediately when told “enough”. Teton would be good for first-time pet owners and experienced owners. Aside from his little protective nature, which can easily be worked with, he’s adorable and, for you HOA people, just the right size.
Teton can be placed at this time in a foster-to-adopt home with the adoption finalizing after he is released medically. Foster to adopt parents must be willing to follow medical guidance and see that he makes it to his medical appointments. To meet Teton contact J@BAMUtah.com.
Barry
Barry is not a lap dog (unless he decides he wants to be). Instead, he is a grumpy boy who came to us with a broken pelvis which still causes him pain. In the year he’s been with us, Barry also suffered seizures and kidney stones. He’s on a special diet and medication for all of these things, but he’s still a grump. And we all still love him!
Since being in our care, the poor guy has had to deal with puppies and big dogs who don’t understand why he doesn’t want to roughhouse. He does get along with dogs who aren’t in his face and likes to fetch a ball as long as you don’t try to take it back from him (Barry’s rules).
Ornery as he is, Barry is kind of our mascot and we want the old guy to catch a break and live out the remainder of his life with someone he can find solace in.
Barry loves to rub his back on the floor and wiggle and loves to have belly rubs by a person of his choosing. He enjoys certain members of our team while others simply aren’t his cup of tea
To find out more about Barry, meet him and see if he’s a match for you, text, or call Julie at (435) 773-5209.
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.
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.
