The Independent Southern Utah Adoptable Pets Guide features adoptable pets from various animal shelters throughout southern Utah. Get a new pet today!
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.
Saphira
Saphira is approximately 3 years old and is a pitbull. She was turned in to a shelter to be euthanized after being bred too much. She was 20 pounds underweight when PAWS rescued her and she was afraid of everything. Saphira has gained the weight she needed and is very outgoing now. She loves to go for hikes and play in the water. She loves people and children but would probably be best as the only pet in a home. She has been at PAWS for quite a while and is starting to show signs of depression. Her adoption fee is $125.
Independence
Independence (Indie) is approximately 2 years old and is a male Lab mix. He was found as a stray and came to PAWS in July. Indie loves hiking, water, kids, and people in general. He has been neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated and is ready to find his forever family. Don’t wait too long, Labs don’t stay long in shelters. His adoption fee is $125.
Lindsay
Lindsay is a 10-year-old DSH black and white cat. She is very sweet and gets along with most other cats. Lindsay has had all of her teeth removed. But don’t worry, it doesn’t keep her from eating dry food. She has a good appetite. She came to PAWS from a shelter in January of this year and is often overlooked because she is so mellow. Lindsay likes to lay around, receive attention and eat. What a great companion she will be for some lucky person. She is litterbox trained. Her adoption fee is $50.
Gidget
Gidget is a 9-year-old DSH American bobtail. She is a very nice cat and gets along with other cats at PAWS. She is a little bit shy with new people but will warm up to you. Gidget was adopted for a few months, but one of her owners ended up being allergic, so they had to return her. She is pretty low energy and will make a great companion. She is litterbox trained. Her adoption fee is $50.
Dirk
Dirk is approximately 2 years old and is a DSH tabby and white cat. He is very friendly and playful, and he loves cat toys. Dirk has been at PAWS since February of this year. He was in a hoarding situation, so he’s used to being with other cats. Dirk gets along with older children, men, and women. Come into PAWS and meet this sweetheart. Dirk is litterbox trained. His adoption fee is $65.
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter is located at 795 Hardy Way and is open for adoptions from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sundays. 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.
Eve
Eve’s owner could no longer keep her. She is a tiny little dog with a very expressive face and outgoing personality. She loves people and wants to be with you all the time. She needs basic training including learning to feel comfortable walking on a leash. Eve needs to have an exercise and diet routine. She would love another dog in the home to play with. Eve’s adoption fee is $60.
Luna
Luna’s owner was moving and could not take their 2 dogs. Luna is approximately 2 years old. She is spayed, current on vaccinations, house trained and lived with another dog and 2 cats. She is used to living inside the home but also had a large yard to exercise and play in before returning to the air-conditioned home. Luna was very well cared for. She is friendly and listens well. Luna’s adoption fee is $60.
Rosco
Rosco’s owner was moving and could not take their two dogs. Roscoe is approximately six months old. He is house trained and lived with another dog and two cats. He is used to living inside the home but also had a large yard to exercise and play in before returning to the air-conditioned home. Rosco was very well cared for. He is friendly and listens well. He is a very happy boy, and his stubby tail never stops wagging.
Rosa
Rosa’s owner could no longer keep her. She is less than a year old. Rosa is very friendly and loves people. She will come when called. Rosa’s owner had her trained to a harness so she could be on the patio when she was outside. She has beautiful coloration and unusual facial markings with striking blue eyes. Rosa’s adoption fee is $40.
Joey
Joey’s owner could no longer keep him. He is less than a year old. Joey is very friendly and loves people. Joey will come when called. Joey’s owner had him trained to a harness so he could be on the patio when she was outside. Joey has a shiny black coat, a white spot on his front leg, and huge golden eyes. He is quite stunning. Joey’s adoption fee is $40.
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.
Arroyo
Arroyo was found badly injured in a community not far from the sanctuary. Since his rescue, his injuries have healed beautifully. Although he can be shy and fearful with strangers at first (especially with men), he warms up quickly with treats. Once he’s comfortable with you, he’s a very goofy dog who loves to cuddle and climb in your lap. Arroyo was born in 2014. When it comes to doggie friends, he prefers females. At the sanctuary, he is learning training cues like “sit,” “down,” “stay,” “touch” and “go to your place.” He’s also learning to walk on a loose leash, and he enjoys going for long walks so much that he would be an amazing hiker. Arroyo really loves to be with his people and will make someone a wonderful companion.
Peter
Peter is a big, goofy dog looking for a person or a family who’ll spend some quality time with him. He loves to do training and really enjoys doing activities where he can use his mind. Peter is perfect on a leash and loves walking with people. He also enjoys car rides and playing with toys. He’s been good with all the dogs he’s met at the sanctuary, and he likes to roll around and wrestle with them. Born in 2015, Peter is an active dog, but he doesn’t have to be doing something constantly. He’s a sunbather who really likes being outside and lounging around with people. Peter does have anxiety, especially when he is left alone. He can climb a six-foot fence and trees to escape a yard or enclosure. He lost his previous home because he kept escaping and wandering around the neighborhood. He’ll need to find a home where he can be kept safe and secure at all times.
Stetson
Stetson was found as a stray with multiple gunshot wounds, and had surgery at Best Friends to help him heal. He has recovered well but still has damage to the inside of his mouth, including missing teeth. Despite what he went through, you couldn’t find a more loving dog. He is a sweet friend to every person he meets. Born in 2015, Stetson enjoys long hikes but also settles into a wonderful couch potato. He does not do well with other dogs and should be an only dog in a home. Stetson also needs to be kept safe and secure, as he will jump fences if left alone. He can be reactive on a leash occasionally, but he listens well and will shift his focus when asked. He’s doing lots of training at the sanctuary to improve his leash skills and to get ready for a loving new home.
Maya
Meet one of the legendary “rafter cats” at Best Friends! Cats like these make wonderful companions-from-afar. You can’t hold them or pet them — at least not yet. But they think and feel and love, just like the rest of us. And if you give them the chance, they can be a real part of your home. They just haven’t had any experience being pets. Maya came to Best Friends from a Nevada rescue group. Born in the spring of 2016, she’s in good health, and she gets along well with other cats. Shy cats like these have always been an important part of Best Friends’ culture. They have special spirits and deep personalities. And this beautiful cat would love to be a part of your life.
Crush
Crush is a tiny bit shy at first, but he warms up very quickly, and he’ll purr while you pet him. He gets along well with other cats. Born in 2015, he came from a crowded Utah shelter. Crush is in good health. He has a winning personality. Crush is a handsome boy with a sweet demeanor. He deserves to have a forever home.
Because Animals Matter (BAM)
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.
Rusty
Rusty is a wonderful, sweet bird full of personality! While she is very quiet for her species, she gets very animated at times and acts like she’s telling you a magnificent story! Her crest is a beautiful salmon color, and her body is a pale pink with a slight yellow under her wings and tail. Rusty doesn’t have the best eyesight, so avoid frightening her by making slow movements. Her toes are out-turned, impairing her ability to perch. You’ll see her walk and climb very cautiously, but given patience, she gets around just fine. When held, Rusty prefers to be close to your body as she feels unsteady otherwise. Her cage has been modified to accommodate her mild handicaps. Rusty loves to look out the window and have a constant temperature of 75 to 80F. She doesn’t like to be covered and needs about 12 hours of sleep. Rusty would do best with two cages: one for nighttime in a quiet place and one where she can keep an eye on her family during the day. She warms up slowly to new people but becomes quite personable when people let her take her time. Rusty would do best in a home without children as she was owned by a single older woman for all of her life until she became a BAM foster, and she doesn’t care for a lot of “bustle” or noise. She would do best with someone who is very experienced with cockatoos and very patient. Rusty has been well loved and has not even attempted to bite anyone in her foster home. She will make the right person a wonderful long-term companion. Rusty is already 30 years old and will probably live at least another 40 years or more. Please keep Rusty’s lifespan and the required commitment to her in mind when considering adoption. Rusty’s adoption fee is $1,000. To find out more about Rusty and to arrange a meeting, contact Saranda at (435) 467-9556.
Lincoln
Lincoln is a happy, engaged boy believed to be a Great Dane/pit bull blend weighing about 60 lbs. and approximately 2 years old. Lincoln was adopted as a puppy and enjoyed a wonderful life with his buddy, Tonka. However, when Tonka unexpectedly and rapidly died of cancer, Lincoln was lonely, and his mom was not ready to adopt a friend for Lincoln. So now Lincoln is available for his new forever home! He’s great with people and loves other dogs, but since he’s a bit rambunctious, he would do best with older children. He is very playful and food-motivated to continue his training (although he already knows how to sit) and enjoys his walks. He would do best in a home with another dog, preferably a large one since he doesn’t handle being alone well. To see Lincoln, call Aggie at (435) 773-1667 at or Sue at (801) 554-3378. Lincoln’s adoption fee is $125.
Walt
Walt is an older gentleman approximately 10–12 years old with a gentle soul. He is a shepherd mix who wants nothing more than to go on a walk with you and then lay down at your feet the rest of the day. Walt is house trained and well behaved. He’s somewhat selective about his dog friends but loves his humans. Older children would be best for Walt. He would be a great pet for an older couple. Although he is crate trained, he prefers to live in close proximity with his humans. To meet Walt, call Aggie at (435) 773-1667 or Sue at (801) 554-3378. Walt’s adoption fee is $100.
Petunia
Petunia was adopted, but a new baby in the house caused her to come back to us, and she is once again looking for her forever home. Petunia is very loving with humans and even somewhat protective but selective about her dog friends and would do best as an only dog. She is an energetic pup who loves her walks and hikes. She appears to be house-trained but will need supervision, at least at first, and may be a candidate for crate training if alone for long periods or if no yard or doggy door is available. Petunia needs a foster home without other animals. Petunia is good with people but can be aggressive with other dogs. To meet Petunia, call Aggie (435) 773-1667 at or Sue at (801) 554-3378. Her adoption fee is $125.
