Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Hikers who were on the trip to Friends are, left to right: Arlene Gerety, Louise Powers, Gail Bergdahl, Joe Maurizzi, Kathy Johnston, Mary Hlusko, Sandy Rose, Joyce Maurizzi; photo by Dave Sorenson (not in picture).

Hikers who were on the trip to Friends are, left to right: Arlene Gerety, Louise Powers, Gail Bergdahl, Joe Maurizzi, Kathy Johnston, Mary Hlusko, Sandy Rose, Joyce Maurizzi; photo by Dave Sorenson (not in picture).

Dave Sorenson

As part of the April hiking club trip to Page, Arizona members of the SaddleBrooke Hiking Club visited the leading animal sanctuary in the United States in Kanab, Utah. The tour of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, which places some 8000 dogs and cats each year, was on April 19.

The facility has over 3000 acres that houses dogs, cats, pigs and horses. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located on an old 1950s western movie ranch just north of Kanab. Thousands of people a year visit the sanctuary which receives donations from all over the world. A decade ago the sanctuary took in the pit bulls that NFL Quarterback Michael Vick had owned. They successfully placed all but one pit bull that still lives at the sanctuary.

Friends Animal Sanctuary is a no-kill facility that houses over 1000 dogs and cats. Friends has cottages for those who would like to stay overnight.

The hikers had a vegetarian lunch in the sanctuary restaurant that overlooked the gorgeous Kanab Canyon.