A sanctuary is a place of refuge or asylum. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah is a place of refuge for homeless animals; it is also a relaxing and peaceful place for the humans (like me) who visit and volunteer here. Think of it as a refuge from the rat race of everyday work and life.
If you would like a holiday where you can give back and help homeless dogs and other animals, I hope you will think about Best Friends!
Firstly, I’d like to say that this will not be an x-rated post!
Timothy is my Sleepover Dog tonight from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Timothy was abandoned at the sanctuary, left to fend on his own on the property until someone found him. This is a risky strategy because the area is home to mountain lions, rattlesnakes and other deadly creatures.
Because of the nature of his surrender, there are no records on why he was abandoned. He’s a young boy of just over a year and he’s very sociable.
You may notice in these photos that Timothy is wearing a green collar. Green collars signify dogs that can be handled by adults and children who visit the sanctuary.
Timothy enjoyed riding in the car on the way home tonight. He also let me know that he prefers to sleep on the bed, not the blanket that accompanied him in his overnight pack.
I particularly find Timothy’s underbite appealing and so far, the only negative behaviours he’s shown is a liking for digging in the rubbish (a common characteristic of many dogs, which is very manageable) and a dislike for two people wearing large cowboy hats.
I’ll be submitting a full assessment form when I return Timothy to his kennel in the morning.
Timothy is a very trainable dog (he already knows sit) and would make someone a lovely pet.
Last month, a very special initiative was launched in Los Angeles – NKLA (No-Kill Los Angeles)
This initiative is another to help achieve the goal of the Best Friends Animal Society: No More Homeless Pets.
NKLA’s website says “We are a coalition of animal welfare organizations, city shelters and passionate individuals. Led by Best Friends Animal Society, we’re dedicated to ending the killing of healthy and treatable pets in L.A. shelters. Our plan is straightforward. Provide spay/neuter services where they are needed most so fewer animals go into shelters, and increase adoptions through the combined efforts of the NKLA coalition so more animals come out of the shelters and go into new homes.”
In 2011, over 17,000 adoptable animals were euthanised in the Los Angeles area – so the need is great.
If you live in the Los Angeles area and are an animal lover, perhaps you should consider assisting the NKLA movement by donating money, fostering, or adopting.
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