Jonathan Schultz, our Director of Business Development, went out to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah just before Christmas to meet with Embrace's new alliance partners. He writes about his visit in his first guest post.
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I had the privilege of visiting the Best Friends Animal Society sanctuary for several days last month, and I must say, I was amazed at what they have done. I had read their book, and had seen some pictures, but didn’t really have a great grasp of life at the sanctuary until I got there. It is set in the spectacular canyon country in Southern UT, near Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand 
Canyon. The views of the mesas and desert from the sanctuary are beautiful, and the employees and pets are outside to enjoy the scenery everyday.
This is not like other animal adoption facilities I have ever seen, due to the fact that they reside in a very remote part of the country. They can stretch out and have built incredibly progressive housing for the pets. The octagons for the dogs and the housing for the cats are incredibly clean, full of light and have access to fresh air at the animals desire.
The cats are typically allowed to roam in the cat houses, and have screened in playgrounds that have been built by the 
staff for the cats. Some play, some lounge, but all are comfortable. The dogs are in octagon shaped facilities, with five areas that each house 3-5 dogs. Each of the pods for the dogs have a run (yard) that is accessible through a door and the dogs love to go outside and play.
These octagons are scattered throughout “DogTown” and “DogTown Heights” and for the cats there are several adoption houses throughout “Cat World”. Other animals are certainly not forgotten with areas such as “Horse Haven”, “Parrot Landing” and the “Bunny House”. There is also a clinic for any animals that are sick, 
become sick, or for people who live in the surrounding areas. At lunch, the staff and volunteers have a vegetarian buffet that is available everyday, and it gives the staff time to chat about the happenings in other areas of the sanctuary.
Best Friends loves visitors and I can see why. This is a very special place for so many animals and people who have entrusted Best Friends to take care of their animals, and they love to show that off. If you are in this part of the country, definitely stop by and go on a tour. They are scheduled regularly and you can see the beauty of Best 
Friends for yourself. And if you are so inclined, sign up to volunteer for the day, or even a week for vacation.
We are very excited to have an alliance with Best Friends and look forward to helping the animals at the sanctuary and also the many animals in their network of pet parents.
Jonathan is shown with Danielle Aymar (Adoptions Manager), Vicki Kilmer-Rinker (Cause Marketing Manager) and Peggy Clark (Best Friends clinic associate)
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