Dogtown, Cat World, and Bunny House are located in the same general vicinity. Piggy Paradise, Horse Haven and Goat Barn are closer to the Visitor’s Center, although horses live in several areas. There are forty altogether. There’s also Angel’s Rest Pet Cemetery, a beautiful, peaceful place atop a hill with wind chimes, and Angel Village where a few administrative offices are located as well as a cafeteria. There are also lodgings for the fulltime staff, and some of the founders have houses on the grounds in various places. Nationwide, Best Friends has 700 employees.
We stayed in one of the comfortable cottages on the grounds with a kitchen, living room and separate bedroom offering a serene view of the horse pastures. We were cautioned to book many months in advance because of their popularity, which we did. A bus tour took us to Dogtown and Cat World where we interacted with some of the animal residents. In the afternoon we drove back to Dogtown and volunteered by taking three dogs for walks—two together, then one. They were all very sweet, if a bit shy. The dirt trails wandered between the trees, and one dog loved to chase after lizards, which was a problem since he was on a leash. We had a brief glimpse of their individual living spaces. Each large ‘dog house' connects to a large outdoor area where they can run around. Dogtown is comprised of several of these buildings. Dogtown Heights: A Gated Community is home to the puppies, a puppy pre-school where they learn the manners they need to know to become adopted, and the senior dogs' house. There’s also an animal hospital nearby.
A guided hike in the hills led to a waterfall. The guide’s grandfather once owned some of the property that Best Friends bought, and relatives still work for the organization. In the afternoon I volunteered at Cat World -- about a dozen bungalows that look like screened-in jungle gyms with ramps, cubby holes, blankets, baskets, perches, beds, toys, and plenty of food and water. Built in two sections—one indoors -- the cats can come and go between them at will. Each bungalow holds about 30 cats. I walked 3 adorable felines (separately) in a little closed-in buggy with a mesh covering so that they could see out. They’d sit up in the buggy and watch everything go by as I traversed the ‘Meowzers Meander’ trails. They all seemed to love the experience.After that I sat with the cats. They swarmed around me, and one immediately got in my lap. I spent a fair amount of time talking to them, giving them treats, brushing them, playing with them. If it weren't for my husband's allergies, I would've taken a few cats home right then and there. I'd also name the place Kitty City.
My husband volunteered at Wild Friends, where rescued birds and other wild animals are cared for. He changed the ducks’ pond water, and cleaned cages. Then we met one of the founders to talk about the sanctuary and its goals -- mainly to cut down the number of animals killed in shelters every year simply because the shelters haven’t got room for them, and instead promote spay/neuter programs and no-kill shelters. Best Friends Animal Society is in network with hundreds of shelters across the country, and their message is “Save Them All,” even those with special needs. Maybe especially those with special needs. After lunch we visited Bunny House, which is set up much like the other areas with nice indoor spaces for each rabbit that connects to an outdoor screened-in area.
We were so impressed with Best Friends, and heartily recommend a visit there. It is clean, organized, and a very well-run operation. It doesn’t cost much to stay in the cottages, and then you’re close to the action and the volunteer possibilities. A car is a must, though, because the property is so spread out. We're on a list for a hypoallergenic dog.
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