Kanab
started out as Fort Kanab in 1864 for defense against American Indians. Indian attacks forced it to be abandoned in
1866. In 1870 a group of Mormon
missionaries reoccupied it and founded the town of Kanab. Today it has a population of 3,564. It is located near Bryce Canyon and Zion
National Parks. However, we have already
visited Bryce and we will be visiting Zion later on in this trip. We
will be staying in Kanab for three nights.
Our
purpose for our stay in Kanab is to visit BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY. Best Friends was founded in 1984 by a group
of dedicated animal lovers who wanted to save them all. Today it is a national animal welfare
organization focused on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s
shelters. It is the largest no-kill
sanctuary for companion animals as well as lifesaving programs in partnership
with rescue groups and shelters across the country. It has helped reduce the number of animals
killed in shelters nationwide from 17 million per year to about four
million. Today their motto is “SAVE THEM
ALL”.
May 5 – 7: We are staying at Kanab RV Corral. This was not a comfortable RV park to
stay in. The owners checked you in. The husband was friendly enough, but the wife
was unfriendly and suspicious. Our site
was a weird shape. It was a long back-in
with a narrow empty space next to us.
And next to that empty space was two back-in sites that faced that
narrow space. We were told that if they
are out of room, they assigned a trailer there.
That would block everyone. Very
weird. That did not happen, but it made
for an uncomfortable stay. There was
also a lot of street noise. The RV park
was between a business street and a residential street. There was traffic all day and during the
night. We will not be staying here
again.
BEST FRIENDS
ANIMAL SANCTUARY
Best
Friends sits on 3 thousand acres of breathtaking landscapes in Angel
Canyon. It is home to around 1,700 animals;
cats, dogs, horses, pigs, birds, bunnies, and parrots. The animals receive love, attention, expert
medical care, training, and most important a second chance of finding their
forever home. Most of the animals are
rescued from hoarding situations, natural disasters and special situations. For instance they took about 15 of Michael
Vick’s fighting dogs. People with
unwanted pets are given advice on how to continue to keep their pets or they
are directed to Best Friends partnership shelters and rescue groups.
Visitor Center
We
visited the Sanctuary and did four of their tours. On the first day in the afternoon we did a
two hour tour of the whole sanctuary. We
visited Benton's House in Cat World. Saw a
puppy training session in Dog Town, and we drove through Angel Canyon viewing
the horse corrals, pig pens, bunny house and Parrot Garden. Drove by Angels Rest; a huge pet cemetery where
the sanctuary animals are buried as well as the public’s pets. Angel Canyon is beautiful with many red rock
formations.
The Kanab Movie Ranch was
located here before it became Best Friends.
Several movies and TV shows were filmed here; The Outlaw Josey Wales, The
Apple Dumpling Gang, Gunsmoke, The Lone Ranger (TV), Death Valley Days, Wagon
Train to name a few.
Scene in many movies h
h The building up on hill is the Café in Angel’s Village
3 sides of this corral are cliff walls.
hThis barn was in a Disney movie.
Probably the Apple Dumpling Gang.
Swayback horse
ANGEL'S REST is a fascinating and peaceful place to honor your deceased pets. Pet owners who visit their pets place
polished stones and other trinkets on their pet’s stone. I was told that one volunteer painted large
stones and placed one on every gravestone.
There are thousands of gravestones in this place. There are several chime trees throughout the cemetery. There is always a breeze coming through here
and as you walk around you hear the chimes play a magical and musical
tune. It is so peaceful. What a wonderful place.
A volunteer created this gate.
Chime trees h
This must have been from a mass rescue. h
h Katrina’s losses i
There are several of these stone walls for urns of ashes.
On
the second day we did a morning tour of DOG WORLD and we had time to tour the
PARROT GARDEN before we had lunch in the Café at Angel
Village.
The dog on the blue mat had no use in his back legs. A special made wheel chair had just arrived
for his use.
More than one dog share a space (if they get along). Those panels above are sound proof so the barking
cannot be heard outside. And above that
are windows to let in natural light.
Each room has an outside dog run.
We
learned a lot about parrots at the PARROT GARDEN. Many of the birds were rescued from owners
who had no idea about caring for these demanding and high energy animals. Some can live to over 50 years, so this is not
a novelty or fun pet to have. It is a
big responsibility. Often these poor
birds end up neglected and abused which cause these feathered friends many
behavioral problems.
We
ended the day with a nice $5 vegan buffet at Angel
Village. There is a fantastic view
of ANGEL CANYON from the café patio.
On
our last day we toured CAT WORLD HEADQUARTERS. This is the intake area for all cats. They stay here for a period of time to watch
for behavioral problems. Then they are
sent out to the other ‘house’ depending on their needs. If there are behavioral problems, they stay
at the headquarters and a specialist works with them. Some of the cats are allowed to roam free so
at times we had to step over them as we toured the building. We could pet them, but were not allowed to
pick them up.
Staff office. One of the cats
made herself at home here.
Cat rooms line this hallway.
Nala greeting us.
Kitchen
We
learned a lot about parrots at the PARROT GARDEN. Many of the birds were rescued from owners
who had no idea about caring for these demanding and high energy animals. Some can live to over 50 years, so this is not
a novelty or fun pet to have. It is a
big responsibility. Often these poor
birds end up neglected and abused which cause these feathered friends many
behavioral problems.
We
learned a lot about parrots at the PARROT GARDEN. Many of the birds were rescued from owners
who had no idea about caring for these demanding and high energy animals. Some can live to over 50 years, so this is not
a novelty or fun pet to have. It is a
big responsibility. Often these poor
birds end up neglected and abused which cause these feathered friends many
behavioral problems.
We
had visited BENTON'S HOUSE on our first day during the Sanctuary Tour. We had actually met, petted and played with
the real Benton on our first visit at Best Friends 20 years ago. Benton's House had existed then and was the
first octagon built at Best Friends.
Benton's House houses special needs cats.
This poor kitty was scared and very shy.
He did let me pet him.
Out
next destination is the GRAND CANYON!
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