Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

[itself]

Well, we just returned from a long weekend at Best Friends, I believe it is the largest animal sanctuary in the US. There are 1600 animal on the grounds. We volunteered all weekend, with the cats, bunnies and dogs. We stayed in one of the cabins on the grounds, and I have to say, it was a life changing experiences.

We met two particular cats that touched our hearts. Smokey, a 3 year old female Russian Blue cat, whose rectum was destroyed by someone who stuck a firecracker up her bum. Thumper, a paralyzed black cat, from a dog attack.

We were the first ever to do a cat outing up to Angle's landing with a paralyzed cat. Smokey, who is harness leash trained, had a marvelous time running around the area of grass. We spent much of our time at the Cat Motel, where many cats are housed who will probably not be adopted.

There are over 600 cat and 600 dogs there. Horses, pigs, bunnies. The sanctuary covers acres, and if you have not visited the Angel's Rest Cemetery, even the toughest of you will cry. Chimes hanging and ringing everywhere....

Tell your friends about Best Friends. I am amazed how many do not know about it. Donate your time, and even money. It's an incredible place.

And for those of you that know Michael Vick, the football player, his dogs ended up here. Georgia, whom we did not meet this time around, a female pitbull whose teeth were removed by some veterinarian. She was tied to a chair, and forcibly raped by the male pitbulls. She is incredibly friendly from what others told us.

Check their website out at www.bestfriends.org

[badger]

oh, I am SOOO jealous!!

I've been watching Dog Town, and it never ceases to amaze me just how wonderful that organization is, and if I ever win boatloads of money in a lottery, I would create a sanctuary like that up here in Canada.

If I lived closer to Utah, I seriously would try to get a job there or at the very least do what you did and have volunteer trips.

I'm glad you had such a great experience there, and thanks for sharing your story!

[Zen]

I do know about that place. I'm pretty sure I couldn't bear a visit. I can't even visit the animal control adoption center

[lunacycles]

I worked for a local sanctuary whose director annually for a few years would go to Best Friends and spend a week volunteering and learning. She went at the time the Vick dogs were brought there, and was really blown away at how damaged they were, that this was the only facility capable of taking them on and providing quality of life to them who, as you noted, have been unimaginably abused. Animal cruelty is so hard to bear, and such a lesson for us. I adore Best Friends. And all people who do this kind of work in their own little ways. That is so great you got to visit.

Zen, the beauty of Best Friends (I think) is that even though the past was not ideal, they are animals who are being treated well and with love/respect now, and thus you see how resilient the dog (or cat, human, or any) spirit is in the right conditions. It's not depressing; it's inspiring.

[emily_in_nc]

Best Friends is a wonderful organization! I became aware of them through watching Dog Town on NGC, which sadly is no longer on. I am so thankful that there are so many kind people to work and volunteer at such an important facility. itself, thanks for helping out there. I bet it was a very fulfilling weekend!

Emily

[badger]

Best Friends is a wonderful organization! I became aware of them through watching Dog Town on NGC, which sadly is no longer on. I am so thankful that there are so many kind people to work and volunteer at such an important facility. itself, thanks for helping out there. I bet it was a very fulfilling weekend!

Emily

WHAT?! it's not on anymore? as in they no longer air it or they no longer produce it? I thought it was such a valuable show to highlight the cruelty/sadness/rehabilitation/dedication/inspiration that's in every single episode.

I was especially moved in the episode where they showed the guy who works full time at the cemetary, how he cares so deeply about every single animal that crosses the rainbow bridge and does little ceremonies for them. The episodes where the animals die are so sad, but they all were shown love in the time they were there.

[itself]

Trek420,

Thank you for posting the article. People too easily forgive him.

The universe will take care of him. He is evil and it will come back around.

[emily_in_nc]

WHAT?! it's not on anymore? as in they no longer air it or they no longer produce it? I thought it was such a valuable show to highlight the cruelty/sadness/rehabilitation/dedication/inspiration that's in every single episode.

I was especially moved in the episode where they showed the guy who works full time at the cemetary, how he cares so deeply about every single animal that crosses the rainbow bridge and does little ceremonies for them. The episodes where the animals die are so sad, but they all were shown love in the time they were there.

No longer produced, unfortunately. I read a blurb about the show being over not too long ago. That's not to say that NGC might not show reruns -- I hope so, though I haven't noticed it on lately. I didn't see the episode you mention; I hope I get a chance to. Every episode seemed to make me laugh and cry.

[nancielle]

...
I was especially moved in the episode where they showed the guy who works full time at the cemetary, how he cares so deeply about every single animal that crosses the rainbow bridge and does little ceremonies for them. The episodes where the animals die are so sad, but they all were shown love in the time they were there.

I remember that episode so well. It was for Bruno, the elderly Chow Chow with the neurological problems (listed to one side, had difficulty walking, had gone home with one of the vets so he could be monitored more closely.) The ceremony is so touching. I love the windchime "garden" they have there...every time you hear the chimes it's the spirit of the animals who've passed on letting the people know they're ok. Since seeing that I've given small windchimes to people I know who've lost their pets. I have one in our back yard for a cat who had somehow gotten into our basement (probably for warmth, it was winter), couldn't find a way back out and died. He was found when another tenant went to check on the furnaces.

Itself, sounds like you had an incredible experience. A firecracker? Really? Who thinks up this sort of thing to do to an animal. I hope they caught the person who did this to that poor cat.

I wish they'd make more episodes of Dog Town.

[Trek420]

I worked for a local sanctuary whose director annually for a few years would go to Best Friends and spend a week volunteering and learning. She went at the time the Vick dogs were brought there, and was really blown away at how damaged they were, that this was the only facility capable of taking them on and providing quality of life to them who, as you noted, have been unimaginably abused.

Local group, BADRAP, got involved helping train and rehome many of the Vick dogs. It's remarkable how well many of them are doing.

http://www.badrap.org/rescue/news.html

Thanks to all the volunteers especially those who foster animals. Please support and adopt from a shelter if you want a pet.

As for Vick, this said in the most friendly, forgiving, non-violent, peaceful, loving all things spirit but for as long as he remains in pro football I hope that opposing teams get the biggest, baddest, dog lovinging'est, defensive line they can find and have them read this before every game with him.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...scol110309.DTL

[tiva]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...scol110309.DTL

That's the most heartbreaking, haunting article I've ever read. We have two rescued pit bulls, and when I look at them, I think of the terrible things Vick did to similar creatures. It's hard to imagine or to bear.

[colby]

As for Vick, this said in the most friendly, forgiving, non-violent, peaceful, loving all things spirit but for as long as he remains in pro football I hope that opposing teams get the biggest, baddest, dog lovinging'est, defensive line they can find and have them read this before every game with him.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...scol110309.DTL

Wow. Just... how could anyone do that to another living creature, let alone repeatedly? What kind of person is that? The food you eat is (generally) treated more humanely. I would be afraid for myself behind closed doors with someone like this, and fear for his children (should he have any, I don't really know much about him other than the fact he plays football and is a big fat a-hole).

[bambu101]

That is indeed a very haunting article...

I would like to point out that Best Friends has been around for close to 30 years, and started with some very basic services and humble beginnings. They have an excellent reputation in the rescue and sanctuary community, and as a result, have a lot of celebrity and big-name funding dollars behind them. Most shelters and animal welfare groups are really struggling these days, so every dollar counts!