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

[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

[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.

[Trek420]

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.

Yeah, karma's a b*tch. But she takes too long. I'd like those big pitt-puppy doggie loving defensive linemen to say "that's for my shelter adopted pitt, next one's for Hector, then one's for Audie, then we'll work on each of the dogs in the pool ...." as they trot back to the line.

I'm not a football fan but this does make it interesting.

Meanwhile thank you everyone who volunteers for animals and adopts.

[OakLeaf]

Thank you for volunteering.

[bambu101]

Best Friends has a wonderful reputation in the rescue and sanctuary community. Someone from a parrot board I am on is now the manager of the Parrot Garden section there. I would love to go there someday.

There is a great book about the beginnings of Best Friends in 1982:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Friends-W...8379222&sr=1-1

[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.

[badger]

I wonder why?

the episode I mention isn't all about him, it's actually a small part. It came about when one of the vets took a seriously sick dog home as foster when he just went straight downhill and he had to euthanize him at home. I had a hard time watching that episode and pretty much started bawling when they showed the cemetery scene.

[TsPoet]

Most of the people I know are not thrilled with the place.
I watched the first episode on Vick's dogs. I cried, I laughed a little, I went to bed feeling ill and so happy that place existed...
and I woke up upset and dismayed.
I can't remember the numbers now, but they discussed one of his dogs that was not adoptable and how much money she was going to cost them a year for the rest of her life - but they'll happily pay it (bring on the tears)... The amount of money the organization I work with could use to save approximately 100 dogs. That's right, 100 adoptable dogs that don't have a chance because we don't have any funding.
I'm not saying those 100 dogs have more right to life than the one dog, but really? Can't the money and expertise they employ there be used to help more?

[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.