Consider giving an adoptable dog or cat some one-on-one time by hosting a sleepover at your pet-friendly accommodations.

When visiting our animal sanctuary or surrounding areas, you can get extra snuggles when you sign up to take an animal on a sleepover. Whether you’ve spent your day volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary or visiting a nearby national park, you can wind down with a relaxing evening in your pet-friendly accommodations by hosting a grateful pet from the Sanctuary. 

Sleepovers give adoptable pets a chance to experience life away from the Sanctuary, and your feedback can provide insight into how they are in a home environment, which is valuable information for potential adopters — it's a win-win.

Sleepovers enrich the lives of pets at our sanctuary

You get extra quality time to go for walks, cuddle, or relax with an appreciative dog or cat.

See all the fun of hosting a sleepover:

Here’s what you can expect when hosting a sleepover

When you host a sleepover for a pet from the Sanctuary, you’ll share your cabin, cottage, hotel room, or short-term rental with a dog or cat overnight.

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Volunteer Tasks

As a sleepover host, you’ll feed, socialize, and clean up after your sleepover pet. Plus, you’ll have plenty of time to snuggle and play! 

Sleepovers are an excellent opportunity for the animals to experience life in a home-like environment, so spending time in your room together is a great way to help get the pet accustomed to life outside of our animal sanctuary.

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Time Commitment

To experience this overnight volunteer opportunity, you’ll pick up your sleepover animal in the afternoon and return the pet to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the morning.

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Volunteer Requirements

To take an animal on a sleepover, you or a member of your party must first volunteer for a shift in the animal care area where your intended sleepover guest resides. You can make sleepover arrangements with the volunteer coordinator in that area. If you're staying at the Roadhouse or Sanctuary lodging, you're not required to volunteer prior to hosting a sleepover.

If you’re staying in a hotel or short-term rental, verify in advance that it allows pets. Those traveling with personal pets will not be allowed to host a sleepover pet. 

Volunteer age requirements vary based on species, so make sure to check the volunteer page for each animal area before signing up.

Outings into town may be limited during holidays and select events because of possible fireworks and crowds that can present safety hazards. Animals from the Sanctuary are not eligible for patio dining, so please make alternate meal arrangements. Some dogs can only go on outings within Sanctuary grounds. 

Typically only one animal is allowed per sleepover, but we will make exceptions for bonded dogs, cats, and kittens.

Book your volunteer experience

Ready to plan your sleepover? Get ready for fun, snuggles, and the soothing sounds of doggy snoring.

Scheduling your volunteer shifts in advance is highly recommended, and shifts can be scheduled as far as one year in advance. You can check the availability of shifts anytime.

To begin the process, please submit an application. Once you sign up and complete your volunteer agreement, you can access the full list of volunteer opportunities.

If you already have a Best Friends volunteer profile, go to the volunteer portal to see opportunities available to you.

Volunteers with disabilities are welcome! Contact us to learn about our disability-friendly volunteer shifts. Email volunteers@bestfriends.org or call 435-319-0622 with questions or to sign up for a shift.

Adopt a sleepover buddy

Looking to add a new friend to the family for more than a night? Great! Check out all our adorable adoptable pets.

Animal Previews
Animal Previews
Animal Previews
Animal Previews

Sponsor a pet at the Sanctuary

By giving a gift of sponsorship to your friends or family, you can provide love and care to the animals at our sanctuary.

Sponsor an animal

Know before you go

If you’re not sure where to get lunch or what to wear in southern Utah’s weather, we’ve got you covered.