Best Friends: The True Story of the World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary [Paperback]

Samantha Glen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001

The inspiring true story of Best Friends, the Angel Canyon, Utah sanctuary, and a few dedicated people who made it happen.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the country, Best Friends houses between 1,800 and 3,000 creatures--from dogs, rabbits and birds to sheep, pigs and horses--75% of which are adopted and many of which have special needs. Located on 3,000 acres in Angel Canyon (formerly Kanab), Utah, the shelter was founded in 1982 by several friends. This is the story of their efforts to execute their grand plan, from locating an appropriate piece of land to building various shelters, taking in ever growing numbers of abused and abandoned animals, finding a reliable veterinarian and raising the funds needed to keep their huge project afloat. Not quite as wonderful as its subject, the book gets bogged down in extraneous details and the introduction of numerous secondary characters. Readers curious about the practical side of this endeavor may find it frustrating that, in the first half of the book, it's not clear how the sanctuary supported hundreds of animals and its staff of a dozen or more; only later do we learn of generous donors, fund-raising efforts, the beginning of Best Friends' excellent magazine and the sanctuary's canvassing efforts. Still, readers drawn in by the authors' 25-city radio tour and 20-city television campaign will find distinctive, memorably drawn portraits of many animals--such as Tomato, the head cat of the TLC Club and the main source of local gossip for Best Friends magazine editor Michael Mountain. Agent, Meredith Bernstein.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Best Friends, a domestic animal sanctuary in Kenab, UT, is permanent home to more than 1800 dogs, cats, birds, horses, etc., many of them abused, disfigured, and unadoptable. Glen (coauthor of Search and Rescue) chronicles the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of a small band of dreamers, including Faith Maloney, Michael Mountain, and Francis Battista, who envisioned a refuge where such animals could live out their natural lives in comfort and safety. In recounting Best Friends' 20-year history, the author introduces us not only to the humans who brought the dream to reality but also some of the charming and needy animals who necessitated its creation. Among them are Sinjin, the burned cat; Mollie, the pot-bellied pig, evicted from her suburban residence because of a change in zoning laws; Benton, the lame cat, inspiration for the construction of a special-needs residence; and Ginger, the Chesapeake Bay retriever, rescued from continuous breeding in a puppy mill. A heartwarming and inspiring tale of love, dedication, and courage, this book belongs in every library where there is interest in environmental issues and animal rights.DFlorence Scarinci, formerly with Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575667355
• ISBN-13: 978-1575667355
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Animal Rights

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make these people & animals your Best Friends!, January 5, 2004

By 

Kim Foster "Kim" (Goleta, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Friends: The True Story of the World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary (Paperback)

I bought this book when I visited Best Friends about 2 years ago but only just read it. Why the delay? I was expecting lots of negative stories - people abusing animals, etc. When I finally picked the book up to read I zipped through it quickly amazed at the powerfully positive messages. Yes, there are stories of the bad things that humans do to animals but these are used to highlight the good things that humans can do if they make the choice to care.

Almost more than the animal stories are those of the people who made Best Friends real. The compassionate people who saw a need and, out of their own pockets, decided to make a difference. Although the organization became (and is) public it began as a labor of love.

If you love animals you will find this book one of hope and passion. It made me wish I could pack up and move to Kanab, UT to become a full-time volunteer!

Read the book and, if you haven't already, visit the sactuary itself. It's truly a testament to what love can do.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This place is for real!!!!, December 4, 2001

By 

Gloria Morrell (Fleetwood, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Friends: The True Story of the World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary (Paperback)

I just loved this book!!! I have been a member of Best Friends for a few years, receiving their mailings, their magazine, and sending them donations to help all the critters they rescue. Needless to say, I have been a dedicated animal lover for many years!I finally got the opportunity to visit Best Friends and work there as a volunteer last Fall. The sanctuary is 1000 times more than I ever expected. The place is huge, beautiful, spotlessly clean and the atmosphere is totally filled with love. The physical and emotional well being of the animals comes FIRST, period! It is truly a sacred place. I advise you to get this book and read it. I assure you.... Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is FOR REAL!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved This Book - Could Not Put It Down - Fell in Love With The Animals!, December 5, 2005

By 

Kathryn L. Evans (Caroga Lake, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Friends: The True Story of the World's Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary (Paperback)

I am a restless reader, usually read a few pages of this, a few pages of that, so it takes a long time for me to work through any one book... but I could not put this book down! The story of the loving, dedicated, risk-everything-for-a-dream group of friends who started the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, is too wonderful, thrilling, cliff-hanging, and heart-warming to be a true story - but it is a true story! Some reviewers find fault with the thoroughness and organization of this history of the shelter, but I think the emphasis of the book is right where it should be, on the stories of the fascinating and endearing animals that shaped the development of the shelter, and the commitment of those who cared for them. The ongoing problem of millions of healthy animals being euthanized at shelters each year, because their people have discarded them, is heart-wrenching, but this book dwells on the positive, and leaves the reader filled with hope and inspiration. The Best Friends Animal Society Web site is also a great place to read "tails with happy endings."