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rabbits and wild animals ranging from birds to reptiles and rodents. Minimum age to volunteer varies by area, with the Bunny House and Parrot Garden starting at 8 years old with an adult.
In addition to the hands-on work with the animals that I mentioned above, there are needs such as making toys and treats or doing upkeep on the grounds and buildings. Depending on the time of year, volunteer slots can fill up quickly. Shifts can be scheduled as far as one year in advance. Get more information and see the calendar of available shifts at bestfriends.org/ volunteer/animal-areas.
If you’re able to book well in advance, you might find availability among the cottages and seasonal RV sites that can be rented at the sanctuary. Six miles away in the town of Kanab, the 40-room Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile supports the sanctuary and caters to travelers bringing their pets or planning sleepovers with a sanctuary resident. There’s a fenced dog park, pet-grooming station and rooms designed for people and their furry friends.
I also recommend taking one of the many free walking or driving tours offered by the sanctuary, especially on your first visit. The sanctuary grounds are within Angel Canyon and the folks at the welcome center and gift shop can offer tips on beautiful hikes within the canyon.
Regardless of your destination, it’s very likely there’s an animal shelter near your vacation spot. Check online ahead of time to see if they take drop-in volunteers or if you can sign up in advance for structured volunteer times. Tell them how much time you have and ask what activity would help them the most. When we had a four- hour gap between arriving on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and when our room would be ready, we left our bags at the property and asked for directions to the animal care center in Cruz Bay. The staff there was happy to have a few extra hands to walk dogs and it gave us a chance to stretch our legs while seeing the island.
Trail Tending
Most communities with trails for hiking, biking, running or riding horses will also have an agency that relies on volunteers to build and maintain those trails you enjoy as a visitor. A simple Google search can help you find these groups. They typically offer large events – such as the annual park-wide cleanup organized by the Yosemite Climbing Association in Yosemite National Park each September – as well as small group outings for trail stewardship.
For example, the Mariposa Trails nonprofit organizes day-long projects including repairing signage and
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