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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
There are many things in life that measure our character, and one of the most important is our treatment of animals. Gregory Castle, president and CEO of Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, knows this better than most. After all, approximately 30 years ago, Gregory and over 20 others founded Best Friends.
Best Friends Animal Society is the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the world. At any given time, they have up to 1,700 animals living in one of Southern Utah's most pristine canyons. These include horses, cats, dogs, bunnies, birds and even a wildlife rehabilitation program set up by the state of Utah.
Between the staff and the trainers, the understanding is that these animals are rehabilitated through love and kindness. These experienced trainers have been successful in teaching cats to leash up and walk. Even though their brains are smaller than dogs' they have more neuron connections, so it's easier for them to learn.
Among those animals you'll find pigs that were once a family pet. They happen to be one of the most intelligent animals on the planet, outsmarting even cats and dogs. Do you realize that out of potbellied pigs brought in as family pets in the U.S., only 5 percent remain in the home? That's why Best Friends sees the potbellied pigs as educational ambassadors on behalf of their species.
If you ever have an opportunity to tour this facility you will not believe how organized and immaculate their sanctuary is. The experience of dignity and respect given between employees and volunteers to the animals is something you have to behold. They look for a certain type of employee and volunteer. That's a big task with around 7,000 volunteers who come in from around the world every year. Not to mention, with 550 employees, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is easily Kane County's largest employer.
Through their relationship-based rehabilitation system, the goal at Best Friends Animal Society is to place these pets in a loving home. So far their adoption rate is at 82 percent.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Best Friends Animal Society 5001 Angel Canyon Rd. Kanab, UT 84741 435-644-2001 www.bestfriends.org
