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The words "Welcome Home" may just seem like any other words we hear on a daily basis. They don't mean much; they are merely a phrase we use. However, to some people and to some animals, it's an expression they have been longing to hear their entire life.

In the United States, there are more than 8 MILLION stray dogs and cats put into our animal shelters a year (HSUS)! This figure doesn't even consider how many more there are still rooming the streets. Once caught, these poor creatures have a slim chance of adoption and an even bigger chance of being euthanized. Sadly, of pets owned only 10% of dogs and 18% of cats were adopted from shelters.

For some lucky dogs who are living on their last hopes, when the shelter worker comes calling for them, they aren't going where their other doggies friends had gone before...they are going to Dogtown.

So what is Dogtown; it's basically puppy paradise. Dogtown was founded by Best Friends Animal Society. In the 1970s, a group of animal lovers could no longer tolerate the euthanizing of the supposedly "unadoptable" animals. These people went to shelters and rescued animals who's luck was about to run out. Once rescued, the dogs were rehabilitated and found their forever home. The collection of animals that weren't adoptable became the foundation of Best Friends, which officially opened its doors in the early 1980s.

For the past 25 years, Dogtown - located in Kanab, Utah - has given thousands of dogs a chance at having the life they once were deprived. Here they are surrounded by new and smiling faces on a daily basis. These faces are knowledge and trained staff, companions, visitors, and other tail wagging fur balls just like them!

At Dogtown, it's all fun and games for these pooches. Each dog is given acres, upon acres to run and socialize with others. These lucky dogs receive the best.  Luckily, many of these dogs will one day be adopted by a loving family. The ones who won't, get to live out the rest of their lives in this happy place where they don't have to worry or fear for their lives.

Due to recent popularity, the Discovery Channel has created a TV series about Dogtown. The show tells the incredible stories of dogs that have come to live there and their remarkable transformations. The series also features the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dog fighting operation. Approximately half of these dogs were placed in shelters around the country, while 22 of them came to Dogtown. These pit bulls had been through quite an ordeal but thanks to Dogtown staff, they are able to socialize with humans and other animals. For some of them adoption is just around the corner.

Best Friends has made a difference in the lives of so many. Thanks to them, some lucky dogs living at shelters will be given a second chance at life.

F. Y. I. Best Friends Animal Society has been working diligently for many years and has created numerous sanctuaries for all types of animals. In addition to Dogtown, they've established Cat World, Parrot Garden, Horse Haven, Piggy Paradise, Bunny House, Wild Friends, and The Clinic. Best Friends truly does give a second chance to animals of all kinds.