More than 500 dogs and cats are heading to Sandy this weekend for a giant pet adoption event that could turn a casual visit into a full-blown family addition. The Best Friends Super Adoption returns Saturday and Sunday after a seven-year break, bringing Utah shelters and rescue groups together under one roof. For anyone who has been waiting for the right furry roommate to appear, this is a pretty efficient way to meet the candidates.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Mountain America Expo Center, with 18 shelters and rescue groups expected to participate. Best Friends Animal Society says adoption fees will be under $150, while a local preview by KUTV highlights the event as a one-stop chance to meet adoptable animals from across Utah.
What To Know Before Meeting Your Match
One useful geographic detail: the expo center is in Sandy, not Salt Lake City proper. Visit Salt Lake lists the venue at 9575 South State Street, Sandy, Utah, with the event scheduled for Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2.
Admission and parking are free, and the festival will be held indoors, so the weekend’s heat should not interfere with the matchmaking. According to the Best Friends event page, people who RSVP for early access can enter at 10 a.m., an hour before general admission, and receive a free tote bag plus discounts on merchandise.
The event will also include a photo booth, giveaways, vendors, food and concessions, kid-friendly crafts, paw-print activities and an outdoor chill zone with cooling treats and doggie pools. Short demonstrations will cover topics including kitten bottle-feeding, pet vital signs, clicker training, puppy socialization and low-cost enrichment ideas.
Participating organizations include Best Friends in Salt Lake City, SLCO Animal Services, Nuzzles & Co., the Humane Society of Northern Utah, Weber County Animal Shelter, West Valley/Taylorsville Animal Shelter, Community Animal Welfare Society and several additional rescue groups. Animal Care Davis County and Rescue Roveres are listed as Saturday-only participants, so anyone hoping to meet animals from those organizations may want to plan accordingly.
The event is designed for both serious adopters and people who are still in the browsing phase. Even a visit that does not end with a leash, carrier or litter box in the car could give local shelters a boost by connecting more Utah families with animals that need homes.
