Volunteer Vacay: St. George, Utah

My first Volunteer Vacay in Anchorage, Alaska was epic, and I couldn’t wait to volunteer again in a different part of the country. But where to go?

As much as I love the Pacific Northwest, the weeks of nonstop, cold winter rain, paired with short daylight hours, definitely have me dreaming of a sunny respite! After some research, and a great suggestion by my dad, we decided to spend a month in St. George, Utah, located two hours north of Las Vegas. The mild winter climate, days of sunny blue skies and endless hiking possibilities totally sold us!

There are a handful of animal shelters and rescues in and around the St. George area, and after reading reviews and following them on social media for several months, I determined that RSQ rescue was where I wanted to be. Their compassion, commitment and standard of care really resonated with me.

RSQ is focused on serving the rural areas outside of St. George where there are fewer resources. The group has a heart for animals with medical challenges, and has taken in numerous pets with various injuries and illnesses as well as seniors who are more difficult to find adoptive homes for.

Even before I started volunteering, I was welcomed with open arms! It’s hard to believe that this group has no paid staff. They provide quality care for approximately 80 animals (though I’m sure their numbers vary), and all the work is done by a committed team of volunteers! Truly, this group of exceptional people is making such a positive difference in that community, and I couldn’t be prouder to have been part of that team for a short time.

Stepping into the cat room at RSQ is like being transported into Barbie’s tropical pool party! Cat World, as they call it, is a fun, quirky space with chairs on the walls, fake trees throughout and lots of swings and other places to perch. Large condos surround the room, giving a safe, private space for cats who are transitioning to the new environment and/or have special needs.

Because of the mild temps, cats can stay in the outdoor catio (not pictured), accessible by a cat door, all day if they choose. Many of RSQ’s semi-feral cats tend to feel most comfortable outside in this safe enclosure.

One of the most popular areas in Cat World is next to the bird feeders, which are set up just outside the building. Garage doors are raised to let in fresh air, and the wall is enclosed with fencing material to keep the cats safely inside. An entire posse of cats can be found at all hours during daylight, vying for their favorite tree stump, blanket, basket or swing on which to watch the birds.

Most of my time in Cat World was spent either scooping litter (there are many litter boxes for the approximately 50 cats in that room!) and getting in lots of snuggles with the kitties. Within moments of sitting on the floor, a cat would be crawling into my lap, with more hovering close by for pets.

Jack and Jewel are hanging out after their walk.

Though I started my volunteer stint in Cat World, I quickly moved over to helping with the dogs and ended up spending most of my time with them. First thing in the morning, volunteers arrive to take the dogs on a walk, feed them and clean their kennels. I arrived later in the morning to help with additional clean-up, work on a bit of training, and spend time playing and snuggling with the pups. All the dogs at RSQ get along with each other and enjoy several hours in the morning and evening socializing together.

On Christmas day, my husband and I picked up two of the pups from RSQ, Kevin and Fuller, for a day of fun. We started with a hike across the phenomenal rocky landscape in Dammeron Valley on a trail called The Vortex, named after a particularly deep bowl formed in the sandstone.

The pups came to RSQ after being found abandoned, living their entire lives in a small outdoor kennel. They are still working on leash walking and tend to get excited or nervous around new people and dogs. As you can imagine, their pulling and general craziness made the hike a bit difficult, but they seemed to have had a blast! And it’s hard to beat that view!

After our hike, we relaxed in the fenced yard of our rental, playing ball, exploring and snuggling. These guys are so fun! They love to play and to cuddle. I think the combination of playing with a ball while lying on top of me is their absolute favorite!

We ended our day of celebration by driving around town to check out the Christmas lights. They did not disappoint! And then it was back to RSQ for some dinner for the boys. Fuller was so exhausted from the day of fun, he couldn’t stay awake!

The Christmas lights displays in St. George were pretty spectacular! This is probably my favorite of the ones we saw.

Sadly, my volunteer vacay was cut short because of some health problems. I have a disorder that affects my autonomic nervous system, and the elevation and dry climate triggered flare-ups. I enjoyed two glorious weeks, spending time with the animals and hiking around St. George, before my body shut down. I loved every minute I was healthy there and wish I could enjoy every winter in this part of the country.

Southern Utah is a magical place and RSQ is an amazing group to volunteer with! If you’re looking for an animal rescue to support, RSQ is a wonderful organization that is deserving of your gift. The work they are doing is so needed, and their commitment to these animals is truly admirable. My sincerest thanks to the volunteers of RSQ for welcoming me to the team!