Dogs at a southern Utah animal sanctuary had an incredibly joyful Christmas morning as they selected gifts from Santa’s sleigh.

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, located near the Arizona border, organized a special Christmas morning event called “Santa Sleigh” for its dogs. According to the shelter, the pups “happily chose toys” from a festively decorated sleigh filled with over 500 toys, thanks to donations from their corporate partners, Pet Supplies Plus and Blue Buffalo.

Video clips provided by Best Friends showcase numerous dogs happily exploring their options, which included ropes, balls, and squeaky toys. The dogs also enjoyed affection and treats from volunteers and staff.

‘A meaningful tradition’

Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, remarked that the event “is a genuinely meaningful tradition at Best Friends.”

“It allows the dogs at the Sanctuary to experience a sense of home until they are adopted into loving families,” Castle added. “Additionally, it brings joy to our caregivers who are dedicated to providing these special moments for the dogs each day.”

The sleigh visited over a dozen places within the Dogtown area of the Sanctuary, bringing happiness to more than 400 dogs looking for adoption. Best Friends noted that the shelter dogs originated from various shelters across Utah and the rest of the country.

Dogtown is described as a “place for healing, education, and fun for dogs and puppies.”

Established in 1984, Best Friends is a prominent animal welfare organization with various shelters nationwide. Its mission is to eliminate the killing of dogs and cats in American shelters, aspiring to achieve a no-kill status by 2025. The sanctuary itself is said to be the largest of its type in the U.S. and is “nestled within the breathtaking canyons of southern Utah.”