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KANAB -- The National Geographic Channel is going to the dogs.

Beginning Friday at 7, the cable channel will air a three-part series profiling the efforts of southern Utah's Best Friends Animal Society to rescue seemingly hopeless dogs, giving them the medical attention they require and putting them up for adoption as pets.

Located five miles north of Kanab on 33,000 acres in scenic redrock in Angels Canyon, Best Friends is the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the country with a staff of 60 caring for forgotten canines that arrive from around the country and are cared for in one of 12 lodging facilities.

"It's like the Mayo Clinic for dogs," said Chris Valentini, the series executive producer. "They take dogs that have no place left to go. It's their last chance and [Best Friends staff] do amazing things in dealing with the dogs' medical problems and getting them adopted out."

He said a unique component of this series is showing the strong emotional bond forged between caregivers and animals.

"It's really a unique bond we don't often see," said Valentini. "The caregivers really love these animals and that comes across."

Filming took place in March and December of 2007. Valentini said the channel is producing five more episodes for the series that will run beginning in October 2008.

Friday night's episode opens the series with the rescue of some dogs found in horrid conditions at an Omaha, Neb. puppy mill after it was raided by authorities. National Geographic arranged an emergency flight for trainer Sherry Woodard to bring back the most traumatized animals and profiles how she deals with a small black terrier named Animal.

Viewers will see the rescue of Ruger and Remington, two dogs from the polygamist community of Colorado City, where unwanted dogs are routinely shot. And then there's Porto, a large dog suffering from mange who has scratched off all his fur and, in some spots, his skin.

In all three cases, the episode shows how veterinarians, behavior specialists and trainers help the hounds with health and behavioral issues, from having to shave animals' feces- and urine-encrusted fur to teaching Remington and Ruger social skills and diagnosing and treating Porto's malady.

The Jan. 11 episode, "Second Chances," deals with Bruno, a chow who exhibits symptoms of a brain tumor and the decisions that must be made about his future. It also follows Best Friends staff as they travel to a Navajo reservation to rescue dogs from a garbage dump, and demonstrates how trainers handle a behaviorally challenged dog that bit an infant.

Elissa Jones, who heads Best Friends Guardian Angel program, said the refuge established a relationship with the National Geographic Channel during rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina. "They [channel] came down to do a special on the hurricane, but we didn't make it in that one," said Jones. "But they got to know more about Best Friends and sent a couple of people out to scout [facilities] and they liked what they found -- a lot of dogs and stories that go with dogs."

Jones, who worked as a liaison with National Geographic, said crews came to Angel Canyon twice for four to six weeks to film the episodes.

"Best Friends hopes the series will make more people aware of what we do," said Jones.

Michael Mountain, president of Best Friends, also looks forward to the exposure the series will provide about the horrors of puppy mills.

"That's where [dogs and cats] come from to pet stores all over the country," he said. "We're hoping that people who see this will go to shelters to adopt dogs and cats rather than pet stores. It's a good thing to do from our point of view."

Mountain said the organization has been the subject of news stories about its rescue operations, but there's been nothing as extensive as the National Geographic series.

Other cable channels have approached Best Friends about doing a show, but were deterred by high production costs, Mountain said.

"National Geographic was the first to say they thought it was worth it," said Mountain. "I'm surprised they did."

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