Animal Sanctuary

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An animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. Unlike animal shelters, sanctuaries do not seek to place animals with individuals or groups, instead maintaining each animal until its natural death. In some cases, an establishment may have characteristics of both a sanctuary and a shelter; for instance, some animals may be in residence temporarily until a good home is found and others may be permanent residents. The mission of sanctuaries is generally to be a safe havens, where the animals receive the best care possible. Animals are not bought, sold, or traded, nor are they used for animal testing. They are given the opportunity to behave naturally in a protecting environment.

What separates a sanctuary from all other institutions is the philosophy that the residents come first. In a sanctuary, every action is scrutinized for any trace of human benefit at the expense of nonhuman residents. Sanctuaries act on behalf of the animals, and the caregivers work under the notion that all animals in the sanctuary, human and nonhuman, are of equal importance.

A sanctuary is not open to the public in the sense of a zoo; that is, the public is not allowed unescorted access to any part of the facility. A sanctuary does not allow any activity that would place the animals in an unduly stressful situation.

One of the most important missions of sanctuaries beyond caring for the animals is educating the public. The ultimate goal of a sanctuary is to change the way that humans think of and treat nonhuman animals.

Animal Sanctuary

See also