The Sanctity of Sanctuary

Hi friends!

The first time I heard the words “animal sanctuary,” I asked, “A what?” My friend then told me about a local haven for rescued animals that I never knew existed.

As the animal rights movement grows, more of these animal refuges are popping up. Older sanctuaries that have been around for years are gaining recognition for the invaluable care they provide.

What Is an Animal Sanctuary?

In contrast to zoos, non-profit animal sanctuaries are 100% for the animals. They provide food, professional medical care, and shelter for rescued and abused beings. At animal sanctuaries, every life is valued. It doesn’t matter if a resident is as big as a cow or as small as a mouse, they are treated with respect and seen as the individual they are.

Like us, each sanctuary resident has a history. Most of theirs involve abuse, abandonment and exploitation. Some were “pets” and got rehomed following the death of their human caregiver. Others are born into freedom from mothers who arrived at sanctuaries pregnant.

Did You Know That Farmed Animals Almost Never Die of Old Age?

Animals used for meat, dairy and eggs are killed as babies or youngsters. For this reason, veterinarians are not used to treating farmed animals over the age of 6 months. Dairy cows are an exception to this, but they are sold and slaughtered long before their natural lifespans of 20 years. When sanctuaries rescue animals, providing for them at all stages of life, from toddlerhood to old age, is critical.

Arthritis and other chronic ailments are common. Pain management and quality of life decisions are daily happenings. Fortunately, exciting new types of treatment are taking place. In the process, veterinary professionals are learning from the animals.

My Experience Volunteering

Twice a week, I volunteer at Heartland Farm Sanctuary. I do enrichment with its residents. I primarily work with pigs, turkeys and chickens, though I also spend time with donkeys, goats, a cow, and other species. A typical day includes building confidence and trust, coming up with fun and/or challenging games and activities, and spending quality time with my animal friends.

Animals Are People, Too

The more time I spend with animals, the more I see each person’s (yes, I refer to the animals as people) uniqueness. They have friends of different species than their own. They have hangups and fears, likes and dislikes. Just like we do. Regardless of whether you value the lives of farmed animals, remember that they value their lives. To see them simply being themselves in a loving and safe environment brings me great joy.

I strongly encourage you to visit a sanctuary this summer! Many of them offer tours and events for the public. Most sanctuaries need volunteer and financial help. When you go, take time to observe the residents. Meet the individuals who want to meet you. Cherish the peace that santuary provides innocent beings – who through no fault of their own – were born into bodies that our species views as commodities.

Here’s a link to find a sanctuary near you: https://vegan.com/blog/sanctuaries/

Here’s my Animal Friends page that has some of the sanctuaries I support: https://dirtysnouts.com/our-animal-friends-farm-sanctuaries/