The Difference Between an Animal Sanctuary and Shelter

Are you confused about the difference between an animal sanctuary and shelter? Well, here I will clarify some of the misconceptions and confusions people have over the two. They both are necessary and important for the animals in their care. Unfortunately, some undermine the very mission they were meant to serve and do not actually have the animals best interest in mind. Read on to learn more about their purpose for the animals.

Sanctuary

A wildlife sanctuary is a place where animals are brought to live and should be able to retire in peace, respected and protected. It is a place of refuge where they can live the remainder of their lives in dignity, not having to be treated as an object. They are often rare, endangered, native or exotic species.

Animals end up at a sanctuary when they become injured, abandoned, abused, neglected, too expensive to keep as a pet or too dangerous for their owners to keep. Often from roadside zoos, circuses, the pet trade or medical research. A true sanctuary does not breed or exploit the animals by selling, trading the animals or their offspring or using them in any sort of entertainment.

The sanctuary must provide sanitary conditions, safe and secure enclosures specifically designed for the unique animal, proper veterinary care, species appropriate feed and so on. The sanctuary has the responsibility to maintain the animal until his or her natural death.

Sanctuaries should not open to the paying public at all, except maybe for a limited number of planned educational and fundraising events. The animals should be free from fear, chains and harsh confinement. They should also be able to display natural behaviour.

Unfortunately there are many “sanctuaries” that exist providing the barest essentials for the animals in their care. Not taking into consideration the animals nutritional or behavioural needs. These places actually undermine the very mission they were meant to serve.

A sanctuary should not keep wild animals in captivity for the purpose of subjecting them to the stress of public display. Even using them in classrooms to educate children can send the wrong message about animals. That they are objects for human diversion, recreation or educational tools. Beware of sanctuaries that breed baby animals for this purpose or to sell as a profit. Animals should not be exploited by appearing on TV pleading for funds, or be displayed at events or shopping centers for photo-sessions.

No true sanctuary should involve the animals in their care to commercial exploitation or breeding. These animals have done enough in their life time they at the very least deserve a place of safety, rest and respect.

Shelter

An animal shelter is a place where stray, lost, abandoned or surrendered animals, mostly dogs and cats, and/or sick, injured or orphaned wildlife are kept and rehabilitated.

Shelters have a more temporary purpose, allowing the animals to be adopted and kept as pets, or rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

Some shelters adopt a no-kill policy for animals that arrive at the shelter. Although this is the case, these shelters may actually turn away more animals than an open-admission shelter, to avoid euthanasia. Turning away animals can be cruel and often leaves an animal in potential grave danger. Especially if their owner no longer has the animals best interest in mind. This can unfortunately lead to them being dumped, killed, or re-homed to unscrupulous people.

All shelters should provide clean and dry living quarters. Staff should give careful consideration to each animals emotional and physical needs. All animals should receive veterinary treatment when necessary.

Native wildlife shelters accept animals that are sick, injured or orphaned. Many wildlife are threatened by loss of habitat from overbuilding, deforestation, increased pesticide use, illegal pet or bushmeat trade. Some animals are hit by a car, caught on a fence or attacked by a domestic pet. Shelters rehabilitate these animals where possible to return them to the wild, where they belong.

Shelters exist all over the world for a range of different wildlife species. The animals are given veterinary treatment and where possible nursed back to health. The orphans dependent of age, require many hours of TLC and strict feeding regimes. As they mature, human contact is reduced. This ensures they express natural behaviours, to have a greater chance of survival in the wild.

I hope this has clarified more clearly the differences between an animal sanctuary and shelter. Now you know what to look out for when applying to volunteer at an animal sanctuary or animal shelter.

Whether it is for domestic animals, native or exotic wildlife, be sure you support the places that are ethical and have the animals best interest in mind.

Please don’t support a charity that exploits the animals in their care to make a profit. Ensure the charity educates, trains and advocates to the public and local community about more appropriate, respectful, sustainable relationships between humans, wildlife and nature.

If you haven’t already done so, get your animal companion neutered. This will reduce the amount of unwanted animals at shelters.

Never buy an animal from a pet shop. Please always adopt don’t shop.

Thanks for reading!

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