Volunteer

ETHICAL SANCTUARIES TO VISIT

Going abroad and want to visit a wildlife sanctuary but don’t know which one is legit? Want to volunteer at a sanctuary but don’t know where to go? Check out some of our suggestions.

How to tell if it's a REAL sanctuary

If you care to support a true sanctuary, there are a few questions you need to ask to figure out if it meets the standards of a true, ethical sanctuary, or rescue center. Here are some questions to ask or seek answers BEFORE you go visit or support. Most of the answers are on their websites.

Does the sanctuary have the proper facilities to house all the animals in their care? Animals in must have space to roam and given ample space to mimic their behavior in the wild. These animals should never be taken out of their environment for the sake of public display.

Do they offer the proper dietary foods and enrichment stimulation for the animals in their care? This can mean clean water pools for elephants and bears to play in. It may mean large enclosures where grazers can roam. It means researching the needs of the wildlife in their facilities and ensuring proper mental, emotional and physical stimulation.

How are the animals acquired? Sanctuaries provide animals with a permanent home until the day they die. They don’t trade, borrow, or loan animals. Most rescue centers try never to buy an animal from an abuser, instead, local authorities usually send animals to them for rehabilitation and proper care.

Most reputable sanctuaries have limited public visitation times in order to minimize the impact on the animal residents. Typically, this means that if the sanctuary or rescue center is open to the public, visits are allowed on specific days and times only, and you may need even need to book in advance.

A reputable sanctuary will not allow breeding of any kind. The ONLY exception is when a facility is working with governments and accredited organizations to re-establish a species that is threatened with extinction. Otherwise, if you hear that they are breeding animals, this is not a facility you want to support

If the facility is encouraging tourists to pose for photos with wild animals, this is not a place you want to visit. Unless you are volunteering at a facility where you must have contact with the wildlife or the animals need the handling of humans to thrive (orphaned primates sometimes), be wary of sanctuaries that include paying to pose for photos with the rescued wildlife.

You should be able to contact any facility and ask questions. If they refuse to answer or they are avoiding directly answering your questions, you want to be cautious of volunteering or visiting that center, unless you have done further research.