Travel // Attractions to Avoid // Sanctuaries: Not Always Paradise

Attractions to Avoid

Sanctuaries: Not Always Paradise

At a good sanctuary, you can enjoy helping animals up close and personal, while the animals live as natural a life as possible. However, visiting a sanctuary requires a little homework because some sanctuaries are more like cruel prisons than safe havens for animals, and supporting inhumane facilities should be avoided.

Pseudo-Sanctuaries
Many roadside and traveling zoos operate under the guise of nonprofit sanctuaries, preying on people's sympathy while exploiting animals. Animals "rescued" from circuses, private homes, and show business are sentenced to spend their lives on barren concrete surrounded by metal bars. Unable to engage in any of their natural activities, like running or flying, they often develop neurotic behaviors such as pacing, rocking, and self-mutilation out of frustration and boredom.

Some pseudo-sanctuaries bring in extra cash by breeding, buying, and selling the animals in their care. They use baby animals to attract visitors and auction off older animals for a tidy profit. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is no indication of whether a facility is truly a sanctuary or not.

While there is a temptation to volunteer or give money to these pseudo-sanctuaries in order to help the unfortunate animals caged there, any support helps to perpetuate this unethical business. The best way to help these animals is to document cruelty and neglect, and to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Learn more about pseudo-sanctuaries

Finding True Sanctuaries
If a sanctuary isn't accredited by The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS), cross it off your "to visit" list. TAOS is an accrediting organization that requires member sanctuaries to observe a strict code of ethics and exceed the minimum standards of the Animal Welfare Act. These sanctuaries rescue and care for exotic animals without selling or breeding them, allowing them to live out the rest of their lives in peaceful, spacious, natural habitats with members of their own species.

Learn more about sanctuaries, zoos, and how you can help captive animals.