Many people think of animal sanctuaries as zoos, they pay to walk or drive through, and look at the animals, maybe engage with some cute critters, and go home. However, entertainment is not their primary function.
Saving Abused and Neglected Animals
Animal sanctuaries, first and foremost, are dedicated to rescuing abused and neglected animals. Some focus on domesticated animals such as cows, horses and other farm animals. Some focus on wildlife rescue, taking in animals from circuses and backyard zoos. Still others like animal rescue facility Smith County focus on an individual species. Regardless of the type of animal being rescued the heart of these sanctuaries is to rescue animals from deplorable, abusive, and neglectful situations and give them the opportunity for a better life.
Healing and Rehabilitation
Animals often need ongoing medical care depending on the kinds of neglect they suffered. Rehabilitation looks different for every animal. Rescues for domesticated animals, focus on health and finding good homes to adopt and care for the animals. For wild animals, a return to the wild is not often feasible, though it is the most desired end result. In cases where it’s not possible to return an animal to the wild, sanctuaries either take the animal in for life or coordinate with other rescues and sanctuaries to find the facility best suited for the individual animal and their needs.
Education is Key
Most animal sanctuaries and rescue facilities offer public education. These educational opportunities are aimed at raising awareness of the abuses taking place and bringing an end to the neglect and mistreatment of animals. While some of them focus their education more generally, by and large, the education arm of sanctuaries is about effecting change by impacting the way people see and think about animals.
Animal sanctuaries and rescues are more than fun places to visit, or great photo opportunities, they are necessary institutions developed to preserve and protect animals of all kinds.
