There are countless amazing sanctuaries around the world, but there are also some "pseudo-sanctuaries" that rely on donations from unsuspecting animal lovers and treat animals poorly. According to PETA, "Nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is no indication of whether a facility is truly a sanctuary or not. Some substandard facilities are run by well-meaning individuals who take in more animals than they have space or funding to provide for. If animals lack adequate care because of mismanagement or unrealistic goals, additional funding is not likely to correct the situation." Pseudo-sanctuaries are a concern for potential volunteers, because we don't want to give our support (financial or otherwise) to organizations that neglect or mistreat their animals. Some questions to ask yourself before volunteering are:

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• Does the sanctuary breed animals?

• Does the sanctuary buy or sell animals for entertainment/commercial purposes? Keep in mind that a rescue/sanctuary that adopts animals out can absolutely be reputable - as long as they ensure the safety and proper care of their animals. 

• Does the sanctuary have all required licenses/permits? 

• Does the sanctuary have the animals' best interest in mind? 

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Check out more information about pseudo-sanctuaries here.

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