To Whom it May Concern:

What is a sanctuary? To me when I think of a sanctuary, I think of a
wildlife sanctuary or a privately funded (i.e. one that does not take
outside donations) sanctuary. Now I know I will get flamed, but I am
discussing this academically and since I do not know how Zoo's
Sanctuary is run, this is in reference to Sanctuaries as a whole.

Lets start with the definition:
sancátuáaráy (sngkch-r)*n.* *pl.* *sancátuáaráies*
*1. **a. * A sacred place, such as a church, temple, or mosque.
     *b. * The holiest part of a sacred place, as the part of a
           Christian church around the altar.
*2. **a. * A sacred place, such as a church, in which fugitives
      formerly were immune to arrest.
     *b. * Immunity to arrest afforded by a sanctuary.
*3. * A place of refuge or asylum.
*4. * A reserved area in which birds and other animals, especially
      wild animals, are protected from hunting or molestation.

Now that we have a definition, I know we are not discussing a
consecrated or holy place, and I know at least most animals are not
resisting arrest. So we must conclude a reserved area that birds and
other animals are protected from hunting or molestation. Well, if we go
by that definition than everyone that owns a pet is a Sanctuary. We all
have a reserved space be it our house or a room in the house. We also
all protect our animals or at least should. So there must be something
more to this.

If you go by that the animal is high or special needs, then I and a lot
of other people that foster or adopt animals would qualify. The first
ferrets my husband and I adopted were high needs. One was Flease who
was found in a dumpster, the other was Samantha, her partner who was at
least eight years old. We fell in love with them and provided a great
home. They got to be in their forever home and know they were loved.
Most of our ferrets are 5-6 years old, as are a lot of peoples. Should
we all establish our selves as Sanctuaries and receive donations? I
guess my point is, what are the guidelines for a Sanctuary?

Education, well I and a lot of other ferret owners educate pretty much
anyone we meet on ferrets. Re-homing, a lot of us do that as well. We
hear of a ferret and post or ask friends if they can take them in. It's
not like we are bringing them in to our house, taking them to the vet
and getting blood work done as well as adv testing, before they go to
their new home. Are sanctuaries required to keep personal pet bills
separate? Most shelters I know have shelter ferrets and personal
ferrets, and only donations go to the shelter ferrets, not for upkeep
of their personal ferrets. Most Sanctuaries have to keep bills separate
since they are housing wild animals, so it is hard to slip a dog bill
as part of the Sanctuaries operating funds. Since we are taking
companion animals, shouldn't there be an age requirement before they
are admitted. Say set the age at six years old for ferrets or 10-15
years old for cats and dogs. That would really work in tandem with
shelters. Though a lot of shelters do have these Sanctuaries. They are
called foster homes, and though some foster parents have the shelter
pay for medical, their are a lot that pay those bills themselves.

I have no issue with Sanctuary operators getting a puppy, kitty, or
kit, don't get me wrong. Though since they are the most easily adopted
out at that age, I don't believe donations should go toward care for
that animal. Now, if someone wills their animals to a Sanctuary or
friend or where ever, even if the animals are younger, there is not an
issue since they also will money for their care so donations are not
going toward their care anyway. I guess the whole point of this post
is their needs to rules or requirements for Sanctuaries as well as
shelters, or any cause the receives donations. That is the exact reason
I do not donate HSUS, (thanks Alicia for your ongoing work informing
the public) or any other organization that operates that way. I also
believe the public should be educated on how each organization
operates, so that they know their money is going to really help the
cause they support.

In conclusion, this was not a direct attack, though I will probably get
flamed as if it was. The is an educational debate to get other input
and give people food for thought. Their are many Sanctuaries out their,
and each operates differently. One I know of got land donated to them
to keep feral cats on, which are all fixed, and that pays for the
whole cost themselves. Other Sanctuaries use it as a way to fund their
personal animals. I think their really needs to be regulations as to
what a Sanctuary really is. Is it only for wild animals? Or should
companion animals be included, and what should be the rules governing
these operations.

Sincerely,
Ireann

[Posted in FML 5732]