1. The Reality of Animal Agriculture: Through telling the stories of individual residents, visitors learn about the reality of animal agriculture from a new perspective. For example, they might learn that cows must be mothers to produce milk, or that the selective breeding of chickens for eggs is the reason that reproductive disease is the leading cause of death in hens.
2. The Harm of Backyard Farms: Survivors of backyard farms often make up the majority of a sanctuary’s resident population.
For example, visitors might learn about the regular occurence of rooster dumping, or the neglect that many animals experience on backyard farms.
3. Unlearning: There are many myths and stigmas around farmed animals. Visiting an animal sanctuary gives people the opportunity to see these animals for who they really are outside of the systems of exploitation that further stigmatize them.
For example, visitors might learn that, in contrast to the stigma of pigs being filthy, they are hygienic animals who clean themselves and take care of their living spaces. Or that in contrast to the myth that turkeys are “dumb,” visitors might learn that turkeys are intelligent and social animals capable of complex feelings and behaviors.
4. Proper Environments and Individualized Care: Sanctuaries serve as a model for proper, individualized care, including predator protection, preventative care, access to veterinary care, appropriate diets, and species-specific care.
For example, visitors might learn about the dangers of allowing birds to free-range, or how veterinarian intervention has saved the lives of individual residents.
5. Personal Experience & Connection: Visiting an animal sanctuary is a personal experience that can be used in further advocacy. Visitors can share their experiences, things they’ve learned and unlearned, and their personal connection to the animals they met.
For example, a visitor might have learned about the relationship between two sheep who deeply care for one another (illustrating their ability to live rich, meaningful lives) and later use this observation to advocate for wool-free alternatives.
Sanctuaries of all sizes play a crucial role in vegan advocacy and the pursuit of animal liberation.
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What are some other ways that sanctuaries offer unique educational experiences about the truths of farmed animals? Let us know in the comments below!