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Sanctuary! (Part I)

© Sherrie Walker

"Pockets" hangs out with friends, and a belly rub for Philip

The word "sanctuary" can be defined as any refuge, haven, or safe place. For the purposes of my next two articles, however, I am using "sanctuary" to refer to rural shelters, located on several acres, which may be home to hundreds of animals. I had the privilege recently of visiting one such sanctuary, Southern Animal Rescue Association, located near Seguin, TX, and home to almost 400 dogs, 100 cats and 2 pigs. I came away with the belief, voiced by director Tracy Frank, that the establishment of rural sanctuaries might go a long way toward solving the problem of homeless pets in this country.

Rural sanctuaries have a luxury that city shelters do not have - space. Unless there is a reason to isolate a particular dog or cat, sanctuaries tend to house their animals in large, communal areas. Most animals like it better that way, it's cheaper, and it's a little easier to take in "one more dog" or "one more cat." This, in turn, gives sanctuaries another advantage not afforded most city shelters - time. Time to rehabilitate an abused animal, both physically and psychologically, so he can become adoptable. Time to allow other animals, too damaged to ever be adopted, to live out their lives in peace.

Tracy Frank at SARA Sanctuary believes city shelters and pounds should form relationships with nearby rural sanctuaries (or start one of their own) to take their "overflow" - animals that, for one reason or other, are unadoptable, and animals that need extra time to become adoptable. This would not only save a lot of good animals' lives, but might also prove more cost effective than euthanasia.

The largest and best known sanctuary in the U.S. is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, located on 350 acres in southern Utah. Home to no fewer than 1,800 animals at any given time, Best Friends boasts a nationwide support network and serves as a model of what can be accomplished with sufficient funding and volunteer help.

One of the programs that Best Friends sponsors is a week-long workshop for individuals who want to start a sanctuary. Pasado's Safe Haven, located on 50 acres near Seattle, WA, has a similar week end program called Sanctuary 101. There, students can learn from the mistakes and successes of those who have "been there." Home For Life, near

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