Living Without Meat

To begin my search for other great animal sanctuaries around the world (as in, aside from Farm Sanctuary), I’m starting close to home: the east coast of the United States.

* Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville, Maryland must be a biggie - it’s Web site is simply animalsanctuary.org. The 400-acre nonprofit rescues farm animals including mules, chickens, turkeys, cows, pigs, and others.

* In New England, farm animals find refuge at the Mountain View Farm Animal Sanctuary in East Burke, Vermont.

* Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary calls Woodstock, New York home, and was founded by a couple with oots in the film-making business. Comedian and cartoonist Dan Piraro and his wife Ashley Lou Smith, who have been seen around town supporting both Farm Sanctuary and PETA too, call Woodstock their home sanctuary. Woodstock, as detailed in the full name, is home to rescued farm animals including goats, pigs, and chickens.

* New York has more than its share of sanctuaries. Spirit Animal Sanctuary in Boonville cares for dogs, but also currently has a parrot, iguana, and cat. The Catskills Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties offers a safe haven to abused, neglected, and otherwise mistreated horses and other farm animals. Unfortunately, Oasis Sanctuary in North Branch recently had to close its doors, with the founder exhausting all of his personal funds. Oasis still needs help though! All of their farm animals have found a new home, but there are still many dogs that need a home. Plus, Oasis is indebited thousands of dollars for back property taxes.

* Florida is home to numerous wildlife sanctuaries: Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainesville, Peace River Rescue & Ranch in Zolfo Springs, and Sanctuary Animal Refuge in Clewiston. Big Cat Rescue houses all kinds of exotic large felines that should be living wild and free, including jaguars, tigers, cougars, ocelots, and more. The rescued cats from performing situations, fur factories, exotic pet dealers, and any other situation that humans have tried to confine them to. Jungle Friends offers a permanent safe home to monkeys that come from labratories, exotic pet traders, and situations requiring confiscation by police. Peace River saves exotic animals from any potentially harmful situation. Their residents include big cats, wolves, bears, pimates, and even bats. Sanctuary Animal Rescue takes in any animal - though primarily dogs and cats - that is considered fearful, agressive, old, or ill. They run as a no-kill shelter, rehabing the residents and adopting out those who are ready.

* Blind Cat Rescue in St. Pauls, North Carolina is exactly as it sounds - a place for unwanted cats that can’t see to feel safe and wanted.

* In Louisa, Virginia, Project Perry is the Central Virgina Parrot Sanctuary. Lucky Parrot Sanctuary, Inc. is the birds’ safe haven in Naples, Florida.

* Shepherd’s Green Sanctuary in Cookeville, Tennessee has 30 acres open meadow and woods, with 2 additional acres sectioned off for special needs residents. Shepherd’s is all about and for the pigs.

* And we can’t forget the shelled ones in need. Turtle Homes Rescue in Merrick, New York takes care of turtles and tortoises. They also have sanctuaries across all regions of the U.S., and Canada, Asia, and the U.K.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

This list is by no means comprehensive, but rather covers the larger ones, and those that are accredited. Most accept volunteers, many have blogs, and all are always in need of financial support.

Stay tuned for another region’s sanctuary run down next weekend!