The term sanctuary is used by both genuine welfare-focused facilities and by exploitative operations. Understanding what distinguishes a genuine sanctuary from a glorified zoo is essential.
The sanctuary label is unregulated in most countries, allowing facilities with very poor welfare standards to market themselves as sanctuaries. Key indicators of genuine sanctuaries include: no breeding programmes, no public handling, GFAS or equivalent accreditation, transparent funding disclosure, and focus on the individual animal rather than public entertainment. Cub petting operations, tiger walking experiences, and elephant riding facilities frequently call themselves sanctuaries or conservation centres — terms that carry no welfare guarantee. Genuinely accredited sanctuaries often turn away visitors or restrict access to protect animal welfare from public disturbance.