Captive Animals

The Role of Sanctuaries in Animal Welfare

Animal sanctuaries provide lifetime care for rescued animals who cannot survive in the wild, but vary enormously in quality — from genuinely excellent to exploitative in nature.

Key Facts

True sanctuaries provide lifetime care with no commercial exploitation of resident animals
GFAS accreditation requires independent audits of animal care, facilities, and finances
Many pseudo-sanctuaries exploit the label for tourism revenue while providing poor care
Sanctuaries for elephants, big cats, and primates often house animals rescued from abuse
The sanctuary sector has grown substantially as demand for responsible wildlife tourism increases

Welfare Considerations

Genuine sanctuaries represent the best available welfare outcome for animals whose welfare needs cannot be met in the wild or through other systems. They provide species-appropriate housing, social groups, veterinary care, and behavioral enrichment without requiring animals to perform or interact with the public in stressful ways. The growth of pseudo-sanctuaries exploiting the label makes verification of accreditation essential for donors and visitors.

What You Can Do

Donate only to GFAS-accredited or equivalent verified sanctuaries
Visit sanctuaries that prohibit hands-on contact and animal performances
Spread awareness about how to distinguish genuine from pseudo-sanctuaries
Support campaigns for legal definitions of sanctuary that prevent misuse of the label