Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an animal sanctuary?
   
2. Is there really a need for sanctuaries?
   
3. Where do the animals come from?
   
4. Why can't these animals just be released back into the wild?
   
5. Do any wild animals make good pets?
   
6. What kind of animals do you have?
   
7. What about the dogs? Can't they be adopted?
   
8. Isn't it dangerous having all of those aggressive dogs in one place?
   
9. Where is the sanctuary located?
   
10. What's the weather like?
    
11. What are you doing to raise money?
    
12. How can I help?

1. What is an animal sanctuary? An animal sanctuary is a permanent home for animals that have been abused, neglected, obtained or imported illegally, or have simply exceeded their owners' capabilities to care for them. Sanctuaries provide the highest level of care to their animals, including proper nutrition, veterinary care, and enrichment programs. They are closed to the general public, and they do not buy, sell, trade, or breed their animals. (In some cases, sanctuaries may take part in legitimate captive breeding programs for endangered species, however this rarely happens, as so few of these breeding programs ever result in animals being reintroduced into the wild.) In the United States, legitimate sanctuaries are accredited, and possess licenses from the United States Department of Agriculture and state agencies, as well as any necessary local permits. Most sanctuaries are nonprofit (501(c)(3)) corporations registered with the IRS and with their states. They operate entirely on money from grants, donations, and fundraising programs. (back to top)

2. Is there really a need for sanctuaries? Many millions of animals are euthanized each year because there is simply no place for them to go. Dogs and cats represent the majority of casualties, and while most of the rest are small animals like reptiles and birds, larger animals like wolves, bears, and big cats are increasingly common in captivity, and are frequently in need of suitable, permanent homes. While the exact numbers of wild animals in captivity are unknown, we do know that they are tremendously high. We estimate that to house all of the big cats living outside of its accredited zoo system, the United States would need approximately 200-250 sanctuaries. Wolves and wolf-dog hybrids may outnumber big cats ten to one, and captive reptiles and birds number in the millions. (back to top)

3. Where do the animals come from? Domestic animals are everywhere, and there are millions in need of homes at any time, but many people are surprised at just how many wild animals there are in captivity in the US. Zoos and circuses have been importing wildlife to the United States since the mid-1800s; importing animals in those early days was a tremendous undertaking, and captive breeding was a cost-effective solution. As people's understanding of animal biology and behavior grew, more animals were being successfully bred in captivity, and surpluses were generated. These surplus animals were often sold to the general public, or even given away - a practice that continues today. In addition to animals produced by zoos and circuses, importers bring millions of animals into the United States each year, both legally and illegally, and breeders produce millions more for the exotic pet trade. Any animal that can be found in a zoo can also be found in private hands, and the price tags aren't always as high as one would imagine. (Lion and tiger cubs typically cost less than purebred dogs.) Fur farms also surplus their animals on occasion, as it can be more profitable to sell a live animal than a pelt. Additionally, wild animals are held captive to satisfy the market for traditional eastern medicine; most are found in China and parts of Southeast Asia, however there are illegal operations in the United States that deal in wildlife products and body parts for medicinal use. Whenever a wild animal is confiscated by a government agency, it must either be placed into a new home or euthanized. Other animals are voluntarily surrendered by their owners when they realize that they are 'in over their heads'. (back to top)

4. Why can't these animals just be released back into the wild? Captive-born and captive-raised animals rarely have the necessary skills to survive in the wild. Particularly in the case of carnivores, they are unable to obtain food and are easily injured or killed in territorial disputes with their own kind. Additionally, most captive animals lack the healthy fear of human beings that enables their wild counterparts to survive, and many animals have been de-clawed, de-fanged, or de-scented, making self-sufficiency impossible. While it is true that certain species have been successfully reintroduced into their native habitats, most of the animals found in captivity are of mixed origin, and would dilute their species' bloodlines if they were released and allowed to reproduce. (back to top)

5. Do any wild animals make good pets? No - while some animals may be easier to maintain in captivity than others, it is in the fundamental nature of all wild animals to live wild, occupying their unique niches in their natural ecosystems. When wild animals are forced to live in captivity, they are denied a vital component of their nature. Sanctuaries seek to mimic life in the wild as closely as possible while maintaining the safety of animals and humans alike, but even the best facilities cannot give their animals some of the most basic elements of life in the wild, such as the ability to migrate over vast areas, to hunt, or to function within a complex social framework. If you want a pet, adopt a domestic dog or cat - two species that are ideally suited to living with human beings. Be sure to spay or neuter your pets. (back to top)

6. What kind of animals do you have? Originally we planned to create a sanctuary for mammalian carnivores and reptiles, but it has become clear that there are many other species that need our help. We currently focus on domestic dogs and reptiles, but our new property will allow us to rescue exotic birds and possibly some small mammals. Our goal is to eventually have the facility and staff to be able to care for any animal in need. (back to top)

7. What about the dogs? Can't they be adopted? We only accept non-adoptable dogs at Olympic Animal Sanctuary; these include dogs that have been the victims of illegal pit bull fighting, dogs that have killed other animals or injured people, or dogs that have been labeled 'aggressive' by the authorities and are considered a liability if adopted. All the dogs at the Sanctuary would have died if we had not taken them in. (back to top)

8. Isn't it dangerous having all of those aggressive dogs in one place? We don't call them 'aggressive' -- we call them damaged, and we work hard to fix them. As far as the danger, we are very careful to ensure that our dogs are safely contained, and we keep tight control over who is allowed to have contact with them. All the dogs interact with each other, but interaction between certain dogs is always supervised and highly controlled. Thanks to a lot of hard work and ongoing conditioning, most of the Sanctuary dogs are as safe and trustworthy as any other pet dog, and several even take trips to an off-leash dog park to socialize with other canines and people. That said, we don't recommend that anyone try what we do without years of prior experience, and even then, there is considerable risk of being bitten. Unless you are qualified and prepared to rehabilitate damaged dogs full-time, we suggest that you stick with the good natured dogs and leave the rest to the professionals. (back to top)

9. Where is the sanctuary located? We are currently located in Forks, Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula. Our long-term goal is to obtain a much larger property somewhere along the west coast, preferably here on the Peninsula. (back to top)

10. What's the weather like? There are a lot of misconceptions about Washington weather, but rest assured, this area was chosen because of the mild climate. The sanctuary's current location is in Forks, where we have very rainy winters, but the temperature rarely drops below 30 degrees F. On average, our winter lows are the same as those in Dallas, Texas, or Gainesville, Florida. However, our summers are much cooler, less humid, and generally more pleasant. A little farther north on the Olympic Peninsula, where we hope to eventually locate our facility, it is about five degrees warmer on average, and quite a bit drier. We've compared our climate with that of a number of the top animal sanctuaries in the country, and we feel that the coastal Pacific Northwest has an ideal climate for most mammals. Some animals require warmer temperatures at all times, and they are kept indoors, just as they would be in any of the sanctuaries in Texas, California, or other states typically associated with warmer weather. To see our current weather conditions, check out the right-hand side of this page, where we've installed an Accu-Weather display. (back to top)

11. What are you doing to raise money? Our current fundraising efforts take two forms: some of us are working hard to secure major gifts and foundation grants, while others are developing for-profit business ventures for the sole purpose of supporting this project. These are activities aimed at securing the long-term financial stability of the organization. As things move along, we will broaden our fundraising activities to include public promotions, sales, and events. This website is your best source for information and updates. (back to top)

12. How can I help? You can help us reach our goal in a few ways: you can spread the word about this website and give us a link on your homepage or weblog; you can make a donation; you can buy something from our store; if you have special skills or experience that you feel could be helpful to us, please let us know. Feel free to contact us for more specific information regarding our current needs. (back to top)
    

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