ABTA ANIMAL WELFARE GUIDELINES

NINEANIMAL SANCTUARIESSECTION 9Animal sanctuariesAn animal sanctuary is a facility that rescues injured, confiscated,orphaned or abandoned animals and provides short or long-term refugeand/or rehabilitation.The living conditions for all the animals should comply with animal WelfareQuality® criteria and the guidance manual, Animals in Captive Environments.A detailed business plan should also be in place in order to secure thesanctuary’s long-term financial and operational viability.Guiding principles ofanimal sanctuariesFacilities wanting to be identified asanimal sanctuaries should comply withthe following principles:OperationThe sanctuary should have all relevantregional, national and local governmentpermits and licences.Animal acquisition• Animals may not be purchased.• Animals may only be accepted as a result ofofficial confiscation, by donation or by rescue.• Records should be kept of the sourceof all animals.Removal of animals from facilities• No sale of animals is allowed.• An animal can only move from a sanctuaryto another facility that is demonstrably ofequal or better standards and then only ifrelocation is in the animal’s best interests.• Records should be kept of any disposition(including death) of animals.BreedingSanctuaries should operate a no breedingpolicy and will implement all necessaryhumane birth control measures to ensure this.Commercial activitiesNo commercial exploitation, includingperformances, shows or use of animals asphoto props, is allowed.Handling of animals• No physical contact is allowed betweenvisitors and animals.• Physical contact is only permitted betweenstaff and animals when necessary foressential management/veterinary purposes.Welfare and care• All animals should be kept in clean,comfortable, species-appropriate andenriched environments.• Animal welfare at the sanctuary shouldbe under the active supervision of alicensed veterinarian.33GLOBAL WELFARE GUIDANCE FOR ANIMALS IN TOURISM: A Best Practice Guidance Manual©2013 ABTA