Core Principles of the Microsanctuary Resource Center
From All-Creatures.org Animal Rights/Vegan Activist Strategies Articles Archive
Also see
What Is a Microsanctuary?
Microsanctuary Resource Center begins from a
foundation of ethical veganism and a core belief that liberating individuals
from situations and systems of exploitation is one of the most important
forms of activism that vegans can engage in.
There are many different approaches to rescuing animals of all species,
as well as many variations of what “sanctuary” means in terms of philosophy,
practices, and messaging.
Microsanctuary Resource Center begins from a foundation of ethical veganism
and a core belief that liberating individuals from situations and systems of
exploitation is one of the most important forms of activism that vegans can
engage in.
The following are core principles of Microsanctuary Resource Center and
should be considered basic, necessary criteria for identifying oneself as a
microsanctuary:
- Ethical veganism: The founders and all key individuals of a microsanctuary
should be ethical vegans who are committed to rejecting any form of
non-human exploitation, and advocating that others do the same.
- No consumption of animal products, including from microsanctuary residents:
Just as the humans involved with a microsanctuary must be vegan, there
should also be no use of products from microsanctuary residents. This means
not eating, giving away, or selling eggs, milk, wool, feathers, or other
products: continuing to exploit a non-human is not “rescue,” and a space in
which this happens is not “sanctuary.”
- Rejection of “humane” animal husbandry: Following from a foundation of
ethical veganism and a rejection of all exploitation, a microsanctuary
should never promote or condone consumption of so-called “humane” animal
products, nor pretend that backyard farming is a better alternative than
“factory” farming. (Click here for more on the Humane Myth.)
- Absolutely no breeding of residents, and proper precautions are taken to
avoid breeding (including spay and neuter when appropriate): There are
already far too many domesticated animals in desperate need of rescue from
dire situations, in addition to the many biological problems that most
domesticated animals cannot escape (e.g., unnatural egg-laying rates for
hens). A microsanctuary, founded on ethical veganism, should be committed to
not breeding new domesticated animals. When appropriate and safe,
precautions such as spay/neuter, hormonal implants for hens, etc. should be
utilized.
- Priority is given to the safety and physical and emotional well-being of
residents: It is essential that all microsanctuary residents be kept safe
and receive proper medical care, including preventative care and proper
nutrition. Part of insuring emotional well-being also means making sure that
your microsanctuary has the proper number of residents for the available
space. A hoarding situation is never good for the animals, and it is not a
microsanctuary. For any sanctuaries with horses, this includes a strict
policy against riding.
- All human and non-human interactions are respectful: No sanctuary (and
microsanctuary) should operate like a petting zoo. A resident should never
be presented as an object for human touching, and any resident who is shy or
does not want to be touched/held/hugged/etc. should be treated
appropriately.
- Animals will not be purchased from for-profit sources, and steps will be
taken not to enable farmers to continue exploiting animals: While buying
animals can be said to help the animal in question, paying farmers for
animals supports exploitation of future generations and does not directly
contribute to ending animal agriculture. The goal of rescue and of
sanctuaries should be to end the harmful system of animal agriculture, as
well as to help individual animals in need. Our goal should be to put
ourselves out of business…when there are no more farmed animals who need to
be rescued from exploitation.
- Microsanctuaries will strive to be spaces of collective liberation, where
beings of all species (including humans) can be safe from violence,
oppression, and exploitation: We support humans from all communities to
become participants of this movement for non-humans and encourage
microsanctuary caretakers to also learn about and actively support human
social justice movements.
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