Animal Sanctuaries You Can Visit!

Wildlife animal sanctuaries are a special place where animals that have been abused or displaced can live out their days in happiness and with care and love.

Sadly, not all animal sanctuaries are as good as they seem to be – and can sometimes offer animals a worse life than the animal may have had before.

The listings below have all been vetted by the CharityPaws team and seem to be great places for animals – and for you to visit and support and learn from!

Arizona

Blue Rose Ranch – Springfield, CO

Dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and training of unwanted horses. Mission is to find or provide “forever” homes for horses, and we also sanctuary horses, as necessary, to their natural or merciful death. No-kill rescue facility.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
http://blueroseranch.org/

Colorado Horse Rescue – Longmont, CO

CHR partners with Animal Control to accept horses in desperate situations, and serves our community by providing owners in personal crisis a last chance for their beloved horses. What differentiates CHR from other rescues is our commitment to a horse once he or she enters our gates. We do our best to make certain that each horse is forever safe. Our effective adoption practices ensure that each horse will go to a good permanent home.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, adoptions, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://www.chr.org/

Longhopes Donkey Shelter – Bennett, CO

Improves the welfare of donkeys via rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming, reduced reproduction and permanent sanctuary of donkeys that would otherwise be at risk for neglect, abuse or death
Certified: GFAS
https://longhopes.org/

Florida

Alaqua Animal Refuge – Freeport, FL

Advocates the general welfare and humane treatment of animals by providing shelter, prevention of pet overpopulation and adoption services for animals including horses and farm animals.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://www.alaqua.org/

Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc – Morriston, FL

Established in 2006, Beauty’s Haven rescues horses that would be considered difficult cases including those horses that have cancer, Cushing’s, birth defects and more.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, adoptions, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://bhfer.org/

Big Cat Rescue Corp – Tampa, FL

Big Cat Rescue is ending the abuse of exotic cats, like lions, tigers, leopards, cougars and bobcats through legislation and education. We provide a permanent home to many species of wild cat, but cannot rescue our way out of this crisis.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://bigcatrescue.org/

Center for Great Apes – Wauchula, FL

The Center for Great Apes’ mission is to provide a permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees who have been rescued or retired from the entertainment industry, from research, or from the exotic pet trade..
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.centerforgreatapes.org/

Georgia

Project Chimps – Morganton, GA

Project Chimps provides lifelong care to former research chimpanzees at its 236-acre forested sanctuary in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://projectchimps.org/

Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue & Sanctuary – Lyerly, GA

Saves horses throughout the Eastern half of the US offering rehabilitation and sanctuary to neglected, abused, starved and unwanted horses. Also serve a herd of completely blind horses who live in safety and comfort.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours
Certified: GFAS
http://redclayrescue.org/

Hawaii

Three Ring Ranch – Kailua-Kona, HI

Exotic animal sanctuary that is home to zebras, nene, hawks, owls, flamingos and reptiles, as well as many other rare, endangered and exotic creatures.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours
Certified: GFAS
http://www.threeringranch.org/

Idaho

Idaho Horse Rescue – Meridian, ID

Rescues horses from abusive or neglectful situations, to rehabilitate them both physically and mentally, and to coordinate adoptions into loving, caring and educated forever homes. Visits can be arranged for those looking to adopt a horse.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://www.idahohorserescue.org/

Illinois

Crosswinds Equine Rescue, Inc – Sidell, IL

Rescues horses in need and works to rehabilitate them so that they can improve their chances of being rehomed.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.cwer.org/

Field of Dreams Horse Rescue & Adoption – St. Charles, IL

Horse rescue that provides a safe haven for abused, neglected, abandoned and relinquished horses. Offers educational programs to help the public see the incredible gifts of beauty, kindness and unconditional love horses have to offer.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.fodonline.org/

Illinois Equine Humane Center – Maple Park, IL

Provides humane treatment and shelter while working as a clearinghouse to seek adoptive homes for all of Illinois’ unwanted equines, regardless of breed.  The ILEHC also seeks to educate the public and raise awareness for responsible equine ownership so that fewer horses end up in crisis.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, tours
Certified: GFAS
http://www.ilehc.org/

Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County – Peotone, IL

Founded to provide shelter and care for mistreated or abandoned horses and other animals. We provide shelter, food, and veterinary services for these animals until a suitable home can be found. As secondary services, we provide educational and therapeutic programs to local schools and charities with and about these animals..
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.illinoishorserescue.org/

Indiana

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary – Albion, IN

Refuge to displaced, captive-raised exotic animals for the rest of their lives and to educate people about responsible animal care and conservation. The 18-acre refuge is home to over 50 species of wildcats, wild canines, primates, reptiles, perching birds, and other non-domestic former pets and displaced animals..
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.bpsanctuary.org/

Uplands Peak Sanctuary – Freedom, IN

A sanctuary for rescued farm animals that promises their residents a forever life fill with love, respect and care.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://uplandspeaksanctuary.org/

Kentucky

Kentucky Equine Humane Center – Lexington, KY

Provides humane treatment and shelter while working to seek adoptive homes and provide second chances for unwanted horses, regardless of breed. Also treats extreme medical conditions that many do not have the resources or expertise for. Every horse goes through retraining before adoption, and our goal is to put the right horse with the right person.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://www.kyeac.org/

Speak Up for Horses – Demossville, KY

Saves horses from slaughter and those from neglectful and/or abusive homes. Work to rehabilitate horses to regain trust and health so that they can be adopted out. If they cannot be adopted, they will remain in the sanctuary for the rest of their lives.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://www.speakupforhorses.org/

Louisiana

Chimp Haven – Keithville, LA

Provides and promotes personalized care for chimpanzees (most of whom were retired from biomedical research) by helping them, for their remaining years, live a good life – the chimp life.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://chimphaven.org/

Maine

Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals – South Windham, ME

Providing refuge, rehabilitation, and placement for abused and neglected horses in Maine.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://www.msspa.org/

Maryland

Days End Farm Horse Rescue – Woodbine, MD

Ensures quality care and treatment of rescue horses. All horses come through animal protection agencies from across Maryland and surrounding states.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://www.defhr.org/

Freedom Hill Horse Rescue – Owings, MD

Committed to saving neglected, abused and unwanted horses that are typically difficult to adopt. These horses are often older, sustained injuries, or developed chronic disease.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://www.freedomhillhorserescue.com/

Gaited Advocate Intervention Team, Inc – Boyds, MD

Formed to meet an ever growing demand for the gaited horse breeds and other equines who have become in danger of being shipped to slaughter, privately owned horses in need of safe haven and at-risk horses that are in the hands of neglectful owners.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
http://www.gaitrrr.org/index.html

Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue – Mount Airy, MD

Rescues draft and draft cross horses from slaughter, abuse, and neglect. Over 100 horses are at the facility at any time and lifetime sanctuary is offered for those horses who are less likely to be adopted
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, internships, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.gentlegiantsdrafthorserescue.org/

Little Longears Mini Donkey Rescue – Westminster, MD

Rescues and cares for donkeys that are unwanted or come from abusive or neglectful homes.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.littlelongears.org/

Massachusetts

Michigan

Barn Sanctuary – Chelsea, MI

Barn Sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected farmed animals by creating a safe haven where these individuals can recover, thrive, and serve as an example for why we strive to lead society towards a plant-based lifestyle.
Opportunities: tours and volunteering
Visit Barn Sanctuary 

2 | Sasha Farm – Manchester, MI

SASHA Farm is the midwest’s largest farm animal sanctuary. A variety of animals such as goats, horses, sheep, birds, pigs and more are provided food and water, veterinary care and a roof over their heads for as long as it is needed.
Opportunities: tours and volunteering
Visit Sasha Farm 

Minnesota

Missouri

North Carolina

New Hampshire

Draft Gratitude – Winchester, NH

​Saving Draft Horses From Slaughter by providing a second chance and a place to call home. Once rehabilitated, these horses are paired with qualified adoptive homes to be used for light work including farming, homesteading, pleasure driving and riding, and companionship. Horses that are not able to be adopted for any reason will live our their lives in our care.
Opportunities: adoption & visits by appointment
Certified: GFAS
https://www.draftgratitude.com/

Live and Let Live Farm Rescue and Sanctuary- Chichester, NH

​We help abused, homeless and unwanted animals, including animals belonging to humans who have come onto hard times such as job loss, sickness or death. A rehab, rescue and sanctuary that specializes in horses and companion animals.
Opportunities: adoptions, tours, volunteering
Certified: GFAS
https://www.liveandletlivefarm.org/

New Jersey

Rancho Relaxo – Woodstown, NJ

Focus is bringing unwanted, slaughter-bound, abused, neglected, abandoned, discarded and orphaned animals to safety and educating the public through their stories. A smaller sanctuary that is home to pigs, goats, birds and more.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.ranchorelaxonj.org/

Saddlebred Rescue, Inc – Hardwick, NJ

At Saddlebred Rescue,  we buy all horses in its program, mostly from auctions and sales where they were slaughter-bound. We have our own professional trainer who works with each horse to evaluate and design a schooling program to help the horse become as adoptable as possible.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, internships, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://www.saddlebredrescue.com/

New Mexico

End of the Road Ranch Horse Rescue – Silver City, NM

Created to provide a safety net for equines at risk of slaughter, abuse or neglect a safe and natural home for the remainder of their life if a suitable loving forever home cannot be found. 
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.endoftheroadrescue.org/

The Horse Shelter – Cerrillos, NM

The Horse Shelter serves as a sanctuary for New Mexico’s abandoned, abused and neglected horses. Rescued horses will be rehabilitated and adopted out whenever possible to environments that support their well-being and future long-term care.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://thehorseshelter.org/

New York

Catskill Animal Sanctuary – Saugerties, NY

Mission is to rescue farm animals, ignite social change to end their exploitation, and to champion vegan living. 
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://casanctuary.org/

Sunshine Horses, Inc – Clay, NY

Specializes in retraining and re-homing retired Standardbred Racehorses. However, they work with all breeds and prepare them for their “forever” homes. 
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://www.sunshinehorses.org/

Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation – Coxsackie, NY

Devoted to protecting Thoroughbreds from abuse,  drugging, neglect, suffering, and slaughter. We rescue, redeem, re-home, and provide sanctuary for Thoroughbreds.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, internships, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
http://www.susankayne.com/foundation.html

Woodstock Farm Sanctuary – High Falls, NY

Rescues farmed animals and give them care and sanctuary, connect animals with people to advance veganism, and advocate for animal rights in alliance with other social justice movements.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, internships, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
http://woodstocksanctuary.org/

Ohio

Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary – Ravenna, OH

Rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes criminally abused, neglected and abandoned farm animals.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, internships, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
https://happytrailsfarm.org/

Oregon

Skydog Sanctuary – Prineville, OR

Rescues at-risk mustangs and wild burros from neglect, abuse and starvation as well as special needs wild horses rounded up by the BLM. Nurses them back to health and releases them to the 9000 acre sanctuary. Additional locations include Malibu and Mariposa CA.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://www.skydogranch.org/

Wild Cat Refuge – Scotts Mills, OR

Provides a safe, natural lifetime home for captive-born wildcats in need. WildCat Ridge Sanctuary is not open to the public; nor do we buy, sell, breed, or exhibit our animals. It’s a philosophy we believe in and stand by for the safety and well-being of the wildcats.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tour experiences are available through AirBnB Experiences
Certified: GFAS
https://wildcatridgesanctuary.org/

Equamore Foundation – Ashland, OR

The Equamore Foundation provides rescue and sanctuary for neglected, abused, and abandoned horses who have no other alternative for life. Each day our Sanctuary pushes back against cruelty and indifference. Our mission of kindness and respect for the dignity of all life is vital and universal.
Opportunities: tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.equamore.org/

Pennsylvania

Ryerss Farm for Aged Equine – Pottstown, PA

Cares for aged, abused or injured horses, providing a home where they can spend their golden years out to pasture.  The horses are never worked, go to auction or are used for experiments. They simply spend their days grazing and enjoying life with their friends, as part of the herd.
Opportunities: tours, volunteering
Certified: GFAS
https://www.ryerssfarm.org/

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary – Dalton, PA

Rescues and provides lifetime care for the most at-risk animals in the world – farm animals facing abuse, neglect, hoarding, and worse..
Opportunities: tours, volunteering, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://indraloka.org/

Rhode Island

New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary – Hope Valley, RI

Rescues and protects unwanted and abused companion parrots and other displaced exotics. Offers life-long care to un-adoptable parrots and other animals at our permanent care facility and provides adoption services for well-socialized parrots who desire human companionship.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoption, tours, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://www.fosterparrots.com/

South Carolina

Cotton Branch Farm Animal Sanctuary – Leesville, SC

Provides a safe haven for abandoned, abused, neglected, and elderly pigs.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoption, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.rabbitsanctuaryinc.org/

Rabbit Sanctuary Inc – Simpsonville, SC

Provides a forever life to rescued domestic rabbits on a 30 acre sanctuary.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.rabbitsanctuaryinc.org/

Tennessee

The Elephant Sanctuary – Hohenwald, TN

The Elephant Sanctuary offers 2,700 acres of land to house Asian and African elephants that have retired from performance and exhibitions.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://www.elephants.com/

Horse Haven of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN

Rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home neglected or abused equine through programs of shelter, adoption, education, and assistance..
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://horsehaventn.org/

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Vine Sanctuary – Springfield, VT

VINE Sanctuary offers refuge to animals who have escaped or been rescued from the meat, dairy and egg industries or other injurious circumstances, such as cockfighting and zoos. Sanctuary residents include chickens, cows, ducks, doves, geese, pigeons, sheep, emus and even a few parakeets.
Opportunities: volunteering
Certified:
http://vine.bravebirds.org/

Virginia

Blue Horse Mukwa Equine Rescue and Retirement Center – Chase City, VA

Lifetime care facility for horses that have are considered past their prime by their former owners. Also takes in horses that have been abused, abandoned, neglected and have off the track standardbreds and thoroughbreds.
Opportunities: volunteering, internships, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://www.bluehorsemukwa.org/

Brook Hill Farm – Forest, VA

Horse rescue and sanctuary that allow un-adoptable horses to live out their days on the farm and also provides emotional and physical rehabilitation to increase chances of horses being placed in forever homes.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, tours, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://brookhillfarm.org/

Diamonds In The Rough Equine Rescue – Windsor, VA

Takes in horses that are surrendered by their owners due to hardship, illness etc. Also works with animal control to remove horses from abusive homes.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, tours, internships
Certified: GFAS
http://adoptditr.org/

Project Perry – Louisa, VA

Dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary of parrots living in captivity. Providing natural environments for residents so they can enjoy life like they would in their natural habitats.
Opportunities: volunteering, tours, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://www.projectperry.com/

Washington

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest – Cle Elum, WA

Provides sanctuary for chimpanzees discarded from the entertainment and biomedical testing industries.
Opportunities: tour dates for members only throughout the year, volunteer, internships
Certified: GFAS
https://chimpsnw.org/

Skagit Animals In Need – Bow, WA

Focuses on large animals and livestock seized in neglect and cruelty cases, or released to animal control or law enforcement by the owners. We provide much-needed funding and resources to support law enforcement and animal control in the fostering, rehabilitation, care, and adoption of these animals.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions
Certified: GFAS
http://skagitanimalsinneed.org/

Wolf Haven International – Tenino, WA

Wolf Haven rescues captive-born wolves and provides them with compassionate care, companionship with fellow wolves, and a safe home for the rest of their lives. There are usually 50-70 animals living in the sanctuary.
Opportunities: volunteering, internship, tours
Certified: GFAS
https://wolfhaven.org/

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation – Pittsville, WI

Dedicated to finding homes for horses who would otherwise have a hard time finding a good, safe home. That is our only purpose. We are not horse dealers or traders and are not a market for backyard breeders.
Opportunities: volunteering, adoptions, tours
Certified: GFAS
http://www.equineadoption.com/

What Is A Certified Animal Sanctuary?

Animal sanctuaries that are certified have shown their dedication for caring for animals under strict guidelines by the organizations that provide the accreditation.

The most popular is the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries whose accreditation process is strict and lets donors and supporters know which sanctuaries are providing the best care.