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Three black and white spotted pigs stand in tall, green grass eat treats from human hands.

Protected: Farmed Animals In Research: What Can Sanctuaries Do?

This mini-resource looks at farmed animal species in laboratory settings and how sanctuaries can find them homes.
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Don’t Eat That! Preventing Foreign Body Ingestion At Your Animal Sanctuary

Ingesting non-food items can cause your residents serious harm!
An image of a cow and a chicken set against a pastel background. The chicken is looking through a magnifying glass.

How The Open Sanctuary Project Measures Our Impact

Want to learn about how The Open Sanctuary Project's work impacts the rescue, sanctuary, and advocacy communities' work and beyond? Read on!
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Subscribe To The Open Sanctuary Project’s Newsletter

Sign up for our free newsletter here!
Founded in 2005 by a veterinarian and pig enthusiast, GroinGroin & Co. Refuge is a picturesque 12-hectare farm animal sanctuary located in Neuvillette-en-Charnie, France. Though GroinGroin's focus is on giving refuge to pigs and raising awareness about these sensitive animals, other species such as turkeys, chickens, goats, cows, horses, donkeys, dogs, and cats also call GroinGroin their home. Almost 100 animals currently live at GroinGroin. Some were abandoned. Others came from abusive or neglectful situations on farms or were rescued from slaughterhouses. 

Starting with a single farmhouse and a small property, the sanctuary now consists of three farmhouses, six meadows, and specialty housing for each species of animal. GroinGroin will be adding another five hectares of meadowland for the animals in 2023.

Through their education center, special events, and school tour programs, GroinGroin engages in teaching the public about animal exploitation, helps them develop empathy and respect for animals, and encourages the public to live an animal-friendly life. GroinGroin also acts as a pig-information center and runs a relocation program for abandoned and unwanted pigs, a situation to which "miniature pigs" are particularly susceptible. Since its inception, GroinGroin has found homes for over 2,000 animals and has published a freely available online guide to the care of "miniature" pigs.

Conducting Pig Introductions At Your Animal Sanctuary

Important considerations when conducting pig introductions.
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Understanding The Potential Benefits Of Post-Mortem Examinations For Sanctuary Residents

A non-graphic explanation of the post-mortem exam process and what can be learned from them.
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Caring For Pregnant And Lactating Sheep And Goats Part Two: Labor And Delivery

A guide to monitoring and, if needed, assisting with the labor and delivery process.
Keeping rabbit residents healthy and safe. Photo credit: Edgar's Mission

Potential Rabbit Health Challenges

An introductory guide for common rabbit health issues, illnesses, and diseases.
A holstein cow stands in a pasture and drinks water from a tub.

Mooving In! The New Cow Arrival Guide

Everything you need to know about bringing a new cow into your life!
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Crafting Compassionate Euthanasia Policies For Your Animal Sanctuary

Euthanasia is a difficult, but important topic for animal sanctuaries. What do organizations need to think about when writing compassionate end-of-life policies?
The Smallest Flock Sheep Sanctuary is a small sanctuary in Somerset, England dedicated purely to the rescue and happiness of sheep. For more than 20 years, founder Charlotte Reynolds has been running the sanctuary, giving love and affection to each and every sheep she has under her care.

Research Round-Up: A Guide for Farmed Animal Sanctuaries

This resource highlights some Faunalytics research studies that can help farmed animal sanctuaries.
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The Open Sanctuary Podcast: Being Kind To Bees At Your Animal Organization

Our staff discusses how to promote pollinators at animal organizations
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A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education

This resource is a comprehensive 68-page guide that explores the many ways that sanctuary educators can center and teach about resident agency and consent during their education and outreach efforts.
A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education Reflection Workbook (2)

A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education: Reflection Workbook

This is a free downloadable reflection workbook that accompanies "A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education".
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