TAOS - The Association of Sanctuaries - We accredit superior animal sanctuaries for wild animals, farmed animals, and companion animals and assist animal sanctuaries in providing quality rescue and care for displaced animals who live in an animal sanctuary.

Accreditation

Please visit Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries for updated information.
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Membership Categories

Reputable organizations that house captive animals include a diverse range of types and practices. Not all, strictly speaking, are sanctuaries; nonetheless, they provide a vital service to animals and in conjunction with sanctuaries offer a continuum of venues and programs that promote animal protection as well as attitudinal changes that can lead to a more animal-respecting culture. TAOS seeks to bring together the best representatives from these diverse perspectives as members, all of whom in distinct and compatible ways contribute to a common mission.

There will be five categories of membership, each adhering to core values and purposes stipulated by TAOS and differentiated by the following characteristics:

Accredited Wildlife Sanctuary

A facility that provides permanent care for displaced wildlife and that is either not open to the public or open only in very limited and carefully controlled ways intended to preserve the animals' privacy. Because they have been previously held in inappropriate or exploitive settings and have lost the abilities needed to survive on their own, the animals cannot be returned to a natural habitat. Animals will be transferred to another reputable facility only when dictated by their own best interests.

Accredited Farmed Animal Sanctuary

A facility that provides permanent care for animals typically raised for food or other products or to work on farms and similar settings. It may be open to the public for educational purposes, and people able to provide care equal to that of the sanctuary may adopt animals if the sanctuary permits.

Accredited Companion Animal Sanctuary

An organization that provides permanent care to dogs and cats while attempting to place those who are adoptable into homes that can provide equal or better care (due to the social needs of the animals, which can be best met in home settings).

Accredited Animal Rescue Facility

A facility similar to a wildlife sanctuary except that it is open to the public. It adheres to the following guidelines:

•	Since public access to captive wildlife always runs the risk of conveying a mixed message to people (i.e., respect for animals vs. animals as objects for display), the organization will strive to have staff or volunteers available at various points within the facility to monitor public reactions and to offer information. Such information will, among other things, convey that wildlife ought not be captive and what the circumstances were that resulted in the facility's animals being there; natural history of the species and current threats it faces; and suggestions about appropriate, ethical relations between humans and the rest of the life community.
•	Signage, handouts, and other informational methods and materials will be abundant and, while appealingly presented, strongly reinforce the educational message.
•	Sanctuary staff will model and require of visitors (including children) behavior that is calm, respectful, and attentive–demonstrating, in effect, that they have entered the animals' home and must demonstrate the courtesies expected of a guest.
•	Visitation hours and days will be limited and enclosures structured so that the animals' privacy is not unduly infringed.
•	Any animal who shows discomfort at public access will not be exposed to it.

Approved Animal Placement Facility

A facility that meets TAOS animal care standards but that does not meet other requirements of an accredited facility. When an animal needs placement and no accredited facility is available, he/she may be placed with an Approved organization either temporarily or permanently. (AZA accreditation satisfies this requirement and substitutes for a site visit.)

The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS)

P.O. Box 925, Stillwater, MN 55082

Phone: 763-772-3087 • Fax: 651-275-0457

E-mail: info@taosanctuaries.org • Web Site: http://www.taosanctuaries.org