The Open Sanctuary Podcast The Open Sanctuary Project

Research Specialist Amber and Nonprofit Specialist Julia talk about donkeys! Amber explains some of the physiological, behavioral, social, and nutritional needs differences between horses and donkeys and how these impact what caregivers must consider in their day-to-day care of these individuals. We also talk about mules and the traits that make them different from both their horse and donkey parents!


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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

Donkeys: How We Got Here 
Donkeys Are Different: Addressing Their Unique Needs
Donkeys Are Different Infographic
Hello Burro Buddy! The New Donkey Arrival Guide
Creating A Good Home For Donkeys
How To Be Safely Around A Donkey
Techniques And Practices Necessary For Responsible Donkey Care
How To Conduct A Donkey Health Check
Potential Donkey Health Challenges 
Things That Are Toxic For Donkeys 
Creating An Enriching Life For Donkeys
Behavior 101 For Animal Sanctuaries
How Donkeys Get Along With Different Species
Marvelous Mules: Special Care Considerations
Marvelous Mules: Tips For Your Animal Sanctuary Infographic
When It Rains It Pours: Rain Scald
Hair Coat Properties Of Donkeys, Mules And Horses In A Temperate Climate
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Community Education Specialist Andie Springirth and Executive Director Mckenzee Griffler discuss combatting biases that can harm farmed animals. Since much of human thinking, feeling, and behavior is guided by our biases, understanding biases that can negatively impact farmed animals is an important undertaking for animal sanctuaries. As communities that challenge the dominant treatment and sociocultural narrative of farmed animals on a daily basis, sanctuaries can utilize their unique learning spaces alongside a deeper understanding of bias to help folks (re)imagine more compassionate ways of understanding and being in relationship with farmed animals. In addition to exploring what biases are and how they develop, this episode highlights three actionable strategies sanctuaries can use to help folks who participate in their educational programming avoid and overcome biases that can negatively impact farmed animals.
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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:
Understanding Biases that Can Negatively Impact Farmed Animals and How to Help Folks Overcome Them
5 Ways to Combat Biases that Can Harm Farmed Animals Infographic
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Senior Advisor Tara Hess and Community Education Specialist Andie Springirth delve into the topic of goat resident safety. Why goat resident safety specifically? While sanctuary caregivers need to make sure residents of all species are safe, ensuring the safety of goats, in particular, can be a bit tricky, especially if you aren’t aware of the unique safety challenges they face. In addition to discussing some of the unique characteristics, capabilities, and tendencies that could land goats in a dangerous situation, we highlight five specific areas caregivers can focus on to mitigate some of the most serious risks for their goat residents.
 
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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:
Goat Resident Safety Part One: General Safety Considerations
Goat Resident Safety Part Two: Hay Feeder Safety
Observation: An Important Caregiving Tool
Fundamentals Of An Effective Animal Sanctuary Tour Program
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Executive Director Mckenzee Griffler and Nonprofit Specialist Julia Magnus continue discussing animal sanctuary capacity. We review some of the many elements that play a role in determinations around capacity and discuss ways to make it easier for your organization and team when capacity limitations dictate that you say “no,” and discuss other ways your organization can help even when you must decline a rescue request. We also discuss the concept of the “moral remainder” and how you and your team can address challenging emotions when they arise. Please be forewarned that there will be discussions around animal rescue and some of the emotional and complex ethical decisions rescuers must make.
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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:
Determining Your Animal Sanctuary’s Capacity For Responsible Care What Does “Philosophy Of Care” Mean At The Open Sanctuary Project? Understanding Mission And Vision Statements For Your Animal Organization
The Challenges Of Responsible Animal Rescue 
25 Questions To Help Guide Responsible Intake Decisions At Your Animal Sanctuary
How To Create An Effective Rescue Policy For Your Animal Sanctuary Managing Cruelty, Seizure, And Escapee Cases At Your Sanctuary Or Rescue Building And Maintaining A Good Relationship Between Your Animal Sanctuary And Veterinarians
Considering Alternative Living Arrangements In Response To A Health Concern Establishing Safe And Effective Quarantine And Isolation Protocols For Your Animal Sanctuary
Recognizing And Managing Compassion Fatigue At Your Animal Sanctuary Recognizing And Preventing Burnout At Your Animal Sanctuary The Importance Of Regular Health Checks For Residents At Your Animal Sanctuary
Saying Goodbye With Respect and Safety At Your Animal Sanctuary Estimating Species Lifetime Care Costs At Your Animal Sanctuary
Creating An Effective Set Of Contingency Plans For Your Animal Sanctuary Cultivating Resilience At Your Animal Organization In The Face Of Inflation Understanding Your Animal Sanctuary’s Zoning Rights & Restrictions Fostering Positive Relationships Between Animal Sanctuaries Microsanctuary Resource Center 
Accuracy And Transparency: Two Critical Responsibilities Of Your Farmed Animal Sanctuary A Forever Home? Adoption Program Considerations For Animal Sanctuaries Microsanctuary Resource Center 
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Executive Director Mckenzee Griffler and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss an essential metric for all sanctuaries to consider regularly: capacity. In this episode, we discuss many elements that play a role in determining an organization’s capacity, including spatial, quarantine, personnel, financial, regulatory, and emergency response capacity. We talk about how the interplay between these elements can flex and change constantly, which is why it is so important to involve every member of your organization in the discussion of capacity regularly. This is the first episode of a series of conversations about this critical topic, so stay tuned!
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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:
Determining Your Animal Sanctuary’s Capacity For Responsible Care What Does “Philosophy Of Care” Mean At The Open Sanctuary Project? Understanding Mission And Vision Statements For Your Animal Organization
The Challenges Of Responsible Animal Rescue
25 Questions To Help Guide Responsible Intake Decisions At Your Animal Sanctuary
How To Create An Effective Rescue Policy For Your Animal Sanctuary Managing Cruelty, Seizure, And Escapee Cases At Your Sanctuary Or Rescue Building And Maintaining A Good Relationship Between Your Animal Sanctuary And Veterinarians Considering Alternative Living Arrangements In Response To A Health Concern Establishing Safe And Effective Quarantine And Isolation Protocols For Your Animal Sanctuary
Recognizing And Managing Compassion Fatigue At Your Animal Sanctuary Recognizing And Preventing Burnout At Your Animal Sanctuary The Importance Of Regular Health Checks For Residents At Your Animal Sanctuary
Saying Goodbye With Respect and Safety At Your Animal Sanctuary Estimating Species Lifetime Care Costs At Your Animal Sanctuary
Creating An Effective Set Of Contingency Plans For Your Animal Sanctuary Cultivating Resilience At Your Animal Organization In The Face Of Inflation Understanding Your Animal Sanctuary’s Zoning Rights & Restrictions Fostering Positive Relationships Between Animal Sanctuaries Microsanctuary Resource Center 
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Community Education Specialist Andie and Senior Advisor Tara revisit the topic of zoonotic disease, this time with a focus on mitigating the risk of transmission for sanctuary personnel. We start by sharing five measures folks can implement today to help protect personnel and then discuss three additional measures folks can implement that may take a bit more time and consideration but can go a long way in keeping folks safe.
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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:
Understanding Zoonotic Disease: An Overview for Animal Sanctuaries
The Open Sanctuary Podcast: Zoonotic Disease Transmission and Onsite Sanctuary Education
Establishing Safe And Effective Quarantine And Isolation Protocols For Your Animal Sanctuary 
Accessibility for Folks with Physical Disabilities at Your Animal Sanctuary 
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You can send us a question, comment, or topic idea here!
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