Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia celebrate our eight years of operation by discussing the year in review at The Open Sanctuary Project. We know that our audience of compassionate caregivers are often caught up in the day-to-day work of direct care for animals, so this is your chance to catch up with what's new this year in freely accessible resources to help you do the work of operating your organization and caring for your residents! To get a rundown on the work we've done this year to help you, check out this episode!

---

This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• The Open Sanctuary Project's Animal Database

• The Open Sanctuary Project's AI Tool Usage Policy

• When Cows Can't Stand: Understanding Causes And Making Sure You Are Prepared To Help

• Daily Observation For Alpaca Health And Well-Being

• Daily Observation For Llama Health And Well-Being

• Addressing Equine Hoof Abscesses (vet reviewed)

• Understanding Flight Zone, Pressure Zone, And Point Of Balance In Sheep And Goats

• Pig Vision: More Than Meets The Eye

• A Cow's Eye View

• Ocular Insights: Alpaca And Llama Vision

• A Goat's-Eye View: How Goats See the World

• The Open Sanctuary Project's Case For Support

• How The Open Sanctuary Project Measures Our Impact

---

You can learn more about our organization here!

You can send us a question, comment, or topic idea here!

Want more Open Sanctuary Content? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Want to support our nonprofit's work? Donate here!

Nonprofit Specialist Julia and Senior Advisor Tara talk more about turkeys! Building on our last discussion of how turkeys got here and how domestication has impacted them, we talk about the considerations sanctuaries and rescues should keep in mind when welcoming a new turkey resident to ensure all their needs are met!
---

This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Gobble Greetings: New Turkey Arrival Guide | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Creating A Good Home For Turkeys | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Domesticated Turkeys: How We Got Here | The Open Sanctuary Project

• How to Conduct a Turkey Health Check | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Predator-Proofing For Bird Residents At Your Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Establishing Safe And Effective Quarantine And Isolation Protocols For Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Daily Observation For Turkey Health And Well-Being | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Electrical Safety Basics For Farmed Animal Sanctuaries | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Understanding Infectious Disease | The Open Sanctuary Project

---

You can learn more about our organization here!

You can send us a question, comment, or topic idea here!

Want more Open Sanctuary Content? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Want to support our nonprofit's work? Donate here!

Community Education Specialist Andie and Dr. Emily Tronetti of the Institute for Human Education led a special presentation on October 22nd, 2025 on how to nurture farmed animal agency and consent in sanctuary education. This is the audio recording of that presentation.

---

This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Webinar: Agency-Centered Sanctuary Education: Transformative Practices for Nurturing Empathetic Connections Between Humans and Farmed Animals

• The Open Sanctuary Podcast - Introduction to Agency with Dr. Emily Tronetti | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Open Sanctuary Podcast - Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education, Part One with Dr. Emily Tronetti | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Open Sanctuary Podcast - Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education, Part Two with Dr. Emily Tronetti | The Open Sanctuary Project

• An Introduction To Fostering Agency In Farmed Animals At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education: Asking Other Animals for Consent Handout | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education: Reflection Workbook | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education: Part One | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education: Part Two | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education: Part Three | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education: Part Four | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education: Part Five | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide to Fostering Farmed Animal Agency in Sanctuary Education: Part Six | The Open Sanctuary Project

---

You can learn more about our organization here!

You can send us a question, comment, or topic idea here!

Want more Open Sanctuary Content? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Want to support our nonprofit's work? Donate here!

Nonprofit Specialist Julia and Senior Advisor Tara talk turkeys! In the first part of our Turkey series, we discuss how domesticated turkeys got here and how that influences their care, as well as many of the considerations that you need to take into account when welcoming a new turkey resident to your sanctuary or rescue!
---

This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Gobble Greetings: New Turkey Arrival Guide | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Creating A Good Home For Turkeys | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Domesticated Turkeys: How We Got Here | The Open Sanctuary Project

• How to Conduct a Turkey Health Check | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Predator-Proofing For Bird Residents At Your Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Establishing Safe And Effective Quarantine And Isolation Protocols For Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Daily Observation For Turkey Health And Well-Being | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Electrical Safety Basics For Farmed Animal Sanctuaries | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Understanding Infectious Disease | The Open Sanctuary Project

---

You can learn more about our organization here!

You can send us a question, comment, or topic idea here!

Want more Open Sanctuary Content? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Want to support our nonprofit's work? Donate here!

Nonprofit Specialist Julia and Community Education Specialist Andie talk about how you might encounter requests outside of the scope of your mission or your capacity generally, and in particular when those requests concern wild living animals. We offer a framework where you can say no, while still offering support, and also what to do when you feel you must say yes! Andie offers additional guidance on safely assisting wild living animals while prioritizing sanctuary staff and resident safety as well!
---

This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Compassionate Wildlife Practices At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Compassionate Wildlife Practices At Your Sanctuary Infographic | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Managing Requests to Take In and Help an Animal Outside the Scope of Your Sanctuary's Mission | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Biosecurity Part 1: Introduction | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Biosecurity Part 2: Creating And Implementing A Biosecurity Plan | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Going Green: Your Animal Sanctuary and The Environment | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Determining Your Animal Sanctuary's Capacity For Responsible Care | The Open Sanctuary Project

• How To Create An Effective Rescue Policy For Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

---

You can learn more about our organization here!

You can send us a question, comment, or topic idea here!

Want more Open Sanctuary Content? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Want to support our nonprofit's work? Donate here!

Nonprofit Specialist Julia and Community Education Specialist Andie discuss the importance of peaceful and compassionate coexistence with wildlife. Whether it's through careful environmental management, robust predator protection for residents, stringent biosecurity protocols, or engaging educational programs, animal sanctuaries can be at the forefront of demonstrating how humans and wildlife can truly share space compassionately. It's about recognizing the interconnectedness of all living beings and actively working to create a safe and harmonious environment for everyone. Just as a gardener carefully tends to a diverse array of plants, cultivating each one to thrive while also fostering a healthy ecosystem that supports beneficial insects and wildlife, a sanctuary cultivates a compassionate environment where all residents —both wild and domesticated — can flourish together.
---

This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Compassionate Wildlife Practices At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Compassionate Wildlife Practices At Your Sanctuary Infographic | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Late Elementary-Age Sanctuary Education Lesson Plan #3 | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Managing Requests to Take In and Help an Animal Outside the Scope of Your Sanctuary's Mission | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Predator-Proofing For Bird Residents At Your Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Biosecurity Part 1: Introduction | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Biosecurity Part 2: Creating And Implementing A Biosecurity Plan | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Going Green: Your Animal Sanctuary and The Environment | The Open Sanctuary Project

---

You can learn more about our organization here!

You can send us a question, comment, or topic idea here!

Want more Open Sanctuary Content? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Want to support our nonprofit's work? Donate here!

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia dedicate an episode to a specific bird type: Pigeons! Pigeons may not be the first animals you think of when it comes to sanctuary, but they are very special individuals who, for many reasons, may find themselves in need of sanctuary, and they deserve individualized, compassionate care. We discuss some of their background, behaviors, and needs, and ways you can help them!

---

This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Language Choices At The Open Sanctuary Project | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Pigeons: How We Got Here | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Guide To Safely Catching Stray Birds For Your Animal Sanctuary Or Rescue Part I: Supplies Helpful For The Safe Capture Of Birds | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Predator-Proofing For Bird Residents At Your Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Why Residents Shouldn't Breed At A Farmed Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Microsanctuary Resource Center

• Palomacy

---

You can learn more about our organization here!

You can send us a question, comment, or topic idea here!

Want more Open Sanctuary Content? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Want to support our nonprofit's work? Donate here!