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Finding homes for older pets, animals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, large animals needing specialized care, or retired working animals is a challenge for shelters. Thankfully, compassionate individuals have established permanent sanctuaries to ensure these animals enjoy their remaining years in safety and comfort.
1. OLD FRIENDS FARM
While many thoroughbreds are born annually, only a handful achieve racing glory. Some become pets or breeding stock, but even they age. In 2002, the tragic news of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand being sent to a slaughterhouse shocked the public. Michael Blowen, a film critic for The Boston Globe, had been fundraising to create a retirement farm for thoroughbreds. The outcry over Ferdinand's fate generated enough support to establish Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky. Today, this sanctuary is home to 160 retired racehorses, including champions and non-racers, at locations in Georgetown, Franklin, Kentucky, and Greenfield Center, New York. Visitors are welcome daily. Pictured above is Silver Charm, the 1997 Kentucky Derby winner, now residing at Old Friends.
2. CHIMP HAVEN
For many years, the U.S. made significant medical advancements using lab animals, including numerous chimpanzees. As animal testing decreased, research facilities faced an excess of aging chimps. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) established retirement sanctuaries for these chimps, funded by the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection (CHIMP) Act.
Chimp Haven, located in Keithville, Louisiana, serves as the National Chimpanzee Sanctuary, housing over 200 retired research chimpanzees across 200 acres of forested land. The chimps enjoy the freedom to explore, build nests, and socialize as they wish. The sanctuary staff provides veterinary care, balanced nutrition, and enrichment activities to ensure the chimps' well-being.
3. HEARTS THAT PURR
Many elderly individuals are concerned about the future of their cats if they can no longer care for them. In Tucson, Arizona, Hearts that Purr Feline Guardians offers a solution by providing a safe haven for these pets. The cats live in a homely environment, though the demand often exceeds capacity. Founder Jeanmarie Schiller-McGinnis initiated a foster care initiative to address overcrowding, pairing cats with seniors who benefit from companionship. These foster cats remain under the guardianship of Hearts That Purr, ensuring their safety if circumstances change. Some cats are also available for permanent adoption.
4. HOUSE WITH A HEART
Older dogs and those with disabilities often struggle to find homes due to the unique challenges and potential costs they bring. In 2006, Joe and Sher Polvinale transformed their Gaithersburg, Maryland, residence into a sanctuary for these hard-to-adopt dogs. After Joe's passing, Sher continues to manage House with a Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary, a haven for senior and special-needs dogs. With the support of dedicated volunteers, the dogs receive exceptional care and plenty of love.
5. SHEBA'S HAVEN RESCUE
Located in Inverary, Ontario, Canada, Sheba's Haven Rescue serves as both a retirement home and hospice for dogs. It welcomes shelter dogs with terminal illnesses, disabilities, or limited life expectancies, providing them with a nurturing family atmosphere and palliative care. The dogs enjoy three acres of space to roam, and those needing mobility assistance are equipped with orthotics like wheels. On Wednesdays, able dogs visit a nearby nursing home to interact with residents. Sheba's Haven offers a forever home to dogs deemed unadoptable.
6. THE SHANNON FOUNDATION
The Shannon Foundation is a 100-acre farm in St. Clair, Missouri, offering a lifelong home to a variety of retired pets and farm animals. Current residents include dogs, cats, horses, llamas, pigs, goats, chickens, deer, a Fennec fox, and exotic birds. Some animals are special-needs pets from shelters, others arrived after their owners passed away, and some were rescued from abuse. Younger animals, such as sugar gliders, emus, horses, cats, and dogs, are available for adoption.
7. THE CENTER FOR ELEPHANT CONSERVATION
In May 2016, Ringling Bros. Circus retired its final 11 circus elephants to a sanctuary in Florida. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation, located on 200 acres between Tampa and Orlando, is home to 40 Asian elephants, including retirees from the circus since 1995 and their offspring.
8. THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE
Ringling's Florida facility is neither the first nor the largest elephant retirement sanctuary in the U.S. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee houses 13 elephants retired from zoos and circuses, living on over 2700 acres in Hohenwald, Tennessee.
9. ELEPHANT NATURE PARK
Elephant Nature Park, located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, serves as a sanctuary for elephants retired from labor-intensive roles like transportation or rescued from abusive conditions. Funded by tourism, the park also manages elephant care initiatives across Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
10. BIG CAT RESCUE
Many are captivated by the idea of owning an exotic pet, such as a wildcat, but soon realize the challenges: high costs, immense strength, and the need for extensive space and care. Captive-raised wildcats cannot be placed in ordinary shelters or released into the wild.
Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida, offers a lifelong refuge for big cats and exotic wildcats born in captivity. The sanctuary rescues abandoned pets, as well as cats from roadside zoos, circuses, and other distressing environments. Its residents include lions, tigers, leopards, lynxes, cougars, bobcats, servals, and ocelots. Beyond providing a safe haven, Big Cat Rescue advocates against the exotic pet trade, educates the public on wildlife conservation, and maintains an engaging YouTube channel.
