“Under each of these contexts, sanctuary animals face costs in exchange for the benefits of care, simultaneously creating the conditions of possibility for sanctuaries to operate and limiting the realization of total liberation of animal subjects from their social status as property” (p. 50)
Sanctuaries are not only places of refuge, but intricate systems in which the boundaries between the person who rescues and the person being rescued become indistinct, forming a network of interconnectedness and reciprocal support. In this context, animals, formerly seen as simple commodities or objects of human inclination, are acknowledged as autonomous entities with inherent worth, warranting dignity, reverence, and the liberty to exist without constraint. This change in perspective is significant; it signifies a profound deviation from traditional interactions between humans and animals, suggesting a fresh moral structure based on empathy, compassion, and justice.
The narratives surrounding animals such as Flower and Petunia, serve as illustrations of the profound impact that care and rescue may have. These narratives depict not just stories of surviving, but also stories of thriving, where individuals regain their ability to act and make decisions in environments that respect their intrinsic value. Abrell effectively demonstrates that sanctuaries provide a valuable insight into a realm where people and animals may peacefully cohabit, so defying the long-standing societal conventions that have traditionally marginalized animals in terms of moral evaluation.
However, the pursuit of this goal is riddled with intricacies and moral quandaries. In an additional article I read by Abrell, he specifies that “the only real impediment to such change is a value system that doesn’t see human and animal rights as worth the financial cost.” (What Animal Sanctuaries Can Teach Us About Creating Sanctuary for Each Other) For instance, he gives the example that if municipalities are able to enact local ordinances to establish sanctuaries against xenophobic immigration policies, they can also enact ordinances and allocate resources towards constructing more resilient sanctuary communities that can ensure accessible food, shelter, clean air and water, and medical care for all members, including both humans and animals.
Sanctuaries function under the limitations of few resources, carefully managing the trade-off between delivering personalized care and tackling the wider systemic problems that sustain animal distress. The act of rescue, while commendable, gives rise to significant inquiries about autonomy, agency, and the fundamental concept of freedom within the context of sanctuary environments. Moreover, the sanctuary movement encourages us to contemplate our own involvement in systems of exploitation and to contemplate how we may contribute to a fairer and more empathetic society. This prompts individuals to reconsider their food preferences, patterns of consumption, and the cultural narratives that influence their engagements with the natural environment.
As we stand on the precipice of change, let us draw inspiration from the sanctuaries that serve as beacons of hope, reminding us of the profound connections that bind us to the more-than-human world and our furry (sometimes scaled or feathered) friends!!!!
Really stoked to chat with you all about this tomorrow 🙂 x
link to cited article: What Animal Sanctuaries Can Teach Us About Creating Sanctuary for Each Other. 7 Feb. 2022, https://sentientmedia.org/what-animal-sanctuaries-can-teach-us-about-creating-sanctuary-for-each-other/.