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. --- 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  --- 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 Griffler and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss some of the issues that can make fundraising an emotional challenge for those who come from a caregiver background. We also talk about the intersections between fundraising, capacity and storytelling, how to find a balance between these elements, and how we can bring some "fun" into fundraising. --- This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources: Understanding Mission And Vision Statements For Your Animal Organization Determining Your Animal Sanctuary’s Capacity For Responsible Care The Challenges Of Responsible Animal Rescue Estimating Species Lifetime Care Costs At Your Animal Sanctuary Accuracy And Transparency: Two Critical Responsibilities Of Your Farmed Animal Sanctuary How To Raise Money For Your Animal Sanctuary How To Develop A Fundraising Plan For Your Animal Sanctuary Cultivating Resilience At Your Animal Organization In The Face Of Inflation Fostering Positive Relationships Between Animal Sanctuaries Financial Measures For Animal Sanctuaries In The United States Impacted By The COVID-19 Outbreak (As Of April 7, 2020) Year-End Fundraising For Your Animal Organization A Complete Guide To Major Donor Fundraising At Your Animal Sanctuary Developing A Grant Program At Your Animal Sanctuary Creative Fundraising For Sanctuaries Infographic Microsanctuary Resource Center  --- 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! Or, buy designs to support and spread our mission here!

In this episode of The Open Sanctuary Podcast, “Sharing A New Framework For Understanding Roosters,” Senior Advisor Tara and Nonprofit Specialist Julia continue their rooster stigma discussion, debunking common rooster myths and stereotypes. We share ways that you as a sanctuary can actively bust rooster stigma through the adoption of careful language use, thoughtful educational programming, and considering how you approach your rooster residents in your day-to-day care practices!  --- This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources: Introduction To Rooster Behavior Part I: Dismantling Rooster Stigma Chickens: How We Got Here Maintaining A Healthy Rooster Flock Breaking The Mold: How Animal-Centered Design Can Transform Sanctuaries Fun Facts About Roosters Infographic Dismantling Rooster Stigma Infographics The Open Sanctuary Project’s So You Want To Rescue A Rooster Brochure --- 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!

In this episode of The Open Sanctuary Podcast, Senior Advisor Tara and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss some common myths about roosters that perpetuate rooster stigma. We address several common misconceptions, stigmas, and stereotypes about roosters, dismantle them one by one, and offer a new framework for understanding rooster behavior. --- This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources: Introduction To Rooster Behavior Part I: Dismantling Rooster Stigma Chickens: How We Got Here Maintaining A Healthy Rooster Flock Breaking The Mold: How Animal-Centered Design Can Transform Sanctuaries Fun Facts About Roosters Infographic Dismantling Rooster Stigma Infographics The Open Sanctuary Project’s So You Want To Rescue A Rooster Brochure --- 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!

In this episode of The Open Sanctuary Podcast, Community Education Specialist Andie Springirth and Senior Advisor Tara Hess delve into zoonotic disease transmission. What are zoonoses, and what are the ways in which they can spread? Why is it important to understand zoonotic disease transmission from an educational standpoint, and what are some of the most meaningful ways sanctuary educators can prevent it in their onsite learning spaces with guests? Listen to this episode to learn more!   Content Warning - This podcast includes references to child death and may not be suitable for all listeners. The team briefly discusses child death as a possible consequence of zoonotic disease between the 22 and 22:30 minute markers.  --- This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources Understanding Zoonotic Disease: An Overview for Animal Sanctuaries Fundamentals of an Effective Animal Sanctuary Tour Program In-Person Sanctuary Educational Programming: What Are Your Options? The Differences Between an Animal Sanctuary and a Petting Zoo Understanding Biases that Can Negatively Impact Farmed Animals and How to Help Folks Overcome Them --- 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!

Senior Advisor Tara and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss the practical considerations of caring for indoor chickens. In our last episode on the subject of indoor chickens, we talked about why caring for chickens in this way is a great idea for the chickens, for caregivers, and for the movement. In this episode, we’re talking practice and the nitty gritty! We’ll share some of the things you’ll want to consider when you live with your feathered friends indoors, as well as some of our personal experiences with things that work, things to look out for, and how to make this special kind of relationship positive for everyone! And yes, we’ll talk about poop! --- This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources: Sharing Your Home With Chickens The Open Sanctuary Project’s “Indoor Chicken” Informational Brochure Compassionate Care Classroom Basic Chicken Care Courses Chickens: How We Got Here Basic Chicken Care Suggested Curriculum Techniques And Practices Necessary For Responsible Chicken Care Things That Are Toxic To Chickens The Open Sanctuary Project’s Global Toxic Plant Database Daily Observation For Chicken Health And Well-Being Introduction To Supportive Care For Chickens With Disabilities: Non-Ambulatory Residents - Part 1 Introduction To Supportive Care For Chickens With Disabilities: Non-Ambulatory Residents - Part 2 Introduction To Supportive Care For Chickens With Disabilities: Non-Ambulatory Residents - Part 3 Additional Care Recommendations For Older Chickens Predator-Proofing For Bird Residents At Your Sanctuary  The Care Of Chickens In Extreme Cold Advanced Topics In Resident Health: Avian Influenza Creating An Enriching Life For Chickens The Microsanctuary Resource Center --- 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!

Senior Advisor Tara and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss why we should consider caring for chickens as indoor companions! Keeping chickens inside may sound strange for people outside of the sanctuary world, although more and more people are realizing that chickens can make great indoor companions. In fact, sometimes taking care of chickens indoors has been a major impetus for some folks to fully recognize the beauty of having a close relationship with chickens and changing their relationship to what they formerly considered to be “farmed animals” in life-changing ways! Keeping chickens as indoor companions can have a number of benefits for both the birds and their caregivers. We’ll talk about those benefits in this episode and our personal experiences caring for chickens indoors. --- This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources: Sharing Your Home With Chickens The Open Sanctuary Project’s “Indoor Chicken” Informational Brochure Compassionate Care Classroom Basic Chicken Care Courses Chickens: How We Got Here Basic Chicken Care Suggested CurriculumTechniques And Practices Necessary For Responsible Chicken Care Things That Are Toxic To Chickens Daily Observation For Chicken Health And Well-Being Introduction To Supportive Care For Chickens With Disabilities: Non-Ambulatory Residents - Part 1 Introduction To Supportive Care For Chickens With Disabilities: Non-Ambulatory Residents - Part 2 Introduction To Supportive Care For Chickens With Disabilities: Non-Ambulatory Residents - Part 3 Additional Care Recommendations For Older Chickens Predator-Proofing For Bird Residents At Your Sanctuary The Care Of Chickens In Extreme Cold Advanced Topics In Resident Health: Avian Influenza Creating An Enriching Life For Chickens The Microsanctuary Resource Center --- 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, Research Specialist Amber, and Community Education Specialist Andie discuss animal sanctuary and rescue collaboration considerations with animal shelters. While the word “shelter” can be evocative for many, and many folks may have a lot of feelings about them, it’s important to realize that shelters are often an essential point of contact when it comes to saving the lives of animals in need. They are frequently a first point of entry for animals in need of assistance, and they can be a critical ally to your animal organization! Have a listen to learn more about how your organization can develop and maintain relationships with shelters so you can maximize your helpful impact for animals! --- This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources: A Starter Guide To Terminology Around Animal Care Spaces A Starter Guide To Understanding And Working With Animal Shelters For Animal Sanctuaries Managing Requests To Take In And Help An Animal Outside The Scope Of Your Sanctuary’s Mission Determining Your Animal Sanctuary’s Capacity For Responsible Care Fostering Positive Relationships Between Animal Sanctuaries Managing Cruelty, Seizure And Escapee Cases At Your Sanctuary Or Rescue Building And Maintaining A Good Relationship Between Your Animal Sanctuary And Veterinarians --- 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 Griffler, Community Education Specialist Andie Springirth, and Nonprofit Specialist Julia Magnus delve into the question of mission and vision statements. Why are these two simple sentences so important for the internal operations of animal organizations, both grassroots and nonprofit? How do they help your organization interact with the community more collaboratively and productively? And how do you integrate both your internal and external community into crafting mission and vision statements thoughtfully? Listen to this episode to learn more about this important topic for animal sanctuaries and rescues! --- This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources: Understanding Mission And Vision Statements For Your Animal Organization Weighing The Costs And Benefits Of Nonprofit Status Conflict Support For Your Animal Organization: Understanding Dominant Culture, How It Shapes Our Behaviours, And Envisioning Alternatives Conflict Support For Your Animal Organization: Building Transformative Relationships And Tools For Challenging Dominant Culture In Everyday Interactions Managing Requests to Take In and Help an Animal Outside the Scope of Your Sanctuary’s Mission Strategic Planning for Educational Programming at Your Animal Sanctuary  In-Person Sanctuary Educational Programming: What Are Your Options? Virtual Sanctuary Educational Programming: What Are Your Options? --- 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!

Senior Advisor Tara and Nonprofit Specialist Julia talk about the many considerations that go into protecting avian residents from predators. We’ll touch on the risks that predators present, how to familiarize yourself with predator types in your environment, and how to site avian living spaces appropriately. We’ll also talk about the importance of impenetrable overnight living spaces and infrastructure that can secure the perimeter of avian living spaces in the daytime. Finally, we also talk about protocols caregivers can use to maintain this infrastructure and ensure ongoing predator-proof living spaces! --- This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources: Predator Proofing For Bird Residents At Your Sanctuary The Caregivers Guide To Developing Your Observation Skills  Good Home Series For All Covered Species Creating An Enriching Life For Chickens Compassionate Wildlife Practices At Your Animal Sanctuary Resources On Avian Influenza --- 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!