As a Sanctuary we are frequently asked to rescue new animals. We are often contacted by other rescue organizations, various shelters, SPCA’s and the public. The majority of the individuals who reach out to us do so on their own, or on behalf of a friend, or family member.
Lately however, there has been a growing number of people sending us ads for animals that are for sale and either urging us to buy the animals to save them from certain death, or stating that they need help raising money to buy the animals themselves which they then wish to surrender to our Sanctuary. This new “buying rescued animals” trend is increasing at a rather alarming rate and thus we feel that it’s important to address the issue and educate the public about why purchasing animals is actually counterproductive to the cause.
Saving the life of an animal that is facing unnecessary death is certainly admirable, however when rescuing by means of purchasing him or her, you are essentially paying for his/her replacement. When you buy an animal from a producer, for whatever purpose, you are perpetuating the cycle of exploitation.
If someone were to go looking for animals for sale, especially farm animals which are being sold for slaughter every single day, they would easily find an endless supply. However, paying money to save those animals would essentially fund the very industries which majority of those reaching out and asking for our help oppose, and thus purchasing them would only create more demand. Buying a calf to save them from slaughter is no different than buying a puppy from a puppymill because those animals will all inevitably be replaced by others in just as dire circumstances as long as it’s deemed profitable to do so.
And it’s not just individuals who are doing this, there are actually a number of different rescue organizations, many of which regularly use crowd funding to raise money to buy animals from auctions or other sales sites. A number of horse rescue organizations regularly acquire their horses this way, many of which are later sold to other buyers. Some sanctuaries are also jumping on the buying bandwagon, but purchasing a farm full of animals does not a Sanctuary make. Not only is it counterproductive to the cause to “rescue” animals by means of purchase, but it’s also not deemed charitable to do so under Canadian Law as set forth by the Charities Directorate, a division of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
The fact is that there are more than enough animals in need of legitimate rescue and rehoming that there is absolutely no reason to have to pay blood money to save lives.
Please share this message to help us educate those who may have their heart in the right place, but are misguided with their actions.
