Senior Advisor Tara and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss how to take steps to prevent, recognize, and address foreign body ingestion by sanctuary residents. While every resident can be at risk of doing this, the degree of risk can vary, and there are action steps you can take to prevent it!

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This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Don't Eat That! Preventing Foreign Body Ingestion At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project
• Advanced Topics In Resident Health: Heavy Metal Toxicosis In Birds | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Sharing Your Home With Chickens | The Open Sanctuary Project
  
  

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Julia, the Nonprofit Specialist at The Open Sanctuary Project, sits down with friend and colleague Alastor Van Kleeck to launch a new interview series dedicated to sharing the invaluable experience and knowledge of leaders in the sanctuary movement.

Alastor is an advocate, writer, and educator who wears many hats in the rescue community. Alongside their partner Roz, Alastor founded Triangle Chicken Advocates in North Carolina—a sanctuary that cares for chickens, pigs, dogs, and cats while stewarding a mini-food forest for local wildlife. They also cofounded the Microsanctuary Resource Center (MRC), pioneering a new model for sanctuary by inspiring folks to rescue farmed animals using existing resources and building a vibrant community of activist-caregivers.

In this episode, Julia and Alastor dive into a crucial topic for anyone navigating the highs and lows of animal advocacy: the five things Alastor wishes they knew when they first got started in rescue and sanctuary work. Whether you are a seasoned rescuer, a new sanctuary founder, or simply passionate about the movement, this deep dive into the lessons learned along the journey offers essential insights to help folks on the path to lifelong compassionate animal care.

To read more from Alastor, visit microsanctuary.org and StrivingWithSystems.com.

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This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• What Does "Philosophy Of Care" Mean? | The Open Sanctuary Project
• Understanding Mission And Vision Statements For Your Animal Organization | The Open Sanctuary Project
• Fostering Positive Relationships Between Animal Sanctuaries | The Open Sanctuary Project
• Determining Your Animal Sanctuary's Capacity For Responsible Care | The Open Sanctuary Project
• Creating An Effective Set Of Contingency Plans For Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project
• How To Develop A Fundraising Plan For Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project
• How To Raise Money For Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project
• Maintaining a Healthy Rooster Flock | The Open Sanctuary Project
• Additional Care Recommendations For Older Chickens | The Open Sanctuary Project
• Estimating Species Lifetime Care Costs At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project
• A Guide To Safely Catching Stray Birds For Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project
• Microsanctuary Resource Center
• Striving With Systems

Senior Advisor Tara and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss a concerning but critical topic: fire safety at animal sanctuaries, a "stuff of nightmares" scenario we believe is essential for every caregiver to confront. We examine the sobering statistics on structure fires and common causes such as electrical issues and spontaneous hay combustion. We also share practical mitigation steps—from removing flammable cobwebs to coordinating with local fire departments—and emphasize the importance of practicing evacuation drills. Stick with us to get informed and protect your residents and caregivers!

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This Episode's Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Fire Safety At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Creating An Effective Set Of Contingency Plans For Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

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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!