Looking for a fun and interesting way to spend your vacation while also giving back? Try visiting or volunteering at an animal sanctuary. Vkind has some amazing animal sanctuaries that you can visit on your next vacation. Here are some that you can add to your travel itinerary:

Author: Jasmine Lowe

Vkind Communication Specialist

Sanctuaries In The US

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary is a women-led 501(c)3 organization in Mehoopany, PA. Indraloka, which means “Heaven for the Gods” in Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language), is accredited by both the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), earned in 2016, and the American Sanctuary Association (ASA), earned in 2018.  Indraloka also holds Guidestar’s coveted Platinum Seal for its commitment to financial integrity and transparency.

The Wildcat Sanctuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit rescue sanctuary located in Sandstone, MN. The sanctuary was established in 1999 and is accredited by the American Sanctuary Association and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.  We are also licensed by the USDA and a member of the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance. TWS is also rated as a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator.

Better Piggies Rescue was established in 2017 and is located near Cave Creek, AZ. The organization is one of the only pig-dedicated sanctuaries in Arizona, covering Maricopa County to the northern border of Arizona.

Soulspace Sanctuary is located in New Richmond, WI. Their mission is to rescue farm animals from abuse and neglect, bring awareness to the way society views farm animals, and promote mindful and compassionate living.

Cotton Branch Farm Sanctuary provides a safe haven for abandoned, abused, neglected, and elderly pigs. The organization, located in Leesville, SC, also educates the public on the conditions the typical farm animal lives in on factory and organic farms and why farm animal sanctuaries are needed so badly in the US.

Sanctuaries In The UK

The Farm Animal Sanctuary is located in Evesham, Worcestershire, in the United Kingdom. The sanctuary was established nearly 40 years ago by founder Jan Taylor. Jan visited a livestock market and went on to purchase over 60 animals at several livestock markets in England and Wales after witnessing the horror of their condition. The animals were rushed to vets and received the urgent veterinary care that they so desperately needed. Since then, it has grown exponentially and now cares for hundreds of farm animals in need.

Tower Hill Stables is based at Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex, England, and was founded in 1993. The sanctuary has a mission to provide care and a forever home to animals in need. Today, Tower Hill Stables provides a safe haven for over 450 animals, including pigs, cows, swans, horses, and more.

Foal Farm Animal Rescue is a rescue center based in Kent, England. Their mission is to take in as many sick, distressed, and unwanted animals as possible and restore them to health and happiness. The animals are kept on a 26-acre farm where they are neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and given any other medical assistance necessary. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals are then placed in secure and loving vetted homes.

Farplace Animal Rescue aims to create a network of no-kill rescue centers around the UK and has plans to expand further. The rescue center takes animals from around the UK and Ireland, specializing in more difficult cases like FIV+ cats. They run charity shops and vegans festivals in order to raise money to support nonhuman animals and support sustainability directly.

Yorkshire Cat Rescue does excellent work in West Yorkshire, England, rehoming unwanted and stray cats. They have a no-kill policy, and the charity exists to save the lives of abandoned and unwanted cats and kittens in Yorkshire and parts of Lancashire. 

Other Sanctuaries Around The World

Ashers Farm Sanctuary is located in Pretoria, South Africa, and is open to the public on the weekends. After a tour of the sanctuary, where you get to meet the most beautiful animals, including cows, pigs, goats, horses, sheep, donkeys, chickens, and bunnies, you can sit down to a delicious lunch at the fully vegan restaurant that serves sandwiches, burgers, and desserts. This place even has an in-house shop selling vegan merch.

Ippoasi Animal Sanctuary, located in Pisa, Italy, promotes animal rights and a vegan lifestyle. The sanctuary shelters cows, donkeys, horses, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and wild boars who often suffer from serious physical and psychological traumas. The sanctuary offers them the opportunity to rehabilitate with great success. They offer guided tours to the public without any fee but appreciate donations. 

Sadhana Forest, located in Auroville, India, is a volunteer-run, vegan reforestation community located along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, India. It is also home to a sanctuary for rescued cows, who are some of the best ambassadors for the environment and a plant-based lifestyle. When volunteers and visitors interact with them and learn how gentle and social these animals are, they often change how they see farmed animals.

Edgar’s Mission gives a second chance to over 450 abused and neglected farmed animals near Melbourne, Australia.  Tours are by appointment only, and guests have a chance to connect with the animals and hear their inspirational rescue stories.

Hof Butenland is nestled in the Butjadingen peninsula of Northern Germany. The sanctuary is a retirement home that works to give abused former dairy cows a wonderful life. It also fosters the extraordinary human-animal relationships that can form when these sweet, sensitive creatures are not viewed as food.  The sanctuary offers limited tours on the first and third Saturdays of the month.

You can always trust that you will find more vegan organizations to support on your next travel adventure with Vkind. All you need is to download the app or visit Vkind.com.