Community Education Specialist Andie and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss zoning laws and their importance to animal sanctuary and rescue work! We’ve done a few podcast episodes about capacity variables, and zoning is often touched upon. While zoning may not be the first thing you think about in terms of capacity limits, it’s critical for you to understand the zoning laws governing your property’s land. Zoning can impact the number and type of residents you can have, how many buildings you can have and where you put them, whether or how you can hold large events, and many other factors! Listen on to learn more!

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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Understanding Your Animal Sanctuary's Zoning Rights & Restrictions | The Open Sanctuary Project

• A Forever Home? Adoption Program Considerations For Animal Sanctuaries | The Open Sanctuary Project

• What Is A Land Survey And How Can It Help Your Animal Organization? | The Open Sanctuary Project

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In this episode, The Open Sanctuary Project’s Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss the importance of language choices. Language is how we interface with and categorize the world around us. Our choice of language plays a significant role in how we consider others, so your language choices can have a tangible impact on promoting your mission and vision! We talk about how we use principles of respect and accessibility to guide our language choices at OSP, and we offer examples and explanations of terms and phrases that you can use at your organization to help flip the script when talking about animals!

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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Language Choices At The Open Sanctuary Project | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Importance Of Language Choices At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Glossary of Common Terms | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Maintaining A Healthy Rooster Flock | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Introduction To Rooster Behavior Part 1: Dismantling Rooster Stigma | The Open Sanctuary Project

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Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss the cases for and against adoption policies at your animal organization and the considerations you must consider when implementing one. We talk about vetting homes, the paperwork you should have in place, the templates we have to help you, and more! To learn even more about how your organization could potentially increase your capacity through adoption, listen to this episode!

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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• A Forever Home? Adoption Program Considerations For Animal Sanctuaries | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Open Sanctuary Project's Sanctuary Resident Adoption Application Template | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Open Sanctuary Project's Sanctuary Resident Adoption Contract Template | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Open Sanctuary Project’s Sanctuary Resident Adoption Record | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Microsanctuary Resource Center

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Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss three administrative tools that are helpful (and in some cases necessary) for the effective administration of your animal organization: board bylaws, registered agents, and land surveys!

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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Nonprofit Board Basics For Animal Sanctuaries | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Board Resources For Animal Sanctuaries | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Animal Defense Partnership’s Model Bylaws Template | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Open Sanctuary Project’s Animal Sanctuary Board Member Job Description | The Open Sanctuary Project

• How Registered Agents Can Help Your Animal Organization | The Open Sanctuary Project

• What Is A Land Survey And How Can It Help Your Animal Organization | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Understanding Your Animal Sanctuary’s Zoning Rights And Restrictions | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Site Planning At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Animal Defense Partnership

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Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss ten critical questions that you should ask yourself before you start a sanctuary! This resource is excellent for those new to the sanctuary movement and a helpful refresher for established sanctuaries and rescue organizations. It serves as a guide to some of the many considerations you will need to consider as you embark upon or continue to provide forever lifelong compassionate care to animals. Along the way, we will point you to our free resources, which will help you tackle these questions more easily!

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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• So, You Want To Start A Farmed Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Open Sanctuary Project's 'So You Want To Start A Sanctuary' Brochure | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Estimating Species Lifetime Care Costs At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Recognizing And Managing Compassion Fatigue At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Recognizing And Preventing Burnout At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Determining Your Animal Sanctuary's Capacity For Responsible Care | The Open Sanctuary Project

• How To Create An Effective Rescue Policy For Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Resources On Budgeting And Fundraising | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Fostering Positive Relationships Between Animal Sanctuaries | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Resources On Volunteer And Worker Considerations | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Accuracy And Transparency: Two Critical Responsibilities Of Your Farmed Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• An Introduction To Educational Opportunities Well-Suited For Microsanctuaries | The Open Sanctuary Project

• The Microsanctuary Resource Center

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Senior Advisor Tara and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss the ins and outs of an essential sanctuary consideration: resident drinking water! Ensuring your residents receive the nutrients they require for their health and well-being is an essential aspect of animal care, but the importance of water and the logistics around providing it are sometimes overlooked. To learn about the nuances of drinking water considerations, including water testing, how to choose the best containers, and the potential impacts of weather, tune in!

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This Episode’s Referenced Open Sanctuary Project Resources:

• Resident Drinking Water Considerations At Your Animal Sanctuary | The Open Sanctuary Project

• Daily Diet, Supplements And Treats Resources By Species | The Open Sanctuary Project

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