Coming Back to the Sanctuary: Finding Sanctuary 2.0

Hey, everyone, it's Elle. I'm the founder of Finding Sanctuary. It's been a while!

I'm turning 30. 

It's kind of sobering to write that, but mostly I just feel like: finally. I've been through a lot. Most of us have. I've faced violence, chronic illness, loss, and pain. I'm so tired. And I'm only 30?

Maybe that's why I've always loved animal sanctuaries so fiercely. Knowing that there are people out there who dedicate their lives to the most vulnerable among us is beautiful. And the animals. Their resilience is overwhelming. And selfishly, there's something life-affirming about resting your hand on an animal's head, whispering to them that you'll keep them safe. It’s what we all long to hear, and it’s soothing to speak those words out loud.

I think Finding Sanctuary was a little omniscient when I created this website 8 years ago. At the time, I was 22 and I wanted to tell the stories of animals overcoming the odds. My life was changed dramatically when I got sick. The website took a back burner, but my love for animals didn't. Through everything, I kept small connections to my former life in animal welfare. Even though I couldn't give sanctuary to animals the way I used to, through them I found my own. 

So I'm here 8 years later with a whole new goal: I'm going to visit every animal sanctuary in the world and profile them on this website. Along the way, I'll share travel and animal resident stories as well as the stories of the incredible people running these organizations. I'll also reflect on the ways that animal sanctuaries can act as people sanctuaries, too. 

I can't count the number of times I've heard things like, "I love animals; I hate people!" Girl, same. It's impossible not to feel that way when you see first-hand the cruelty people are capable of.

Only I don't want to feel that way anymore. I want to take in the beauty and the kindness and let the rest go. I know it's possible, too, because the animals I've met have taught me that it's possible to find happiness even after pain.

I won't sugarcoat anything. I'm pissed off a lot. I hurt all the time. And also, I'll be damned if I let those things stop me. I'm on a mission to profile every sanctuary in the world, to reflect on the ways that human kindness and animal empathy make this place worth living in.

Even if you hurt, too, I hope you'll come with me. 

-Elle