10 Animal Sanctuaries in Canada Providing Lifelong Refuge for Animals
Across Canada, animal sanctuaries provide safe, permanent homes for animals that have been rescued from neglect, abuse, commercial exploitation, research facilities, abandonment, and other difficult circumstances. Unlike shelters or rescue organizations that focus on adoption, many sanctuaries provide lifelong care to animals that cannot be returned to the wild or placed in new homes.
From donkeys and chimpanzees to pigs, llamas, wildlife, and exotic animals, these organizations give animals a second chance while educating the public about animal welfare and responsible care. Here are 10 animal sanctuaries across Canada that are helping animals live safer, healthier lives.
From wildlife sanctuaries in Ontario to farm animal sanctuaries in Nova Scotia and exotic animal sanctuaries in Alberta, these Canadian organizations provide lifelong care for animals that need protection and compassion.
Here are 10 Canadian animal sanctuaries making a difference for a wide range of species.
1. Donkeys – The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada
The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, located in Puslinch, Ontario, provides lifelong care for donkeys, mules, and hinnies that have been neglected, abused, or can no longer be cared for by their owners. Founded in 1992, the sanctuary offers specialized veterinary care, and spacious pastures where animals can live safely for the remainder of their lives.
The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada is open to visitors from the first Sunday in May to the last Sunday in October during its regular open days. It also hosts special open days for seniors to enjoy the sanctuary. The facility is wheelchair accessible and features picnic areas where visitors can enjoy lunch.
Location: Puslinch, Ontario
Registered Charity: Yes
Public Visits Available: Yes
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2. Chimpanzees – Fauna Foundation Chimpanzee Sanctuary
The Fauna Foundation, based in Carignan, Quebec, spans approximately 200 acres of land in the agricultural region of the St. Lawrence Lowlands. The Fauna Foundation is Canada's only sanctuary dedicated to chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories and the entertainment industry.
The sanctuary offers a peaceful environment where chimpanzees can form social bonds, explore natural habitats, and recover from years of captivity. The animals living at Fauna are no longer obligated to work, entertain, serve as companions, or participate in medical research. They cannot be removed, as Fauna is their permanent and final home. In addition to chimpanzees, the sanctuary is home to a monkey, a flock of geese, and a variety of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals that contribute to the property's diverse ecosystem.
In 2002, the Fauna Foundation established an American affiliate, Fauna Sanctuary Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States.
Location: Carignan, Quebec
Registered Charity: Yes
Public Visits Available: No
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3. Pigs – Stars Piggly Wigglys Sanctuary Foundation
Stars Piggly Wigglys Sanctuary Foundation is an animal sanctuary in Canada provides a safe haven for rescued pigs and other farm animals. Located in Summerland, British Columbia, the organization educates the public about animal welfare and helps people understand the responsibilities that come with owning a pig. The sanctuary offers permanent homes to animals that might otherwise face uncertain futures. Currently, it is home to more than 30 pigs, including Wilbur, Peppa, and Pumba.
The sanctuary was founded in 2013 and officially received charitable status in 2023. It is currently raising funds for additional fencing and shelters to increase its capacity to care for rescued animals.
Location: Summerland, British Columbia
Registered Charity: Yes
Public Visits Available: Yes
4. Llamas – The Llama Sanctuary Society
The Llama Sanctuary Society, located in the Shuswap region near Salmon Arm, British Columbia, is home to more than 60 animals. The sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates llamas and alpacas that have experienced neglect, abandonment, or unsuitable living conditions. It focuses on animal welfare, education, and responsible care practices.
The sanctuary is home to North America's largest camelid rescue, consisting of 43 llamas and 19 alpacas, as well as five cats. Among its residents are Bella, Evvie, Gemmy, and Tabby, one of the sanctuary's resident cats.
The Llama Sanctuary offers visitors a safe, supervised, up-close interaction with rescued llamas and alpacas. Guests are invited into the field for meaningful interaction, where they can feed the animals and connect directly with them in a peaceful rural setting. Wheelchairs are welcome, although not all areas are currently accessible. The sanctuary is raising funds to make the property fully wheelchair accessible.
Location: Salmon Arm, British Columbia
Registered Charity: Yes
Public Visits Available: Yes
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5. Cats – Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park
Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park is located in Orono, within the Municipality of Clarington, Ontario. While known as a wildlife park, Jungle Cat World provides care and conservation support for numerous species of wild cats, including lions, tigers, cougars, and other feline species. The organization contributes to wildlife education and species awareness. Through its Behind the Scenes program, visitors can enjoy safe and controlled up-close experiences with the animals.
Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park is not a registered charity; however, it has a registered charitable arm called the Endangered Species Fund of Canada. In addition, the organization supports the Jaguar ID Project, Snow Leopard Trust, WildCats Conservation Alliance, Species360, and Panthera. Panthera is a conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild cat species around the world. Species360 is a nonprofit organization that brings together zoos, aquariums, and wildlife organizations to collect, share, and analyze data on animals under human care.
Location: Orono, Ontario
Registered Charity: No
Public Visits Available: Yes
6. Goats – The Little Black Goat Farm Sanctuary
The Little Black Goat Farm Sanctuary is located in Wellandport, in the West Lincoln countryside of Ontario. In addition to goats, the sanctuary is home to sheep, pigs, horses, cows, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, and many other animals. It provides refuge for animals rescued from neglect, abandonment, and commercial farming situations.
Visitors can learn about animal welfare while supporting the care of the sanctuary's resident animals. The sanctuary also offers morning yoga sessions and opportunities to adopt an animal through its Adopt From Afar program. Through the program, supporters can help provide care for sanctuary residents while the animals remain safe and happy at the farm. Among the residents are Daisy, the sanctuary's sheep and fearless leader, and Otto, a pygmy goat.
Location: Wellandport, Ontario
Registered Charity: Yes
Public Visits Available: Yes
7. Wildlife – Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Canada's leading wildlife sanctuaries, rehabilitating injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife with the goal of returning animals to their natural habitats whenever possible and specializes in the rehabilitation of native Ontario wildlife. It is the only facility in Ontario licensed to rehabilitate moose calves and is one of the few wildlife rehabilitation centres equipped with an aquatic facility to house and care for aquatic mammals year-round.
Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary provides a permanent home to nearly 30 animals that have come from a variety of situations, many of which involved captivity. Among the animals in permanent care are Furley the black bear, Tippy the western coyote, and Mystic the Arctic fox. The sanctuary is also home to bobcats, grey wolves, several red foxes, and a pair of trumpeter swans.
In addition to its permanent residents, Aspen Valley regularly rehabilitates beavers, otters, raccoons, and many other wildlife species before releasing them back into the wild.
Location:Rosseau, Ontario
Registered Charity: Yes
Public Visits Available: Yes
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8. Farm Animals – Lailo Farm Sanctuary
Lailo Farm Sanctuary is a Canadian farm animal sanctuary located in Lower Canard in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley provides refuge for rescued and surrendered farm animals while also helping place animals in caring homes when space is limited. The sanctuary aims to educate visitors about the unique personalities and needs of farm animals and foster a greater sense of compassion for all animals. Established by Jen Lussing and Will Cooper, who previously operated a farm animal sanctuary in New Zealand, Lailo also serves as a community space in Canada where volunteers, supporters, and animal advocates can connect and contribute to animal welfare. Among the sanctuary's residents are pigs named Piper, Rosie, Penny, and Mo.
Location: Lower Canard, Nova Scotia
Registered Charity: Yes
Public Visits Available: Yes
9. Dogs and Cats – Paws and Whiskers Sanctuary Inc.
Paws and Whiskers Sanctuary, based in Sussex, New Brunswick, focuses on rescuing and caring for companion animals in need. Through rehabilitation, adoption programs, and sanctuary care, the sanctuary helps vulnerable cats and dogs find safety and stability. Over the past 20 years, it has supported nearly 3,000 cats by providing vaccinations, parasite treatment, spay and neuter services, medical care, and assistance in finding loving permanent homes.
Location: Sussex, New Brunswick
Registered Charity: Yes
Public Visits Available: Yes
10. Exotic Animals – Out of Africa Animal Sanctuary Ltd.
Out of Africa Animal Sanctuary was established in 2002 and is located near Rivière Qui Barre in rural Alberta. The sanctuary currently cares for over 80 animals and provides refuge for exotic and non-native animals that can no longer be cared for by private owners or facilities. The sanctuary is a registered charity, operates entirely through volunteers, and works to ensure its animals receive appropriate housing, nutrition, and lifelong care.
Location: Sturgeon County, Alberta
Registered Charity: Yes
Public Visits Available: For Volunteering
Bonus - Whales - The Whale Sanctuary Project
Located in Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia, this future whale sanctuary will provide a spacious coastal habitat where whales can swim, dive, and interact with a more natural marine environment. The Whale Sanctuary Project will offer opportunities to explore the seabed, observe wildlife, and experience life in a setting that more closely resembles their natural habitat.
Covering more than 100 acres of ocean space with depths reaching 18 metres, the sanctuary is being developed as a model for future marine sanctuaries around the world. Below is a timeline highlighting the progress made toward establishing the sanctuary.
Location: Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia
Registered Charity: No
Public Visits Available: N/A
Supporting Animal Sanctuaries in Canada
Animal sanctuaries in Canada rely heavily on donations, volunteers, sponsorships, and community support to continue their work. Whether caring for rescued chimpanzees, donkeys, goats, pigs, wildlife, or companion animals, these organizations provide second chances to animals that need protection and compassion.
By supporting Canadian animal sanctuaries, donors help fund veterinary care, food, shelter, enrichment programs, and habitat improvements that directly improve the quality of life for rescued animals. Support can take many forms, from school field trips and corporate volunteer programs to individual donations, sponsorships, and community fundraising initiatives.
Are you an animal sanctuary in Canada? Add your organization to CharityAxess to help us include your work in future features and updates to this list.
