I visit a very large animal sanctuary, and will be there again for the open day on Sunday. The sanctuary is open every day, you can walk round, peer in the pens, stables etc. And the fields. They do not hide anything. I can honestly say, in all the years I have been going there, that I have never seen an animal in a poor state, without food or water. They always have access to hay, the beds in the stables are in my view, more than is adequate!! If there is an animal that has just arrived, there is usually an explanation as to its curcumstances, why its so thin etc. which is a help to visitors who may question.
There are ponies, donkeys, goats, ferrets, rabbits, dogs and cats, and a lot of each. The place has staff, but also volunteers, and they have to be commended on the cleanliness of the place, and conditon of the animals.
There is an old goat, who is 18. He suffers badly from arthritis, which is explained on the front of his pen. I always stop to make a fuss of him, and he does look a bit worse for wear, but has everything he needs including a little rug. Oh, and a visitor has knitted him some stripy socks. He ate the first pair, so has replacements!!!!
I think like anywhere, there are good and bad places. To be honest, as someone who has a lot of animals, I myself find it hard sometimes to keep up housekeeping standards. My main priority is everyone is fed and watered, and on their feet. The fact that there may be straw flying round the yard, and some piles of poo here and there.....well, yes, there is. But I only have so many hours in the day. Most people who come for eggs etc. say how well my animals look, maybe they do notice things are not perfect, but no one has said so ....yet. If they do, I will explain why of course.