"…free from suffering." Creatures & Caretakers

Edge of Humanity Magazine

May 27

Photographer, Documentary Journalist Alexandra Buxbaum is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography. From the project 'A Place to Call Home – Animal Sanctuaries in Arizona'. To see Alexandra's body of work, click on any image.

A Place to Call Home revolves around 8 Arizona animal sanctuaries and their positive contributions to animal, environmental and community welfare. These organizations support a variety of domesticated and wild animals in the state and include sanctuaries from small independent groups to large well-funded associations.

Animal Liberation Temple  Animal Liberation Temple is a Soto-Zen Buddhist Temple that was founded in Phoenix in 2019 by Reverend Robert Ryugen Doshin Yamada, who is also an animal right activist, and his wife Celeste. In the spirit and practice of Bodhisattvas to animals, the temple offers spiritual and physical liberation, refuge, and funeral services to their resident animals. The Animal Liberation Temple recognizes the dire plight of so many animals and the realization they all deserve equal consideration, compassion, and kindness; and that all beings, without exception, want to be happy, safe, and free from suffering.

This photo feature is as much about the animals who have wound up in a sanctuary – their backstories of exploitation and habitat loss – as it is about the caretakers who are dedicated to helping these animals live as naturally as possibly in the world we share.

Each of the sanctuaries in the group of 8 provides their own unique perspective, focus or specialty, and each supports different types of animals such as pigs, raptors, farm animals, horses, factory farm rescues. Plus, native wildlife that includes owls, wild cats, coyotes, skunk, javelina and many others.

As sanctuaries heavily rely on volunteer help with the day-to-day tasks, these images touch upon the selfless service these special individuals and organizations have chosen to dedicate themselves, their time and their hearts.

This is a very special group of people who believe dearly in this cause and want to do everything they can to help these animals that were victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation, habitat loss, or were destined to be slaughtered. They have heard the call to action, the call for help, and they've answered that call with their dedication and their service.

A Place to Call Home also addresses this fundamental question…do we as human beings have the unfettered, unrestricted right and authority over all other creatures on this planet and to control, manage and destroy habitats – and even the lives of everything in the path of our wants and needs?

All images and text © Alexandra Buxbaum

See also:

Classic B&W Photos

By Alexandra Buxbaum

Edge of Humanity Magazine's

FREE Projects & Other Services

To Promote Works From Artists,

Photographers, Poets & Writers

COMMISSION FREE
CONTRACT FREE
online platform for artists to sell their creations

Joelcy Kay
Photo Curator

PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK, SHORT STORIES & MUSIC Recommendations    FREE Platform For Artists NO MIDDLEMAN ART GALLERY    In The Mind Of An Artist    Open Submissions for Writers & Poets    Photo Curator    PRESS RELEASE On Edge of Humanity Magazine    Photography Articles