Animal Liberation Sanctuary
Kopan Monastery, Nepal
Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, in his concern for the welfare of all living beings, rescued many animals from being killed or neglected so that they could live out their natural lives in peace and also, according to Buddhist beliefs, attain a higher rebirth. This animal shelter was originally at the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of Kopan1 and designed as a place where animals that have been rescued from the butcher or from Nepalese animal sacrifices could live out their lives in peace.
Until 2014 the animals were in temporary facilities at the monastery and nunnery. In January 2014 the animals were moved to new land, which had more space and proper facilities for the needs of the animals. The purpose-built sanctuary was designed by sanctuary coordinator Tania Duratovic after careful research in how best to care for animals not destined for slaughter but with the potential for long and healthy lives.
The sanctuary’s main animal shelter, designed to provide a healthy environment throughout Nepal’s contrasting seasons, had facilities to separate quieter animals from the main flock, and it was designed to reduce water use and waste. The sanctuary had a quarantine area, a treatment room and there was a live-in caretaker family. Internal fencing allowed parts of the land to be rested from animal browsing and there are areas kept for growing food and for emergencies.
Every year around the world, millions of animals die or suffer needlessly. In countries like Nepal, the care and management of animals is particularly poor and in addition, Nepal still supports a number of festivals in which animals are violently and brutally ritually slaughtered.
Animals neither live pleasantly nor die peacefully. The vast majority of people are completely ignorant about animal welfare and laws and penalties to protect animals from abuse are insufficient.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t room for people to bring other animals to the Animal Liberation Sanctuary and when animals died and there was space for more, Rinpoche quickly rescued more. He wished for new land to be purchased so that more animals could be rescued. It took many years for Kopan monks to find something suitable. It is about 5 hours away from Kathmandu.
The animals were moved from the old land in 2026. Unfortunately, the new facilities were built without consultation with animal sanctuary experts and there are a number of deficiencies that we feel do not provide the right conditions for the welfare of the animals. We are saddened that until the standard of facilities and care improve, we are unable to support the project. You can read about the issues that we have repeatedly raised in our submission to Kopan and the new committee.