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.

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?

Freed Spirits Animal Rescue
Freed Spirits Animal Rescue was inspired by Lek at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand; they take in all types of animals that are not considered your typical “domestic” animal and promote healing and safety to abused or neglected animals. Freed Spirits residents includes pigs, donkeys, horses, goats, and other ranch or farm type animal. Their mission is to “help animals, involve the community, and improve the quality of life for animals and humans through our dedication and persistence.” Founded and run by Denise McCawley, her sister Shana, and Denise’s daughter Kaylee Suhr, they provide lifelong sanctuary for those animals that otherwise would have nowhere to go.