Florida Research Institute for Equine Nurturing, Development and Safety (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.) is Verified by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

(Fort Lauderdale, FL) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to F.R.I.E.N.D.S. as of February 23, 2016.

Verification means that F.R.I.E.N.D.S. meets the criteria of a true equine sanctuary/rescue and is providing humane and responsible care of the animals. To be awarded Verified status, an organization must meet GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed animal care standards which are confirmed by a site visit and they must also adhere to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles.

“Although many are aware that F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Inc. was established years ago as a quarantine facility for inapparent carriers of equine infectious anemia, few realize that they also provide life-long sanctuary for equines with little or no opportunity to find adoptive homes,” said Daryl Tropea, GFAS Director of Accreditation – Equine.  “As the incidence of EIA continues to decrease, F.R.I.E.N.D.S.        provide a safe and nurturing haven for horses that require permanent sanctuary for health or physical issues.”

“Everyone at F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is thrilled that we have been accepted into the fold of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries because they are validating that F.R.I.E.N.D.S. meets the high standards they have set for the care and wellbeing of animals at rescues,” said Debbie Beye-Barwick, Director of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. “It also means we meet the expectations and the high standards they have set for the operations of a horse rescue as well. I believe this honor affirms that all the hard work and efforts our members, volunteers and supports have put into the organization and animals is being commended and every one of us feels very proud.”

The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by a generous grant from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® and the Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust.

About Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the sole purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries, rescues, and rehabilitation centers worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting these animal care facilities is to ensure they are supported, honored, recognized and rewarded for meeting important criteria in providing care to the animals in residence. GFAS was founded in 2007 by animal protection leaders from a number of different organizations in response to virtually unchecked and often hidden exploitation of animals for human entertainment and financial profit. The GFAS Board of Directors guides the organization’s work in a collaborative manner. While the board includes those in top leadership at Born Free USA, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries. localhost.

About F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is a Horse Rescue, Quarantine Facility and Sanctuary. Incorporated in 1987 as a nonprofit 501 (c)3 organization, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is  Broward County Florida’s oldest and largest Horse Rescue. Currently we house 44 horses, 2 miniature donkeys, 1 hinny, 2 goats, 10 potbellied pigs, 1 farm pig and a cat. We have various interactive programs giving the community the opportunity to have a hands on experience with horses and farm animals. We are always in need of volunteers, sponsors, new members and donations to support the needs of the horses. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is operated solely by volunteers and has been since 1987. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is and always will be a labor of love for those who love horses and other farm animals. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. accepts horses that have been abused, neglected, are in immediate need of assistance and carriers of EIA. We give a chance to horses that may not be able to be ridden but are otherwise healthy. We give the horses we accept the chance to be a horse again and offer them sanctuary to ensure they never end up in a bad situation again. For more information, visit us at www.eiahorses.org.

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org. To become a fan of the ASPCA on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/aspca. To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/aspca.

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