Indraloka Animal Sanctuary Earns Accreditation from Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

“Indraloka Animal Sanctuary is truly a safe haven for farm animals that have nowhere else to turn. The animal residents at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary are provided with life-time care and are not treated as objects or commodities but rather as members of the family”, says Jeanne Marie Pittman, GFAS Director of Accreditation for the Americas.

Mehoopany, PA- The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is honored to announce that Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Mehoopany, Pennsylvania has achieved GFAS Accreditation.

“The competition in the animal agribusiness industry to produce inexpensive meat, eggs, and dairy products has led to the pervasive treatment of animals as objects and commodities. If the anti-cruelty laws that protect pets were applied to farmed animals, many of the most routine farming practices would be illegal. Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, is truly a safe haven for farm animals that have nowhere else to turn. The animal residents at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary are provided with life-time care and are not treated as objects or commodities but rather as members of the family, says Jeanne Marie Pittman, GFAS Director of Accreditation for the Americas.

Since being founded in 2005, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary has rescued and cared for approximately 1,000 animals, and has brought their humane education programs, stories, and films to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. “There are so many more animals in need than we alone can rescue,” says Indra Lahiri, the sanctuary’s founder. “This is why a big part of our mission is education.  We believe that by teaching compassion, especially to children, we can have a far greater impact than we could if our mission were focused solely on animal rescue.”  In addition to programs for children and adults held at the sanctuary, Indraloka’s Creative Director, Johnny Braz, creates both short and full-length films about the sanctuary’s animal residents.  Meanwhile, Lahiri writes stories about the animals in Indraloka’s care.  The films and stories have garnered a worldwide following.

Achieving GFAS Accreditation means Indraloka Animal Sanctuary meets the comprehensive and rigorous definition of a true sanctuary and as such provides humane and responsible care for the animals and meets the rigorous standards for operations, administration, and veterinary care established by GFAS. GFAS is the only globally recognized organization that provides a method for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, rescues and rehabilitation centers. The accreditation status provides a clear and trusted means for public, donors, and government agencies to recognize Indraloka Animal Sanctuary as an exceptional sanctuary.

“We are thrilled and honored to have earned this accreditation.” says Braz, “It is the culmination of years of hard work by our Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers, and in the end it positions us even more strongly to provide, well into the future, the best possible care for farm animals in need.”

“In a world where many sanctuaries struggle, and many animals languish due to lack of care, it is wonderful to have a group of experts ensuring that rescued animals have all that they need,” states Lahiri. “GFAS was thorough and rigorous in their examination.  They clearly have the animals’ best interests at heart. We are grateful to have the support and approval of an organization with such high standards. Truly, we are blessed.”

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, the ASPCA, and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries.

About Indraloka Animal Sanctuary

Indraloka, a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit, provides heaven on earth for farm animals with nowhere else to turn. They inform, inspire, and empower the community, especially children, on ways in which we can better care for ourselves and the environment while helping animals in need. For more information, please visit www.indraloka.org.

Download press release here.