Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary of Virginia is Verified by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

(Louisa, VA) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary as of November 4, 2016.

Verification means that Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary 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. The verification status also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors and grantors to recognize Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary as an exceptional organization.

“We are proud to announce the recent verification of Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary,” said Valerie Taylor, GFAS Director of Accreditation. “Rehabilitation and training for equines is of utmost importance to this organization, as evidenced by the care each equine receives to ensure their return to health.  In addition, Serenity Farm’s passion and drive to become a community resource for horses and local horse lovers demonstrates the organization’s commitment to equines-in-need in Virginia.”

“We are honored to be considered for verification and are so thankful for the guidance provided by GFAS,” said Rhondavena LaPorte, Executive Director of Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary. “Our goal from the beginning was to do things right; as each requirement for verification was completed, Serenity Farm became a little more established.  The GFAS requirements provided a model to help us create a sanctuary which gives deserving equines peace and protection.”

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 Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary

Located on 21 acres of grassy pastures, fields, and wooded horse trails in Louisa County, VA, Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary was incorporated as a 501c3 in 2016 to support the right of all equines to live a quality life.  The organization accepts all breeds of horses and donkeys through law enforcement seizures and owner surrenders, and provides them with rehabilitation, gentling, and basic training.  The organization was founded by Rhondavena and Bill LaPorte, who are life-long equine enthusiasts.  The property which Serenity Farm is located on was purchased by the Laporte’s, and soon began the goal of helping horses in need.  There have been many improvements made to the property to enable the start-up of the rescue. Serenity Farm is a member of the Virginia Alliance of Equine Rescue Organizations, and the Homes for Horses Coalition. The mission of Serenity Farm is to prevent equine neglect, abuse, and abandonment, and to keep equine from suffering from starvation, neglect and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.serenityfarmequinesanctuary.org or call 540-842-1756.

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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