World’s Only Accreditation Body Celebrates Tenth Anniversary as Demand for Legitimate Animal Sanctuaries Rises

NIH chimp phase out, Costa Rica legislation, and Ringling Brothers retirement demonstrate growing need for the “Good Housekeeping” seal of approval. 

This week Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) celebrates its tenth year as the only international animal sanctuary accreditation body. Over the past decade, GFAS has helped tens of thousands of horses, big cats, primates, and farmed animals by improving quality standards across four continents.

“Anyone can call itself an ‘animal sanctuary,’ whether it’s a roadside zoo or a backyard breeder. It’s a huge problem for the public, lawmakers, and press to distinguish real sanctuaries from phony ones,” describes Kellie Heckman, GFAS’ executive director. “GFAS was founded to solve this problem. But more work remains as only six-percent of self-identified sanctuaries in the United States currently are GFAS certified.”

Demand for GFAS accreditation is on the rise. Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís recently signed the Wildlife Conservation Law to require GFAS accreditation for all of the country’s wildlife facilities. NIH’s phase-out of invasive chimpanzee testing and Ringling’s recent decision to retire its traveling animal circuses further underscores the growing need for legitimate retirement homes.

For its 10th anniversary, GFAS has unveiled an innovative, high-tech new way for the public to support legitimate sanctuaries. The “Donation Jar” was recently launched on the GFAS website. It’s an innovative online giving tool to permit donors to contribute to one or multiple certified sanctuaries at once.

“When animals retire from labs and circuses and other sources of exploitation, accredited sanctuaries provide the best possible care. Savvy donors can now confidently contribute to highest quality sanctuaries by supporting only true sanctuaries using the GFAS Donation Jar. This will also encourage other sanctuaries to improve their standards of care,” explains Heckman.

Download full press release.

Related Posts

Lakeview Monkey Sanctuary in England is Verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

March 23, 2023 (Ascot, Berkshire, UK) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, has awarded Verified status to Lakeview Monkey Sanctuary as of March 13, 2023. Verification means that Lakeview Monkey Sanctuary has met the criteria of a true sanctuary and is […]

Read More...

Dove Creek Equine Rescue Located in West TX Achieves GFAS Accreditation

March 16, 2023 (Canyon, TX) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to Dove Creek Equine Rescue (DCER) as of March 6, 2023. Dove Creek Equine Rescue first achieved GFAS Verification in April of 2018, meeting criteria for providing […]

Read More...

Blackbird Ranch Farm Sanctuary is Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

February 22, 2023 (Pullman, WA) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to Blackbird Ranch Farm Sanctuary as of January 27, 2023. Accreditation signifies that Blackbird Ranch Farm Sanctuary meets GFAS’ rigorous and peer-reviewed animal care standards which are […]

Read More...
Scroll to Top