Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary of Newcastle, Oklahoma is Verified by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

July 11, 2019 (Newcastle, OK) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary (formerly Mindy’s Memory Primate Sanctuary) as of April 26, 2019.

Verification means that Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary meets the criteria of a true primate 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 Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary as an exceptional organization.

“We are proud to announce the recent Verification of Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary,” said Kristin Leppert, GFAS Program Director-Wildlife. “Oklahoma Primate endeavors to provide the highest level of individualized care for its’ animal residents. In this manner, the work of Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary encompasses so much more than humane care for animals-in-need; the organization is extending lessons of compassion and respect for all living beings.” “Everyone at the Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary is thankful and excited to have earned Verification status from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Given the proliferation of pseudo-sanctuaries, it is critically important that an independent organization with high levels of animal expertise be able to present and uphold a set of standards that assists legitimate sanctuaries in achieving an exceptional level of care for their residents, said Tim Ajax, Executive Director of Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary. “Staff members have worked hard to achieve this goal and we look forward to many more improvements on behalf of our primate residents.”

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 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. www.sanctuaryfederation.org.

About Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary
First established in 1993, The Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary provides exceptional, compassionate, lifetime care for non-human primates retired from research, rehomed from the pet trade, or retired from display. We are dedicated to providing a highly enriched quality of life for the primates in our care by giving them access to natural environments, regular psychological enrichment, a healthy and diverse diet, and professional veterinary care.

Located outside of Newcastle, OK, the sanctuary currently cares for over 80 animals on 12.5 acres. Primate residents range from a few years old to over 30 years of age and represent fifteen different species: four species of capuchin, four species of vervet-type monkeys, patas monkeys, and six species of macaques.

Due to their unnatural upbringing, many of the monkeys display abnormal behaviors which they developed as a way to deal with the intense stresses they suffered in their early years. These unfortunate primates can never be released to the wild, so the sanctuary’s focus is on providing a highly enriched environment that stimulates and encourages engagement in natural behaviors such as foraging for food and social grooming.

The Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary is a federally registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and receives no government funding. We are solely reliant on the generosity and compassion of donors as well as private foundations to help us achieve our life-affirming work. For more information, visit okprimates.org

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