Primates Incorporated is Verified by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

July 24, 2019 (Westfield, WI) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Primates Incorporated as of July 17, 2019.

Verification means that Primates Incorporated 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 Primates Incorporated as an exceptional organization.

“We are proud to announce the recent Verification of Primates Incorporated,” said Kristin Leppert, GFAS Program Director-Wildlife. “Primates Incorporated comprises a highly qualified team of caregivers committed to giving monkeys retired from laboratories the opportunity to live out their days amongst nature and loving companions. The group prioritizes individualized care while also developing plans for sustainable growth in the future.” “It is an honor to be verified by GFAS as they put animal welfare as their top priority for regulations. We referenced their Old World Monkey guidelines many times when we were setting up the sanctuary,” said Amy Kerwin, Executive Director of Primates Incorporated.

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 Primates Incorporated
Amy Kerwin founded Primates Incorporated in 2004 after working in a laboratory for five years with 97 rhesus monkeys at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Although her laboratory did not believe in primate retirement, other laboratories were actively retiring monkeys from throughout the United States. Since she heard of existing sanctuaries rejecting the laboratories due to capacity and funding issues, Kerwin knew the need existed to help them. She focused on developing a sanctuary in Wisconsin so that she could work with other laboratories to retire their monkeys, helping set precedent for local laboratories to do the same thing. Located in Westfield, Wisconsin, the sanctuary currently cares for 5 macaques retired from research and one vervet, a former pet. Primates Incorporated is a federally registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, visit primatesinc.com

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