13 Hands Equine Rescue of Clinton Corners, New York is Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

December 20, 2021(Clinton Corners, NY) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to 13 Hands Equine Rescue as of November 30, 2021.

Accreditation signifies that 13 Hands Equine Rescue meets GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed equine care standards which are confirmed by a comprehensive site visit. Accreditation also signifies adherence to standards addressing the sustainability of the organization, ethical principles, finances, staffing, education outreach, security and safety and other operational aspects. The Accreditation status provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors, and grantors to recognize 13 Hands Equine Rescue as an exceptional organization.

“We are proud to announce the Accreditation of 13 Hands Equine Rescue,” said Daryl Tropea, Ph.D., GFAS Program Director-Equine. “This nonprofit organization employs commendable best practices when undertaking the care and rehabilitation of equines in need. 13 Hands encourages responsible horse ownership and provides education, public awareness, and therapeutic activities that benefit both people and horses. Their solid business and management practices will help to provide a stable and sustainable organization for years to come.”

“13 Hands Equine Rescue is honored to be accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries,” said Marylou Tortorello, Executive Director of 13 Hands. “Since 2015, our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home horses, as well as to partner those horses to help Veterans with PTSD, anxiety, depression and other issues, has always strived to provide the highest quality of care to our rescue horses and other animals.  13 Hands maintains the highest levels of transparency and accountability. We look forward to a long partnership with GFAS.”

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

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 13 Hands Equine Rescue Inc.
13 Hands Equine Rescue is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization. We rescue unwanted, abused, and abandoned horses and keep them from the slaughter pipeline. The slaughter of horses is a highly profitable business and a horrifying end for a horse. All our horses are sent to a quarantine facility for 30 days so they can rest and start to regain their health and strength. Once they are approved by a licensed veterinarian, they are sent to our farm to begin their transformation. Some horses will be partners in our Equine Assisted Therapy program for veterans and children.  Others will be adopted by loving homes, and some will stay and become 13 Hands full time residents where they will peacefully live out the rest of their days. We are proud to be a Platinum GuideStar member! For more information, please visit 13 Hands Equine Rescue | Homepage.

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