Iowa Farm Sanctuary is the First Sanctuary in Iowa to be Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

February 24, 2022 (Oxford, IA) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to Iowa Farm Sanctuary as of February 1, 2022.

Accreditation signifies that Iowa Farm Sanctuary meets GFAS’ rigorous and peer-reviewed animal 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 also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors, and grantors to recognize Iowa Farm Sanctuary as an exceptional organization.

“We are thrilled to announce the Accreditation of Iowa Farm Sanctuary (IFS) and welcome them into the GFAS family,” said Jessica Harris, MS, GFAS Farmed Animal Program Director. “IFS operates in perhaps one of the most challenging regions for farmed animals in the world, making their mission that much more impactful. The juxtaposition of the individualized care and consideration they provide to each resident against the backdrop of American agribusiness is extraordinary. Their attention to special needs animals, expertise on emergency care, and impressive outreach strategy demonstrate the level of excellence at which they operate. We look forward to continuing to support their mission and aspirations in helping farmed animals.”

“Iowa Farm Sanctuary first opened its doors in 2016 as the state’s first vegan farmed animal sanctuary” states Tara Shibbani, PhD, Iowa Farm Sanctuary’s Board Chair. She continued:

We provide a safe haven to rescued farmed animals in need of love and compassion, while offering humans the opportunity to experience the unique sentience and intelligence found within these animals. Strategically located in the epicenter of modern animal agriculture, Iowa Farm Sanctuary advocates for and rescues farmed animals right where it’s needed the most.

Over 100 rescued residents—including many with specialized care needs—call Iowa Farm Sanctuary their home. As a non-profit organization, we rely solely on the generosity of our supporters, so earning and maintaining donor trust is crucial. Achieving GFAS accreditation is so incredibly important to Iowa Farm Sanctuary because it means we’ve reached or surpassed all of the ethical and safety guidelines expected of the highest quality sanctuaries in the world.

As IFS continues to grow, we look forward to building a state-of-the-art medical barn for our rescued residents, becoming the leading resource for farmed animal rescue in the Midwest, and forming a specialized crisis response team to deploy across the country during emergencies, like hurricanes and wildfires, that impact farmed animals. With GFAS accreditation and the enthusiasm of our incredible supporters, the sky is truly the limit for IFS!

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 Iowa Farm Sanctuary
IFS operates in Oxford, IA to provide a safe haven to rescued farm animals in need of love and compassion while providing humans the opportunity to experience the unique sentience and intelligence found within these animals.

For more information, please visit: https://www.iowafarmsanctuary.org/

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