Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue in Afton, Virginia is Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

September 1, 2022 (Afton, VA) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations, awarded Accredited status to Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue as of August 29, 2022.

Accreditation signifies that Hope’s Legacy 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 also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors, and grantors to recognize Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue as an exceptional organization.

“We are very excited to announce the Accreditation of Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue,” said Daryl Tropea, Ph.D., GFAS Program Director-Equine. “This is an all-breed organization that works very closely with animal control, helping equines in difficult situations, find new homes. Their Equine Enrichment Program takes rehabilitation one step further, providing comprehensive plans for each equine that considers each animal’s personality along with exercises, activities, and traditional training. This approach has resulted in a very successful adoption program and a reduced length of stay enabling them to help even more equines. Under the leadership of Maya, this organization’s commitment to management best practices and their strategic vision ensures success for years to come.”

“Hope’s Legacy is proud to have received accreditation from GFAS,” said Maya Proulx, Executive Director of Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue. “Having accreditation through GFAS is an incredible and meaningful way to show that Hope’s Legacy meets the highest standards of care, safety, and governance.”

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 Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue
Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation rescues horses, donkeys and other equines throughout Virginia. Any equine/resident of Virginia is eligible for our services. We take equines from both Animal Control seizures and from owners who, due to health or financial reasons, can no longer care for their animal.

Hope’s Legacy’s primary goal is to find new homes for these majestic animals. Often this requires rehabilitating them first, through veterinary care, farrier care, socialization with people and other equines, feed, hay and a secure place to call home for a while. We also support rehabilitation with professional training of some horses. Hope’s Legacy believes that quality professional training increases the likelihood that a horse will be adopted and increases the likelihood that a horse will stay in their adopted home. We have a network of trainers we send our horses to for training.

Adoption applications are carefully vetted with reference checks. Our goal is to place our rescued equines in a new home that is well-matched for both the horse and human.
In 2019 our volunteers began the Equine Enrichment Program. Every horse and donkey who enters Hope’s Legacy is assessed. Can they be haltered? Can they be ridden? Do they know any ground commands? A customized enrichment plan is tailored to the equine’s needs and several volunteers will work with her in her plan. This gives us valuable information we can share with potential adopters, making better and quicker matches.

located in central Virginia. We are an all-breed rescue working to save equines from a variety of situations including, but not limited to abuse, abandonment, neglect, slaughter or whose owners can no longer care for them. We are dedicated to working with our future generation, teaching them responsible equine care.

For more information, please visit Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue (hopeslegacy.com)

Download Accreditation press release.