February Star Sanctuary in Knoxville, Maryland is Verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

February Star Sanctuary in Knoxville, Maryland is Verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries 
“Rescue is not just a verb; it is a promise”

September 25, 2023 (Knoxville, MD) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to February Star Sanctuary as of September 15, 2022. Verification means that February Star Sanctuary meets the criteria of a true equine 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 February Star Sanctuary as an exceptional organization.

“We are proud to announce the recent Verification of February Star Sanctuary,” said Traci Hanson, GFAS Program Director-Equine. “This organization provides lifelong care and adoption services for equines whose owners are no longer able to care for them. By intervening early, equines experience a smooth transition to a new home or sanctuary, without the risk of ending up in dire situations. This beautiful farm provides the highest level of care for equines with large grassy pastures, safe fencing, and shelter from inclement weather. February Star values collaborating with other nearby rescues ensuring the special needs of each equine are always met.”

According to Phyllis Smith, Executive Director, February Star, “Receiving this certification is so important to February Star Sanctuary because we are always learning and improving! Our goal is to help as many animals as possible, in the most efficient way. It was extremely important to us to go through the certification process to make sure we were up to the best standards in the industry. We have been growing at an incredible rate but we want to grow in the right way.”

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 International Fund for Animal Welfare and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries. www.sanctuaryfederation.org.

About February Star Sanctuary
The mission of February Star Sanctuary is to rescue, rehabilitate and provide a permanent refuge for cats and horses in need. We help the community with outreach programs to help children develop compassion for rescue animals at an early age. Teaching our children to respect and protect even the smallest among us is one of the most important life lessons we can pass on. Children and animals are the most vulnerable members of society, with abuse on the rise for both groups. Our goal with this sanctuary is to give the unwanted a home and to teach children compassion. Building a generation of animal advocates, one child at a time.

For more information, please visit February Star Sanctuary – Home

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