Peace Ridge Sanctuary Expands Impact with 4 GFAS Accredited Facilities in New England

February 25, 2025 (Freedom, ME) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to Northeast Equine Sanctuary and Little River Farm by Peace Ridge Sanctuary and renewed the existing Accreditation for High and Low Meadow Farms on January 21, 2025.

Accreditation signifies that Peace Ridge 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 Peace Ridge Sanctuary as an exceptional organization.

“It’s hard to overstate what a powerhouse organization for animals Peace Ridge Sanctuary is,” said Jessica Harris, MS, GFAS Farmed Animal Program Director. “In a region where animals desperately need this resource, Peace Ridge now boasts 4 locations at which to help them, spanning over 1700 acres that provide a safe refuge for rescued equines and farmed animals, while protecting the habitat of untold numbers of wild animals. Not only are they providing world-class care and safety to over 600 rescued animals every year, their new location at Little River Farm in Belfast provides a strategic hub for education and outreach that can help create even broader change for animals everywhere. The addition of Northeast Equine Sanctuary has provided a dedicated home for caring for equines in need. They just continue to wow us. In fact, last year, Peace Ridge Sanctuary won a prestigious Outstanding Animal Sanctuary Award, in recognition of their monumental work for animals and exemplary work in the sanctuary movement. These awards are truly for the best of the best.”

“The name of the game at Peace Ridge has always been to do as much as humanly possible, to save as many animals as possible, and to do so in as cost efficient a way as possible, while working to high standards,” said Daniella Tessier, founder of Peace Ridge Sanctuary. “We have a team of people who work from the heart and that has allowed us to reach our goals. It’s enabled us to stretch our resources to the point that we’re now operating four accredited shelter sanctuaries. We are grateful for everything we are given. It literally means the difference between saving a life and not being able to.”

Melissa Andrews, Director of Development, Humane Education & Outreach said, “In addition to our tireless rescue efforts, we believe in the power of education to exponentially grow our reach. PRS shelters are a stage for active learning where visitors not only learn about the ongoing issues animals face, but where they get to meet individual animals and hear their stories. There is incredible power in storytelling, and each of the thousands of animals we’ve saved has their own story that deserves to be told. We’ve witnessed so many “lightbulb moments” and transformations in people each year and we’re excited to expand our educational opportunities with these additional locations.” 

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. For more information on GFAS, go to: www.sanctuaryfederation.org.

About Peace Ridge Sanctuary
Peace Ridge Sanctuary operates in Brooks, Belfast, and Albion, ME with a mission to provide permanent sanctuary to once abused and neglected animals, with a particular focus on farmed animals. We also promote compassionate lifestyle choices through humane education.

For more information, please visit: http://www.peaceridgesanctuary.org/

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