Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries honors sanctuaries, rescue, rehabilitation, and transition centers for exceptional animal care, professionalism and ethics.
October 24, 2025- (Washington, DC) The Board of Directors of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) today announced the recipient of the 2025 Carole Noon Award, Tim Ajax of Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary. The Carole Noon Award is named after the late Dr. Carole Noon, a courageous and innovative sanctuary pioneer and champion of chimpanzees.
The GFAS Board of Directors also presented the annual Outstanding Sanctuary Awards to recognize excellence in humane and responsible animal care; professionalism and ethics; organizational sustainability; public engagement; and contributions to, and leadership within, the sanctuary field. Recipients included The Elephant Sanctuary, Tennessee; Full Circle Farm Sanctuary, Georgia; Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre, DRC Congo; and The Flicka Foundation, U.K..
“This year’s award recipients truly embody and put into practice the GFAS philosophy of vision, dedication, and excellence in animal care,” noted Valerie Taylor, Executive Director of GFAS. “Part of the GFAS mission is to recognize sanctuaries and rescue centers and raise awareness of their work, and the 2025 Award recipients serve as exemplary models of many important characteristics attributed to true sanctuaries, demonstrating professionalism, collaborative spirit, and leadership, all for the animals – qualities highly regarded by GFAS and the late Dr. Noon.”
To learn more about each of this year’s award winners, click on the links below. GFAS urges everyone to help support the important work of these incredible organizations by making a monetary or in-kind donation, following them on social media, and signing up for and sharing their newsletters.
Editor’s Notes:
GFAS is a global leader in accreditation programs for animal sanctuaries, assessing facilities against a robust set of operational and animal care standards, including species-specific standards for elephants, great apes, big cats, horses, farmed animals, and others. More information about GFAS at www.sanctuaryfederation.org and a list of previous awardees at https://www.sanctuaryfederation.org/about-gfas/carole-noon-award/.
Thank you to the generous sponsor of this event!
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