Amanda Lollar of GFAS-Accredited Bat World Sanctuary is the eighth recipient of the Carole Noon Award for Sanctuary Excellence given annually by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Amanda was singled out for her leadership in supporting the welfare of bats as a caregiver, educator, and advocate.

Bobbi Brink of Lions Tigers and Bears (LTB) was singled out for her widespread work dedicated to supporting the welfare of displaced exotic big cats and bears and advocating for change to protect captive exotic animals in the future.

Her work on the Sparky Project this year exemplified the true spirit of this award. She has been an ongoing inspiration in the horse rescue community but went above and beyond to help support the placement of a herd of 40 neglected, unhandled horses.

Pat Derby was a strong advocate for sanctuary standards and helped to found The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS), which was a predecessor to GFAS, building on what Pat helped to create. Ms. Derby battled the use of wild animals in the entertainment industry and exposed the cruelties inherent in the use of captive wildlife in Las Vegas acts, circuses, and roadside zoos. And while she worked tirelessly to end the cruel exploitation of performing wild animal acts, she is perhaps best known for her work rescuing and providing lifetime care for wild animals in the sanctuaries she helped start in California. While she was a guardian of numerous species including bears and big cats, her greatest love was elephants, for whom she cared with the love of a parent. She and her life partner, Ed Stewart, who accepted the award on behalf of Ms. Derby and PAWS, created the nation's first sanctuary for elephants. "Pat's legacy is one of compassion, vision, and dedication and she is an example for all sanctuary directors and employees to follow," stated Mike Markarian, GFAS Vice President.

The award for The Donkey Sanctuary was accepted by David Cook, chief executive of The Donkey Sanctuary, in recognition of the high standards of care the organization achieves in its work providing sanctuary to abandoned and mistreated donkeys and its projects improving the welfare of working donkeys in 28 countries worldwide. David Cook stated: "We have been working since 1969 to improve conditions for donkeys and mules and it is wonderful that GFAS has recognized our achievements and the hard work of our staff in improving the welfare of working animals. Thanks to our dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters we are able to make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of thousands of donkeys and the families that rely on them."

Stany Nyandwi has always demonstrated remarkable courage and dedication. When he first began work, he bicycled 4-6 hours to and from work each day. The trip was dangerous during tribal conflicts, and two co-workers were killed. At tremendous risk to his own life, he smuggled chimps to safety in Kenya. For four years, keeping the chimps safe, he could not communicate with his family and did not even know if they were still alive. Stany has demonstrated insightful vision, pioneering ways of integrating new chimps into one large, cohesive group on 95 acres.

Ms. Robinson took on the overwhelming challenge of ending the barbaric practice of bear bile farming in China and in Vietnam 18 years ago," states Kati Loeffler, DVM, Ph.D., who nominated Jill Robinson. "Her courage, vision, tireless efforts, devotion to each animal, unflagging commitment, and insistence on the highest standards for the lifelong care of the animals stand as monuments to every animal sanctuary in the world."

The first award, given in 2009, was awarded posthumously to Dr. Carole Noon. Carole Noon, PhD, exemplified the GFAS philosophy with an innovative spirit, creating solutions to overwhelming challenges; a deep knowledge of those entrusted to the care of the sanctuary; and a dedication to animals and a determination to succeed that manifested in a commitment to ensure humane and responsible care for the lifetime of each of the sanctuary residents.