Carole Noon and Outstanding Sanctuary Award Winners Announced
The Board of Directors and staff of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) held their annual Virtual Ceremony to announce the 2022 winners of the Carole Noon and Outstanding Sanctuary Awards. This year’s winners are:
2022 Carole Noon Award
Lynn Cuny, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation , Texas
Outstanding Equine Sanctuary of 2022
Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue, Maryland
Outstanding Farmed Animal Sanctuary of 2022
Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries, United Kingdom
Outstanding Wildlife Sanctuary of 2022
Three Ring Ranch, Hawaii
Outstanding International Sanctuary of 2022
Global Sanctuary for Elephants, Brazil
It was such a pleasure, and very moving, to hear from each of the winners. If you weren’t able to attend, we do have a recording of the ceremony which you can view here.
Don’t Forget – Giving Tuesday 2022 is Fast-Approaching!
A quick reminder to all our sanctuaries that Giving Tuesday is coming up, November 29. This global day of giving always falls on the Tuesday following Black Friday – as a balance for the focus on consumerism and a kickoff for end-of-year and holiday giving. We encourage all of you to consider incorporating it into your fundraising plans, in order to leverage the generosity and excitement of the day to the benefit of your residents.
Giving Tuesday’s website offers a free digital toolkit, including language and logos that you can use as is or modify to your needs (linked HERE) https://www.givingtuesday.org/logos/
If you’re looking for strategy on maximizing donations – check out the toolkit for nonprofits HERE https://www.givingtuesday.org/givingtuesday-toolkit-for-nonprofits/
GFAS Attends the Inaugural Animal & Vegan Advocacy Summit (AVA)
At the end of October, GFAS Executive Director Valerie Taylor and Farm Program Director Jess Harris exhibited at the AVA Summit in Washington D.C. – what promises to be the premiere conference tackling farmed animal welfare issues with over 600 attendees. We were so happy to meet several of our volunteers and colleagues in person for the first time, especially after the isolated days of COVID.
We talked to many advocates about the power of sanctuary work and introduced them to the idea of “true sanctuary”- many for the first time. We were inspired by the likes of Gene Baur, founder of Accredited Farm Sanctuary, who many hail as the father of the farmed animal sanctuary movement; Peter Singer, the famed author of Animal Liberation; Erin Wing, Director of Investigations at Animal Outlook, an advocate who has found peace at sanctuaries following the trauma of her investigative work, and SO many more.
Most of all, we are reminded of all the people and diverse strategies invested in this movement to help animals, and are reenergized to continue our work, elevating sanctuary work, for the animals. We are already looking forward to AVA 2023!
New Legislation to Protect Marine Animals: the SWIMS Act!
We are delighted to share that a new bill has been introduced into the United States Congress to prevent the future capture and breeding of whales for public display. In time, it will end the exploitation of whales in entertainment parks and aquariums. The Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act would amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to prohibit the taking, importation or exportation of orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales and false killer whales for the purpose of public display. The bill also amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit any breeding of these species for future public display. Exemptions are allowed for animals being transported to marine mammal sanctuaries or released to the wild.
Stand with us in support of this important legislation! For all U.S. residents, please call your federal representatives and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 8514 in the U.S. House and S. 4740 in the U.S. Senate.
Another GFAS Round Table in November!
Earlier this month, we hosted our fifth Round Table of the year for GFAS certified organizations. This month’s topic was enrichment, and attendees from wildlife, farmed animal, and equine organizations joined in a lively discussion, sharing their challenges and some creative ideas! We also learned how we can help, and will be working in the next weeks to set up an online space for our GFAS sanctuaries to share their enrichment manuals and other species-specific resources.
In the Heart of Texas…
Congratulations to newly Accredited, Primarily Primates, Inc., (PPI) located in San Antonio, Texas! Primarily Primates was founded in 1978, making it the first primate sanctuary in North America and the first to rescue chimpanzees requiring lifetime care following medical research. Whether suffering in the pet trade, research, or entertainment industries, animal residents including chimps, lemurs, small primates, kinkajous, birds and a few farmed animals now enjoy the peace true sanctuary brings. PPI is committed to giving each animal, for the remainder of her or his life, compassionate and individualized care.
Primarily Primates’ new leadership has steered the sanctuary in an exciting new direction, with the implementation of a thorough winterization plan, expanded primate space, dedicated enrichment staff, upgraded protocols and veterinary oversight. PPI has long enjoyed the support of their local community and that tradition continues to this day with highly committed volunteers taking on special projects to enhance the residents’ sanctuary experience. Primarily Primates is supported by Friends of Animals. To learn more about Primarily Primates, please visit: https://primarilyprimates.org/
Skagit Animals In Need Achieves GFAS Verification Renewal
Congratulations, Skagit Animals In Need, aka SAIN! SAIN is an equine and large animal rescue created to focus on animals seized in neglect and cruelty cases, or released to animal control or law enforcement by owners. Since it’s inception in 2012, SAIN has worked closely with local law enforcement and a network of fosters to provide a safe place for these animals to land where they get some much needed TLC.
Most recently, the organization has mapped out new ways they can bring their resources and expertise to the community, elevating ways to prevent animal cruelty and neglect. With this in mind, the organization has launched two new programs including SAIN’s ‘Animal Assistance Program’, intended to provide temporary funding for feed, veterinary, and farrier care for people who find themselves in economic straits, and the ‘Foster-to-Adopt Program’ for potential adopters to make sure the situation is a good fit for all.
For more information on Skagit Animals In Need, and their programs, go to: https://www.skagitanimalsinneed.org/.
Accredited Tamerlaine Sanctuary & Preserve Leverages Reels for World Vegan Day
Tamerlaine Sanctuary of New Jersey wants you all to know – in Lizzo’s words – that farmed animals are ready to be loved. November 1 marked World Vegan Day, a day to acknowledge the ethical lifestyle which seeks to avoid exploitation and commodification of animals. Veganism, and the reasons for adopting it, can be a heavy topic (while those of us who follow the lifestyle can also say it is a liberating one for both human and non-human animals!).
But Tamerlaine Sanctuary saw this day for what it could be – a celebration of farmed animals. In a blockbuster reel published on Instagram, they paired heartwarming video of their residents with Lizzo’s hit song “2 Be Loved”, making it impossible not to want to join the movement for farmed animals. And what better place to start than a farm sanctuary?
To learn more about Tamerlaine Sanctuary & Preserve, check them out on social media at @tamerlainesanctuary!
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New Certifications and Renewals
Over the past month, GFAS has certified two new groups, transitioned one group from Verified to Accredited, and renewed two GFAS organizations! Congratulations to all these groups!
New Certifications
Primarily Primates, Texas
The Gentle Barn, California and Missouri
Verified to Accredited
Renewals
Barn Sanctuary, Michigan
Midwest Avian Adoption and Rescue Services, Minnesota