FAQ About Accreditation/Verification
GFAS accredits and verifies sanctuaries, rescue centers, and rehabilitation centers that meet GFAS standards. You can view definitions of these terms here. Some organizations will span more than one category. GFAS does not accredit or verify domestic or feral cat or domestic or feral dog facilities.
No. In the United States, however, some state laws or regulations may exempt GFAS Accredited/Verified facilities from certain requirements (for example, those required of private owners of dangerous wildlife).
Each Accreditation or Verification is in effect for a period of three years. More information on the renewal process can be found here.
GFAS has a written policy on this important topic.
Yes. A non-refundable application fee is required to move forward in the process. The application fee is due after an organization completes the GFAS Self-Assessment Checklist. See more information on fees here.
Both Verified and Accredited facilities must meet GFAS eligibility criteria and demonstrate high standards of animal care, safety, and welfare.
Accreditation goes a step further. In addition to animal care standards, Accredited organizations must show stronger readiness and long-term stability by meeting additional GFAS standards related to governance, financial management, and organizational sustainability.
As part of the Accreditation process, organizations are required to submit additional documentation, which may include:
- Governance documents, such as a conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, and other board-level policies
- A strategic plan and succession plan
- Financial documentation showing increased financial reserves (three months of operating expenses, compared to one month for Verification)
- Proof of Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance (unless not available in country)
- Other materials that demonstrate responsible oversight, planning, and long-term sustainability
A facility does not need to become Verified before applying for Accreditation, although some organizations choose to pursue Verification first as a stepping stone.
To see exactly which documents are required for Verification and which are required for Accreditation, please review the GFAS Required Documents Checklist, which outlines all submission requirements for each pathway.
No. GFAS Accreditation and Verification are voluntary and absence from the list does not necessarily mean that a sanctuary would not meet GFAS standards. Additionally, GFAS keeps all information about organizations that are applying for or have yet to meet our standards confidential. Therefore, if you do not see an organization listed on our website, we recommend that you contact the organization directly to determine if they are in the process of becoming accredited or verified.
Accredited or Verified facilities have access to a variety of benefits including:
- global recognition of your achievement;
- special consideration by select grantmakers;
- opportunities for collaboration and mentoring with other sanctuaries and rescue centers; and
- educational opportunities.
For more information, see our page on benefits.
*How does the application process begin?
The first step in the application process is completing the GFAS Self-Assessment Checklist, which helps your organization evaluate eligibility and identify any areas that may need attention before applying.
If you would like more information before starting, you are welcome to email or call GFAS. You can also review details about the full application process on the Apply Now page.
FAQ About Accreditation/Verification
If you would like to speak with GFAS before beginning the process, you are welcome to email or call us to get more information. If you feel ready to begin, your first step will be to complete and submit the Organization Overview Form.
You can read about our entire application process here.
No, though some organizations choose that route.
GFAS requires documents for both Verification and Accreditation candidates. The list of required documents can be viewed here.
Any information on these materials will be kept confidential by GFAS with the necessary exception that suspected animal neglect, cruelty, abuse or other illegal activity will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
When we review an application for Accreditation or Verification, we evaluate how well the applicant meets the GFAS standards, and if it has all of the required documents in place. However, GFAS does not simply reject an application that does not meet all requirements. Our mission includes facilitating capacity building within the sanctuary and rescue center community. We assist applicants in preparing needed documents, and will provide sample and template documents to guide them. We will also prepare a list of items that may need to be completed as a condition of becoming Accredited or Verified; these may include:
- repairing a fence;
- installing fire extinguishers;
- preparing and implementing an escaped animal protocol.
We may require that these items be completed prior to certification, or in some instances may allow completion prior to the next renewal.
We stand ready to keep offering assistance to groups that are sincere about wanting to achieve Accreditation/Verification, and we are always willing to listen to an explanation of why a particular exception should be made regarding a standard.
Generally, this is only revealed when a successful applicant has been granted Accreditation/Verification and a press release is issued. Otherwise, we keep that information confidential. On occasion, an organization may announce that on its own, or an organization may ask us to confirm for a funder or state agency that it has applied.
The Committee is comprised of Board members, senior staff, and others experts with experience in animal care, safety, and sanctuary sustainability.
A site visit is a required part of the initial Accreditation/Verification application process. In some instances, we may defer a site visit for every other renewal period. Also, we do take non-anonymous written complaints seriously and investigate them, which in some instances may include another site visit.
Site visitors include GFAS personnel and qualified volunteers. If your organization has concerns about a volunteer visitor assigned to do your site visit, let us know. Our site visitors have a list of photos to take and specific questions to ask. The site visitor gathers information, but, unless he or she is part of GFAS personnel, is not involved in GFAS’ decision regarding whether your organization’s application should be approved.
Once your Accreditation or Verification is awarded, we will work with your organization to prepare and issue a press release. We will also highlight your achievement in our newsletter, and add your listing to our website. We will provide you with a GFAS logo image to display on your website and other materials.
We ask that our Accredited and Verified organizations report to us on significant changes during the 3-year period; more information can be found here. You will also be asked to pay an annual fee based on a sliding scale.
Annual and application fees help offset some of the costs of the accreditation process, including a portion of site visits, as well as other expenses related to program services for Accredited and Verified facilities (which may include workshops, webinars, GFAS staffing, and other support).
In the event of a complete relocation of an Accredited/Verified sanctuary’s facilities, it is GFAS policy to complete an assessment of the new facility. This will include a site visit to the new location, as well as a request for updated application information and documents, where changes have occurred. The sanctuary organization will remain listed on the GFAS website as “relocation assessment in process.” Once the sanctuary organization has relocated, it will have one year to complete the new assessment.
If your Accredited/Verified sanctuary organization has relocated or a relocation is impending, please notify GFAS.