2024 GFAS Annual Report
We are proud to share the 2024 GFAS Annual Report, highlighting a year of growth, progress, and unwavering dedication to the welfare of animals, worldwide. Thanks to the incredible support of our community—including donors, sanctuaries and rescue centers, and advocates like you—we’ve reached new milestones that strengthen the sanctuary movement.
This year, GFAS welcomed several new accredited sanctuaries into our global network, ensuring more animals receive the highest standard of care. We also saw an unprecedented 90 new accreditation applications, demonstrating the increasing commitment to ethical sanctuary practices and the growing influence of GFAS accreditation.
None of this would be possible without you. Whether you support sanctuaries through direct care, donations, advocacy, or education, you are helping to create a world where animals are safe, respected, and well cared for.
We invite you to explore the full 2024 GFAS Annual Report to see the incredible progress we’ve made together. Thank you for being part of this journey—we look forward to another year of making a difference!
Join Our Free Webinar: Effective Humane Communication Techniques for Sanctuaries Presented by Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers (HEART)
GFAS is pleased to announce an upcoming free training webinar designed to help sanctuary staff and volunteers enhance their communication skills.
Sanctuaries are not only places of refuge for animals but also centers of education and inspiration for visitors of all ages. Communicating effectively with young people and other visitors is essential in fostering a deep understanding of animal welfare, empathy, and the importance of ethical treatment of all beings.
In this interactive session, presenters from HEART will introduce practical strategies for incorporating humane communication techniques, which includes nonviolent communication and inclusive methods, into everyday interactions. Participants will explore how to embody empathy and compassion in their conversations, ensuring that their messages resonate with diverse audiences in a meaningful and respectful way.
What to Expect:
- Learn key principles of humane communication and their relevance to sanctuary settings.
- Discover techniques that promote inclusivity, understanding, and engagement.
- Participate in optional roleplay exercises to practice new communication approaches.
- Reflect on personal communication styles and explore opportunities for growth.
- Discuss real-world applications of these techniques in sanctuary environments, classrooms, and online settings.
This webinar builds upon a previous HEART session for GFAS sanctuaries, held in October 2024, on developing educational programs for young visitors. Whether you work directly with visitors, lead educational programs, or communicate through social media and other digital platforms, this training will provide valuable insights to enhance your interactions and inspire action.
We encourage all sanctuary staff and volunteers to take advantage of this unique opportunity to refine their communication skills and create meaningful connections with those who visit and support their sanctuary’s mission.
Reserve your spot today!
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 11 at 1:00pm EST
Presented by: Kristina Hulvershorn, Program Director and Bob Schwalb, Humane Education Instructor, HEART.
Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y5yvnAxtS_mQZdcEIKMmqA
Avian Influenza (HPAI) Follow Up
For Accredited and Verified groups, GFAS Accredited, Foster Parrots, in Rhode Island, has graciously provided their bio-security protocol as a sample in the GFAS Resources Portal. GFAS Certified groups can access the Sanctuary Resources Portal here.
HPAI is a zoonotic disease, please update protocols according to your species and particular set up. Stay up to date with cases in your state and county through the USDA’s wild bird surveillance dashboard here:
More informative links:
Home – The Open Sanctuary Project (type HPAI in search box to see multiple offerings)
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/index.html
https://www.woah.org/en/disease/avian-influenza/
Working with hundreds of sanctuaries around the world, we know some struggles are universal: fundraising, succession, staffing, strategic planning. But they don’t have to be; enter Dr. Gregg Tully.
Gregg has worked alongside us at GFAS for many years, as CEO of the Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), as an expert international site visitor, and more. Now, he’s lending his consulting skills to sanctuaries and animal welfare groups worldwide.
With over 15 years of experience in animal protection, his expertise in leadership and succession planning, crisis management, strategic planning, policy development, and fundraising strategy is an incredible asset to building capacity for sanctuaries. In such a niche field, having an animal welfare consultant with this specific expertise is, well, priceless.
As many of you work through your organization’s strategy for the coming year and beyond, we strongly encourage you to lean on Gregg to help you thoughtfully develop your organization’s future. You can learn more about Gregg Tully at https://greggtully.org/ or contact him at
A Hearty Welcome to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
It’s our pleasure to announce the first Accreditation of a wildlife rehabilitation center and sanctuary in Canada! Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a highly ethical and skilled organization that rehabilitates and releases a host of native species including bear, fox, raccoons, semi-aquatic mammals and others. This standout organization also has the distinction of being the only facility in Ontario actively rehabilitating moose. For animals unable to be returned to the wild, Aspen Valley provides a peaceful permanent home in beautiful and expansive natural habitats.
In addition to animal care expertise, Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, delivers comprehensive education programs to raise awareness about living in harmony with wildlife, and encouraging the public to understand and protect local ecosystems. To learn more, please visit www.aspenvalley.ca.
Welcome to the GFAS family, Aspen Valley, and thank you for your commitment to wildlife in need of a second chance.
Registration is Open for 2025 ASPCA Right Horse Summit
It’s time to register for the 2025 ASPCA Right Horse Summit taking place March 18-20 in Fort Worth, Texas. With a chock-full schedule of sessions, line dancing lessons, a themed cocktail hour and hands-on time with horses at the beautiful Humane Society of North Texas, this is an event you don’t want to miss.
Certification and Renewals
Over the past month GFAS has certified four new organizations and renewed five groups!
Congratulations to these groups!
New
Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Ontario Canada
Little River Farm-by Peace Ridge Sanctuary, Maine
Northeast Equine Sanctuary-by Peace Ridge Sanctuary, Maine
Sanctuary Horses, Wyoming
Renewal
Farm Sanctuary-Watkins Glen, NY
Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, Maine
Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, Colorado
Peace Ridge-Brooks, Maine
Wild Futures, Cornwall, United Kingdom