Photo Contest to Celebrate International Tiger Day
Tigers in America and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries are pleased to announce our annual photo and video contest to celebrate International Tiger Day, July 29, 2025.
There are more tigers in captivity in the United States than exist in the wild, sadly, often kept by breeders, circuses, dealers, and private individuals as pets. Although tigers and other big cats best belong in the wild, this contest helps celebrate photos of big cats who are unable to be released, in the protective safety of true sanctuaries. The contest provides a platform for visual storytellers to highlight the plight of these animals living in captivity and promote their rescue. The contest, which aims to identify the best photo or video of a tiger or other big cat in the U.S., based on overall impact, technical photographic skill, and how well it provokes an emotional connection and portrays an individual animal’s story to the viewer, is open to all entrants. Photos and videos are captured in a careful, respectful manner which puts the welfare of the animals first, of course.
The contest will open for submissions on June 15, 2025, and run until July 15, 2025, with winners announced on July 29, 2025. Prizes include $1,000 for the winning submission and $100 each for five runners-up. Winning submissions will also be posted on the Tigers in America and GFAS websites and social media.
For more information on the contest, including instructions on how to apply and an entry form, please click here.
About Tigers in America
Tigers in America is an all-volunteer rescue organization. Since their inception in 2011 they have rescued and relocated more than 300 tigers and other big cats to accredited sanctuaries in this country. Learn more at https://www.tigersinamerica.org/
Giving Day for Apes Fundraising Cohort Commences
GFAS and our partner, GiveMN—a team of nonprofit fundraising strategists—are excited to have launched a fundraising training cohort for sanctuaries caring for Great Apes. The cohort’s participants are learning fundraising tools, and strategies, to apply to this year’s Giving Day for Apes event, as well as general fundraising efforts throughout the year. It began with a virtual kickoff gathering for the full cohort, and now small groups are meeting for monthly sessions with their coach. We are pleased to present this learning and networking opportunity where participants will receive expert training and connect with peers facing similar challenges and share insights that can elevate their fundraising efforts.
The cohort is supported through the generosity of the Arcus Foundation. arcusfoundation.org
To learn more about GiveMN, please visit: givemn.org
Sanctuaries at AVA Summit 2025
Last month, our Executive Director and Farmed Animal Program Director, Valerie and Jess, attended the Animals and Vegan Advocacy Summit in Los Angeles. There they spoke with countless sanctuary supporters, operators and animal advocates invested in the care of farmed animals. The resounding sentiment was one of deep respect and gratitude for the work of sanctuaries. Several folks told us that meeting a sanctuary resident forever changed their lives, making them into activists and vegans. Others told us that the safe spaces provided by sanctuaries have helped them heal alongside the animals. Sanctuary work can be isolating, but the ripple effects extend far and wide, to the betterment of the animal protection movement.
The conference attracted over 900 attendees, including over 40 sanctuary representatives. GFAS hosted a Sanctuary Meetup that allowed sanctuary operators to connect and collaborate in person – we were thrilled to see so many GFAS members there! The Summit allowed us to forge some important new connections to benefit sanctuary work and strengthen our relationships with longtime supporters. Thank you to One to Save Many for sponsoring our raffle this year and to all the folks who came to say hello!
Sanctuary Caregiver Day 2025
This month we celebrated Sanctuary Caregiver Day on June 13 to commemorate the incredible work and contributions of animal caregivers. All week long our social media features caregiver stories and appreciation. Sanctuary caregivers are skilled, resilient, resourceful and deeply empathetic people, who make rescue and sanctuary possible through their dedication. They work in all conditions, 365/24/7, to provide the high quality care we believe all animals deserve. While filled with purpose and joy, the work can also be physically and emotionally challenging as well as isolating, so we take this chance to emphasize the incredible work of animal caregivers and our deepest respect and gratitude. THANK YOU CAREGIVERS!
Sanctuary Caregiver Day was originally founded by GFAS and NAPSA, but we are now joined by a truly powerhouse partner network to support this initiative including: Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), Homes for Horses Coalition, The Open Sanctuary Project, Asia For Animals Sanctuary & Rescue Center Coalition (SARCC) and Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance.
Recorded Webinar: Budgeting in Uncertain Times
In these challenging economic times, we know many sanctuaries and rescue centers are feeling the strain. That’s why GFAS and our trusted partner, Non-Profit Books, are offering this recorded webinar, Budgeting in Uncertain Times, to provide practical tips and support – and remember, GFAS-certified organizations may also be eligible for discounted bookkeeping and accounting services through Non-Profit Books.
Link to webinar: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ct9Bv855pzxeearavbfeVceuWO1gJC6Q/view
GRACE Scores Historic Conservation Success with Rewilding of Gorillas
We are brimming with excitement over a recent announcement from GFAS Accredited, GRACE, (Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
After 15 years of dedication and hard work, four Grauer’s gorillas rescued and rehabilitated by GRACE have been successfully released into their natural habitat. The four females, Isangi, Lulingu, Mapendo, and Ndjingala were saved from the illegal wildlife trade as infants, rehabilitated, and now they are able to live as nature always intended. The females integrated with silverback Mwasa and his family group on the verdant slopes of Mt. Tshiaberimu in Virunga National Park.
This extraordinary accomplishment is a testament to the vision and strength of the entire GRACE team and their courage and tenacity to return Grauer’s gorillas where they belong—with each other—in the wild.
To learn more, please visit gracegorillas.org
Certifications and Renewals
Over the past month GFAS has certified one new organization, transitioned one organization from Verified to Accredited
and renewed three organizations!
Congratulations to all these groups!
New
Full Circle Farm Sanctuary, Georgia
Verified to Accredited
Dream Catcher Stables, Texas
Renewal
Far View Horse Rescue, Colorado
Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, Costa Rica
The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, Ontario, Canada