Sanctuary Awards Week
It is almost time to announce the 2025 Carole Noon and Outstanding Sanctuary Award winners! To celebrate these amazing individuals and sanctuaries/rescues, we have a week of virtual events which culminate in the Virtual Awards Ceremony.
During the week of October 20, we have three free to attend, very informative presentations from many different experts in the animal welfare field. Topics include Identifying and Achieving Your Goals, Writing Effective Protocols and Building Trust Online: What Your Donors and Volunteers Expect From Your Website. You can view details about these sessions and register for any you are interested in attending on our website.
On Friday, October 24th at 10:00 a.m. pacific/1:00 p.m. eastern, we would love for you to join us at the Virtual Awards Ceremony. You will get the chance to hear from and about the winners in each category. If you’d like to register to attend, you can register here.
Giving Day for Apes 2025:
Over $800,000 Raised to Support Ape Sanctuaries Worldwide
The 2025 Giving Day for Apes event was nothing short of extraordinary! On October 7, sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers around the world came together to celebrate and raise much-needed funds for the apes in their care, and thanks to the incredible generosity of thousands of donors, an astounding $811,125 was raised.
This global day of giving not only fuels critical daily care for apes – providing food, veterinary support, enrichment, and safe spaces – but also strengthens the capacity of sanctuaries to protect and advocate for apes who have been rescued from the pet trade, entertainment, research, and the effects of human conflict, habitat loss, and poaching.
Thirty-five organizations benefited from the funds raised and prizes awarded, which reward creativity, outreach, and community engagement. These funds will go directly toward improving living conditions, expanding rescue operations, and supporting long-term care for apes across Africa, Asia, and North America.
GFAS is honored and deeply proud to host Giving Day for Apes each year. Seeing the sanctuary community come together, staff, volunteers, and supporters alike, to celebrate and champion apes inspires us all. The compassion, energy, and dedication on display this year truly exemplified what makes this global movement so special.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our 2025 event sponsors: the American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS), the Arcus Foundation, the David Bohnett Foundation, and the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA). Their continued partnership and generosity make this event possible and help ensure a brighter future for apes everywhere.
From all of us at GFAS, thank you for making Giving Day for Apes 2025 one for the record books!
Note from our Board Chair, Dr. Allan Kornberg
I first met Dr. Goodall at Foster Parrots, a GFAS accredited sanctuary in Rhode Island, USA. Coincidence or good karma, the day before, my copy of National Geographic’s magazine appeared in my mailbox with the cover photo and story being the young Jane Goodall in her khakis in Gombe, (now) Tanzania. I was immediately touched as she entered Foster Parrots carrying three stuffed animals: a chimp of course, a cow, and a rat, messaging with her quiet strength, a determination to see our species’ abuse of our fellow creatures end.
While there were at least 50 people at Foster Parrots that day, after her general remarks, Jane spent individual time with each and every one. She had this extraordinary ability to have the person she was meeting with feel special, not rushed, the only person in Jane’s world for what seemed like a very long time.
Dr. Goodall was glad to learn of GFAS’ mission, and the many extraordinary sanctuaries we work with. She wrote a note to my wife on the cover of ‘her’ Nat Geo, which earned me brownie points for life! 😊 Jane asked if I would support a colleague early in her career, Dr. Anna Katogiritis, of Veterinary Global Aid, and I said, “of course.” This outstanding match by Dr. G. has developed into a longstanding, fulfilling professional role.
Dr. Goodall passed just a few days ago as she lived her life, continuing to work tirelessly protecting those who are otherwise voiceless. Our world will long miss her humble grace, her quiet strength, her impact, as we are reminded to cultivate kindness and compassion, offering protection especially for those who are otherwise defenseless. May her memory be a blessing.
Chuffs to the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance for another successful conference!
The Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA), speaks with a unified voice on issues affecting big cats, fosters collaboration between the big cat sanctuary community and supports members in providing excellent captive animal care through continuing education, and building sustainable non-profits.
The BCSA is now in its 6th year of presenting an independently hosted and produced professional education and networking conference for member groups. This year’s sanctuary host was Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in San Andreas, California.
Sanctuary professionals from around the country participated in workshops and sessions focusing on adapting to the changing rescue landscape for big cat sanctuaries. Attendees were treated to a PAWS sanctuary tour on the final day.
GFAS is a proud member and supporter of the BCSA. Keep up the great work on behalf of wild cats in need!
Here at GFAS we spend a lot of time on safety. Our member sanctuaries can tell you how often we recommend boosts to their fire and security systems – for the sake of the animals. Sadly, animal facilities are prone to fire risk due to the number of combustibles and predominance of old construction and wiring. Security risks should also be taken seriously given the number of animals who arrive in sanctuary through law enforcement or from volatile circumstances.
Oftentimes, finding sanctuary-friendly protection systems is tricky – classic smoke alarms don’t work well in barns as they frequently sound false alarms. Spotty Wi-Fi plagues many properties and makes monitoring alarms and cameras difficult. Sound like a headache? Let the pros help.
On a recent site visit, we met a representative from Pavion. They provide systems integration, professional fire and security system installation, monitoring, and maintenance. Not only do they come out to the property to decide what needs a sanctuary has, but their representatives correctly install devices, provide 24/7 monitoring and come out several times a year to maintain it all. When issues arise, their representatives will come out within 3-5 days to fix them. Their knowledge of unique sanctuary needs impressed us.
They will conduct a FREE site assessment, make recommendations for your unique situation and provide a quote for services at no cost. They have subscription models that include full-service plans to help spread the cost of installation out and can even help provide budget and rational for security grants to cover the cost.
If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to and they will connect you with your local office.
Certifications and Renewals
Over the past month GFAS has certified one new group and renewed five organizations!
Congratulations to all these groups!
New Certifications
Parsons Animal Rescue, Alberta, Canada
Renewal
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Washington
Dorset Equine Rescue, Vermont
Saving Horses, California
This Old Horse, Minnesota
Wild At Heart Horse Rescue, California