January 15, 2026 (Howell, MI) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accreditation status to Horses’ Haven as of December 25, 2025.
Horses’ Haven, located in Michigan, achieved GFAS Accreditation, meeting criteria for providing humane and responsible care to equines. With dedication and commitment to demonstrating high levels of professionalism, Horses’ Haven has achieved GFAS Accreditation. This certification signifies that Horses’ Haven meets GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed equine care standards which are confirmed by a comprehensive site visit. The Accreditation status also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors, and granters to recognize Horses’ Haven as an excellent organization.
“We are very proud to announce GFAS Accreditation status for Horses’ Haven.,” said Traci Hanson, GFAS Program Director – Equine, “The team at Horses’ Haven provides excellent care for rescued horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. These equines are provided a safe place to decompress and rehabilitate with the goal of finding them a forever home.”
Kristine Dvonch, Executive Director, Horses’ Haven states, “The GFAS Accreditation is incredibly important to Horses’ Haven. It shows our dedication to providing top notch care for every animal that crosses our gates. It shows our community and donors that we are the definition of “Sanctuary”- a safe place, a place of refuge.”
The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by a generous grant from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® and the Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust.
About Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the sole purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries, rescues, and rehabilitation centers worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting these animal care facilities is to ensure they are supported, honored, recognized, and rewarded for meeting important criteria in providing care to the animals in residence. GFAS was founded in 2007 by animal protection leaders from a number of different organizations in response to virtually unchecked and often hidden exploitation of animals for human entertainment and financial profit. For more information on GFAS, go to: www.sanctuaryfederation.org.
About Horses’ Haven
Founded in 1995, Horses’ Haven is a 501(c)(3) in Howell, Michigan. Our Mission is to Rescue, Rehabilitate, Retrain and Re-home at risk equines. We assist law enforcement agencies and accept surrendered horses from owners. Our goal is to find every horse in our care a forever home through adoption. This is accomplished through medical rehabilitation and training to ensure each horse, ridable or not, has the skills needed to be a good equine citizen. We are passionate in educating law enforcement, providing free hands-on clinics to give them the skills to evaluate, document and handle horses. That also extends to our up-and-coming veterinarians, allowing students from Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine opportunities to gain hands-on treatment experience in a real-life farm setting. Our Board of Directors, a small staff, and more than 130 volunteers are the foundation of caring for up to 70 equines at any given time. Horses’ Haven averages 100+ new intakes and 80+ adoptions per year. To learn more about Horses’ Haven, go to: https://www.horseshaven.org/.