Author: Robin Mason, GFAS

(Washington DC) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries and wildlife rescue centers, is pleased to announce that Animals Asia’s bear sanctuaries in Chengdu, China and Tam Dao, Vietnam have achieved GFAS Accreditation as of August 21, 2014. They are the first organizations in their respective countries to be accredited by GFAS.

The accreditation signifies that both sanctuaries meet GFAS’ rigorous standards, as confirmed by site visits, for the definition of a true sanctuary and humane and responsible care of animals. Both sanctuaries also demonstrate excellence in areas of safety and security, veterinary care, governance, and financial and other organizational sustainability. The accreditation status provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors, and government agencies to recognize the China Bear Rescue Centre and Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre as outstanding sanctuaries.

“Animals Asia’s sanctuaries in Chengdu and Tam Dao are exemplars of sanctuary care and management,” said Jackie Bennett, GFAS’ Deputy Director, Great Apes and Regional Accreditation. “So many of the bears that arrive at these sanctuaries have suffered great physical and emotional trauma, requiring specialized care and a lengthy rehabilitation process. Everyone involved in their care is committed to providing the bears with the best possible life. We also commend Animals Asia’s strong commitment to putting an end to bear bile farming through its powerful public awareness campaigns and its outreach to government authorities and the traditional medicine community.”

Animals Asia’s bear sanctuaries in China and Vietnam not only rehabilitate and care for bears rescued from the bear bile industry – their team also gathers vital evidence of the effects of bile extraction. Both sanctuaries provide comfortable dens and semi-natural enclosures where bears are able to recover in safety and spend the remaining years of their lives in the company of other bears. Over 400 farmed bears have been received into their care – mostly Asiatic black bears, but also brown bears and Malayan sun bears.

The successful rehabilitation of bears as well as their ongoing care involves embracing an integrated approach. The bears’ behavior and well-being are closely monitored by bear and vet teams through regular health checks and daily observations. Both centres have comprehensive enrichment and management programs in place. This not only ensures the bears receive the best care possible, but also enables staff to gather vital scientific evidence on the physical and psychological effects of bile extraction.

Reports and papers published by the teams have helped to raise the profile of the moon bear within the scientific community and to increase public awareness of the terrible cruelty involved in the bear bile farming industry. The sanctuaries also provide direct employment for over 250 Chinese and Vietnamese people in areas such as bear care, horticulture, food preparation and security. Several hundred local people are employed indirectly through services and construction.

“At our Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre we were delighted to receive the news that we have been awarded Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries accreditation,” said Annemarie Weegenaar, Vet and Bear Team Director Vietnam. “The accreditation team has been incredibly helpful taking us through the process, step by step. It has been an extremely useful exercise involving looking at our protocols and processes in detail and identifying areas where we can continue to improve. We are always looking at improvement at the sanctuaries to ensure the best possible care is provided to our bears and Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries has truly helped us with that. The process could have not been completed without the tremendous help of all our staff at the sanctuary, ensuring all protocols are followed and the sanctuary is maintained to the highest standard.”

Vet & Bear Team Director China, Nic Field added, “The Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre team are thrilled to learn that we have achieved accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. As a sanctuary and an organisation we have always taken pride in aspiring to the highest standards of care for the bears. I would like to extend my grateful thanks to Jackie Bennett at GFAS for guiding us through this process, which has been a learning experience too for all concerned. I also want to say a huge thank you to all the sanctuary team. I simply cannot praise them enough for working together as a team, not only for the GFAS accreditation, but every single day to make the sanctuary what it is today. They constantly strive to further develop procedures, practices, facilities and the care of the bears.” 

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. The GFAS Board of Directors guides the organization’s work in a collaborative manner. While the Board includes those in top leadership at Born Free USA, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, the ASPCA, and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all Board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries.

For more information, please visit localhost.

About Animals Asia

Animals Asia is devoted to ending the barbaric practice of bear bile farming and improving the welfare of animals in China and Vietnam. We promote compassion and respect for all animals and work to bring about long-term change.

Founded in 1998, the Animals Asia team has been rescuing moon bears since 1994 and is the only organisation with a bear sanctuary in China. Our founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, Dr.med.vet. h.c., is widely recognised as the world’s leading expert on the cruel bear bile industry, having campaigned against it since 1993. Animals Asia has rescued over 400 bears.

For more information, please visit http://www.animalsasia.org.

Download press release here.

(Mount Airy, MD) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue Society,  effective February 20, 2014.

Accreditation means that Gentle Giants meets the criteria of a true equine sanctuary/rescue and is providing humane and responsible care for its animals.  To be awarded Accredited status, an organization must meet GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed animal care standards, which are confirmed by a site visit and adherence to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles to ensure its integrity, accountability, and long-term success.

“We are very happy to announce the recent Accreditation of Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue Society,” said Jackie Beckstead, Director of Accreditation and Field Operations for GFAS.  “This organization demonstrates broad expertise in the welfare of equines, and in particular draft horses.  Gentle Giants is committed to educating the public on the special needs of the large-breed equines and on the important issues of horse slaughter, equine welfare, and animal rescue.  They consistently provide high quality of care for all their animals.  Gentle Giants’ dedication to integrity and their long term strategic vision will ensure leadership in equine rescue and welfare for many years to come.”

“Gentle Giants has long prided itself on providing the best possible care and training of its rescued horses, and works continuously to improve the public perception of horse rescues in the US,” said Christine Hajek , President and Founder of Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue Society. “GFAS accreditation provides us with a lengthy and demanding set of benchmarks to assure donors that our organization is providing good care to our animals, is reputable, and is using precious donor funds appropriately.  We are honored to be accredited by GFAS, and we encourage other horse rescue groups who are serious about their work to consider joining the list of GFAS-accredited and verified organizations.”

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. The GFAS Board of Directors guides the organization’s work in a collaborative manner. While the board includes those in top leadership at Born Free USA, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, the ASPCA, and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries.  Visit localhost to learn more.

About Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue Society
Established in 2005, Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue was formed to facilitate the rescue of draft and draft-cross horses from slaughter, abuse, and neglect.  Gentle Giants is a 501(c)(3) organization devoted to raising public awareness through the use of brochures, pamphlets, and public presentations on the topics of horse slaughter and cruelty, the responsibilities of horse ownership, the over-population and over-breeding of horses, and how over-breeding contributes to the horse slaughter industry.  Gentle Giants houses over 60 draft horses, and has placed over 300 draft-breed horses into adoptive homes.  To learn more about how Gentle Giants is working to end horse slaughter and protecting America’s draft horses, please visit www.GentleGiantsDraftHorseRescue.org, or call 443.285.3835.

About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare.  One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.  As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach, and animal health services.  The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit.  For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.  To become a fan of ASPCA on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/aspca.  To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/aspca.

Download press release here.

(Eagle, CO) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, Inc., of Eagle, Colorado, on February 20, 2014.

View the entire press release here.

Watkins Glen, NY – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is honored to announce that the farm animal sanctuary owned and operated by Farm Sanctuary, Inc., in Watkins Glen, NY — the country’s very first sanctuary for abused and neglected farm animals and the inspiration for countless others since — has achieved GFAS Accreditation.

“Farm Sanctuary does an outstanding job of providing excellent care to its animals, and using its sanctuary as an educational tool to raise awareness of farm animal welfare issues,” said Jackie Beckstead, Director of Accreditation and Field Operations for GFAS.

View the entire press release here.

(Chesapeake City, MD) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Inc. on January 16, 2014.

Accredited means that MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Inc. meets the comprehensive and rigorous definition of a true sanctuary and is providing humane and responsible care of equines, meeting rigorous and peer-reviewed standards for operations, administration, and veterinary care established by GFAS, which is the only globally-recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries.  The accreditation status also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors, and government agencies to recognize MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Inc. as an exceptional sanctuary.

Read the entire press release here.

(Upper Marlboro, MD) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to Thoroughbred Placement Resources, Inc. on December 19, 2013.

Accredited means that Thoroughbred Placement Resources, Inc. meets the comprehensive and rigorous definition of a true sanctuary and is providing humane and responsible care of equines, meeting rigorous and peer-reviewed standards for operations, administration, and veterinary care established by GFAS, which is the only globally-recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries.  The accreditation status also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors, and government agencies to recognize Thoroughbred Placement Resources, Inc. as an exceptional sanctuary.

View the entire press release here.