Many animal programs carry the mislabeled claim of “sanctuary” while offering something vastly different - a life in which animals are deprived of natural behaviors and a natural environment, and in which they are exploited for human use. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) was formed in 2007 by nationally and globally recognized leaders in the animal protection field for the sole purpose of strengthening, supporting, and promoting the work of true animal sanctuaries worldwide.
For GFAS, a sanctuary is a facility providing temporary or permanent safe haven to animals in need while meeting the principles of true sanctuaries. These principles include no commercial trade of animals, no captive breeding unless part of a bona fide breeding for release program, no invasive research, and no direct contact between wildlife and the public.
GFAS’ primary work is our accreditation program. Today there are nearly 200 GFAS certified sanctuaries on five continents. These include sanctuaries that provide lifetime care to animals, rescue organizations that seek permanent adoptive homes for species such as equines, and rehabilitation centers that care for and prepare animals for a release back to the wild.