The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to Primarily Primates Inc. as of Oct. 18, 2022.

Accreditation means that Primarily Primates Inc., which is managed by Friends of Animals, meets the criteria of a true animal sanctuary and is providing humane and responsible care of the 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 they must also adhere to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles. Accreditation status also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors and grantors to recognize Primarily Primates Inc. as an exceptional organization.

“We are proud to announce the recent Accreditation of Primarily Primates Inc., a sanctuary providing high-quality, compassionate care to chimpanzees, baboons, Old and New World monkeys, and a variety of other animals,” said Kristin Leppert, GFAS Program Director-Wildlife. “With new leadership and increased care staff, the sanctuary is moving forward with renewed direction. Primarily Primates has worked tirelessly on revamping their infrastructure through thorough winterization preparations, expanded chimpanzee habitats and a full audit of key protocols. Further upgrades are in the works throughout the sanctuary, and GFAS stands in full support of the course Primarily Primates has charted forward.”

"Primarily Primates Inc. has a great team of people who really supported this endeavor to become accredited. I am grateful to the staff, volunteers, donors, community supporters, and our extended team at Friends of Animals for going above and beyond to help us achieve this milestone. We have many plans for the direction of the sanctuary. The future is limitless for us!" said Krystal Mathis, Executive Director of Primarily Primates Inc.

Primarily Primates, Inc. (PPI) is a not-for-profit sanctuary providing permanent, lifetime care and housing for rescued animals, mostly primates. The animals residing in sanctuary have been saved from biomedical research, the pet trade, and/or the entertainment industry. PPI cares for each animal individually and holistically, focusing on both physical and psychological health. PPI was founded in 1978, making it the first primate sanctuary in North America and the first to rescue chimpanzees requiring lifetime care following medical research. As a true sanctuary, PPI is not open to the general public and does not breed, sell, trade or use animals commercially. A community of supporters and collaborators keeps PPI energized and maintained. PPI is committed to giving each animal, for the remainder of her or his life, a life free of exploitation.

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 The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries. www.sanctuaryfederation.org.