Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Supporting the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Recognizing that a key element of any good set of standards is compliance and enforcement, The Homes for Horses Coalition is actively supporting and promoting the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). 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 and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries and rescue facilities in the United States and abroad.With the establishment of clear, specific guidelines on the humane care of various species including equine and the provision of an objective and realistic accreditation process for the field on an international level, GFAS brings new opportunities for global cooperation and mentoring. GFAS aims to aid sanctuaries and rescues in striving for continuous improvement, in attracting more support from funders, and in providing the best care possible for rescued animals.The AWI/HSUS “Basic Guidelines for Operating an Equine Rescue or Retirement Facility” have been used to shape the GFAS equine standards and The Homes for Horses Coalition will work with its members to encourage and assist them in attaining GFAS accreditation.
GFAS accreditation helps to professionalize the equine rescue/sanctuary industry and provides credibility for donors, potential adopters and law enforcement agencies who seek reputable organizations. For rescues, the process helps establish better standards, guidelines and record-keeping, and can increase access to grants and other funding.
The following equine rescues are GFAS-accredited:
- “Brook Hill Retirement Center, Forest, VA
- Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Saugerties, NY
- Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, Murchison, TX
- Colorado Horse Rescue, Longmont, CO
- Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Longmont, CO
- Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Woodbine, MD
- Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary, Green Valley, AZ
- Front Range Equine Rescue, Ocala, FL
- Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue, Mount Airy, MD
- Glen Ellen Vocational Academy, Glen Ellen, CA
- Horse Harbor Foundation, Poulsbo, WA
- Humanity for Horses, Mount Shasta, CA
- Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Dover Plains, NY
- MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Chesapeake City, MD
- Missouri Forget Me Not Horse Rescue and Sanctuary, Linn Creek, MO
- Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Inc., Salem, CT
- Peaceful Ridge Rescue, Davie, FL
- Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, San Angelo, TX
- Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc., Lyerly, GA
- Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Lockwood, CA
- Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines, Pottstown, PA
- Safe Harbor Equine and Livestock Sanctuary, Cottontown, TN
- Safe Haven Equine Rescue and Retirement Home, Gilmer, TX
- South Florida SPCA, Homestead, FL
- This Old Horse, Inc., Hastings, MN
- Thoroughbred Placement Resources, Inc., Upper Marlboro, MD
- The Duchess Sanctuary, Oakland, OR
- United Pegasus Foundation, Tehachapi, CA
- White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue, Burkeville, VA
- Zuma’s Rescue Ranch, Littleton, CO
The following equine rescues are GFAS-verified:
- Alaqua Animal Refuge, Freeport, FL
- All About Equine Animal Rescue, Eldorado Hills, CA
- Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary, Inc., Elkhart Lake, WI
- American Horse Adoption operated by Saddlebred Rescue, Inc., Hardwick, NJ
- Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc., Morriston, FL
- Beech Brook Farm Equine Rescue, Mystic, CT
- Blue Horse Mukwa Equine Retirement and Rescue Center, Chase City, VA
- California Coastal Horse Rescue, Oak View, CA
- Carolina Equine Rescue & Assistance, CERA, Wingate, NC
- Central Virginia Horse Rescue, Brodnax, VA
- Crossfire Equine Rescue, Dayton, TX
- Crosswinds Equine Rescue, Sidell, IL
- DreamCatcher Horse Ranch and Rescue Center, Clermont, FL
- Dreamchaser PMU Rescue and Rehabilitation, Falcon, MO
- End of the Road Ranch Horse Rescue, Silver City, NM
- Equamore Foundation, Ashland, OR
- Equine Aid and Donkey Rescue of Washington, Monroe, WA
- Equine Outreach, Bend, OR
- Equine Rescue & Adoption Foundation, Palm City, FL
- Equine Rescue Inc., Walden, NY
- Equine Rescue League Foundation, Leesburg, VA
- Faith Equine Rescue, Mulberry, FL
- Far View Horse Rescue, Fairplay, CO
- F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Horse Rescue & Sanctuary, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Godspeed Horse Hostel Inc, Amenia, NY
- Hanaeleh Horse Rescue, Trabuco Canyon, CA
- Hope Equine Rescue, Auburndale, FL
- Hope In The Valley Equine Rescue, Valley Center, KS
- Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation, Guthrie, OK
- Horse Feathers Equine Rescue, Guthrie, OK
- Horse Haven of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
- Horse Help Providers, Inc. (DoubleHP), Crooks, SD
- Horse Helpers of the High Country, Zionville, NC
- Horse Protection Association of Florida, Micanopy, FL
- Howey Horse Haven Rescue, Howey In The Hills, FL
- Illinois Equine Humane Center, Bog Rock, IL
- Kentucky Equine Humane Center, Lexington, KY
- Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation, Pittsville, WI
- Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, Eagle, CO
- North Shore Horse Rescue, Baiting Hollow, NY
- Panhandle Equine Rescue, Cantonment, FL
- Pregnant Mare Rescue, Aptos, CA
- Rainbow Meadows Rescue and Retirement, Sedan, KS
- Red Bucket Equine Rescue @ Red Bucket Ranch, Chino Hills, CA
- Sadie’s Haven Horse Rescue & Sanctuary, Sebastopol, CA
- Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE), Redmond, WA
- SHERR NC – Safe Haven Equine Rescue & Retirement, High Point, NC
- Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary, Louisa, VA
- Shooting Star Equine Rescue, Inc., Wakarusa, KS
- So Cal Mini Horse Sanctuary, West Hemet, CA
- Southern Winds Equine Rescue & Reovery Center, Inc, Udall, KS
- Speak Up For Horses, Falmouth, KY
- SquirrelWood Equine Sanctuary, Inc, Montgomery, NY
- Sundown Horse Shelter, Hugo, MN
- Throwaway Ponies, Rockwall, TX
- Triple H Miniature Horse Rescue, Bismarck, ND
- True Innocents Equine Rescue, Riverside, CA
- Wild Horse Rescue Center, Mims, FL
You must meet the following criteria:
- Provide humane and responsible care of equines (as confirmed by a site visit).
- Successfully secure 501c3 non-profit status.
- No intentional breeding of equines can occur and facilities must employ sound practices to prevent propagation.
- No commercial trade of horses (except adoptions fees in connection with adoption criteria and contracts, and purchase of
- animals to avoid slaughter).
- Facilities are prohibited from making animals available for participation in research studies (unless the studies are strictly
- observational, non-invasive and clearly in the best interest of each equine).
For accreditation, there are additional criteria to be met in these areas:
- Governing Authority
- Finance
- Guidelines (regarding acquisition, handling, commercial activities and more)
- Education and Outreach
- Staffing
- Physical Facilities
- Security/Safety
- Veterinary Medical Program