Sponsoring a Former Research Chimp: A Dream Come True
Becoming a chimp sponsor at Project Chimps is a great way to support former research chimpanzees. At Project Chimps, sponsors help support their daily needs by providing nutritious food, exciting toys, challenging enrichment, and more!
Every sponsor has a story, and we’re grateful to each person who opens their heart to a former research chimpanzee. Today, we’re honored to introduce Reia, who’s sponsored chimp Amy for almost six years.
Meet Reia
Reia worked as a hospital nurse for 40 years before retiring in 2020. She lives in northeastern Pennsylvania and has been involved in animal welfare for most of her life.
“I’ve volunteered at various animal shelters and cat rescues over the past few decades,” she says. “I’m looking forward to volunteering at a farm sanctuary near me this year. I don’t really have a bucket list but if I did, visiting Project Chimps would be top of that list.”
Reia has been a vegetarian for over 35 years, and vegan for about 10!. She cites Jane Goodall as a personal hero since hearing her speak at a vegetarian convention in the 1980s.
Reia first learned about Project Chimps through the Humane Society of the United States.
“I loved that there were big plans for the sanctuary and that such a place existed,” she recalls. “I started writing letters in protest of biomedical research on chimps in the 1980s. When the laws finally did change, I couldn’t believe it. Seeing them in a sanctuary is a dream come true for me.”
A Bit About Amy
Like all the chimps now living at the sanctuary, Amy came to Project Chimps from a background in biomedical research.
Despite ongoing protests, federal policy still allowed invasive medical research on chimps, including very young ones. Amy was just three years old when she and six other chimps were used in a human virus study.
It took many years to end chimp exploitation in research. But thanks to the efforts of many caring advocates like Reia, their story doesn’t end there!
Building Connections
Amy was only nine years old when she came to Project Chimps. Reia has sponsored Amy for nearly six years — almost as long as she’s lived here!
“There was a picture of Amy on the website one day and her adorable little face jumped right off the page at me. I wanted to hug her,” laughs Reia. “She was so young, and I was so happy for her.”
Every donation we receive makes a positive difference for chimps like Amy. And while all donations support their care, sponsoring a former research chimp also build connections. Twice a year, sponsors of featured chimps like Amy receive email updates about their recent adventures in sanctuary.
In one of last year’s updates, we shared that Amy was really enjoying a new toy: the KONG Snugga Wubba dog toy. Whenever Amy found it in a room, she’d try getting the others to play with her by holding one end of the toy and bouncing it up and down on the floor. Once she caught the attention of another chimp, she’d set off in a game of chase!
After reading the update, Reia surprised us by generously ordering four more toys for Amy and her friends!
“I love when I get pictures and emails about her. Now that she’s a teenage girl, I hear she can be quite feisty! I love that about her. And that she has a couple of best friends.”
Thankful for Chimp Sponsors
Even though Reia and Amy have never met, they share a connection across hundreds of miles. Sponsors like Reia influence their lives every day, providing fresh produce, fun toys, soft blankets, and the freedom to choose how they spend each day at Project Chimps.
“Even if she’ll never know me, I love her.” Reia says. “If I could sponsor them all, I would!”
When you sponsor a former research chimp, you help them make choices they never could before! Whether that’s climbing trees, sunbathing, foraging outdoors, or socializing with the other members of their group, sponsoring a chimp at Project Chimps helps give them the freedom to choose.
Thank you, Reia, for your caring advocacy and for sponsoring Amy! We’re so thankful you’re part of the Project Chimps family!
Want to become a chimpanzee sponsor? Click here to learn how!