Project Chimps Earns Accreditation by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)

February 7, 2018, (Washington DC) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to Project Chimps as of February 1, 2018. Project Chimps is the newest chimpanzee sanctuary in the United States and provides lifelong care to former research chimpanzees at a forested, 236-acre sanctuary in north Georgia.

Achieving GFAS Accreditation means that Project Chimps meets the criteria of a true sanctuary and is providing humane and responsible care of the animals. To be awarded Accreditation status, an organization must meet GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed animal care standards and also adhere to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles. The accreditation status provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors and grantors to recognize Project Chimps as an exceptional sanctuary.

“We are proud to announce the recent Accreditation of Project Chimps” said Jeanne Marie Pittman, GFAS Program Director for North, South and Central America. “This is a truly amazing facility with a highly experienced and dedicated staff” says Pittman, “and it is wonderful to seeing chimpanzees retired from research enjoying the life they truly deserve”.

Project Chimps purchased a former gorilla sanctuary near Blue Ridge, Georgia, in 2015. The facility currently includes several great ape housing “villas,” a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic, a kitchen made possible by Rachael Ray, a six-acre outdoor habitat, and a large chimp-introduction building where chimpanzee groups will be integrated and socialized. To date, 31 chimps have been transferred to their permanent home in the sanctuary. Approximately 20 additional chimps are expected to join them in the first half of 2018. The organization is raising private funds to expand the sanctuary in the coming years to eventually care for more than 200 former research chimpanzees.

“Project Chimps welcomes third-party inspection and oversight, and we are grateful to GFAS for their thorough review of our policies, practices, and facilities. The accreditation process will facilitate our efforts to continually assess and improve our operations and management,” said Ali Crumpacker, executive director of Project Chimps.

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 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.

About Project Chimps

Project Chimps was founded in 2014 to provide lifetime care to former research chimpanzees at its sanctuary on 236-acres of forested land in north Georgia. In 2015, Project Chimps reached an agreement with the biomedical research laboratory that has the largest population of privately-owned chimpanzees in the United States in order to bring more than 200 chimpanzees to Project Chimps’ sanctuary. Project Chimps is privately funded and in the process of transferring these intelligent and sentient beings from the lab to their new homes, where they will spend the remainder of their lives. https://www.projectchimps.org/