November 30, 2012 (Lexington, VA) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center (HTRC) as of November 25, 2012.
Verification means that Hoofbeats meets the criteria of a true equine sanctuary/rescue and is providing humane and responsible care of the animals. To be awarded Verified 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.
“Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center provides a valuable service not only for children and adults, but also for equines in need of new homes and new beginnings,” said Jeannine Alexander, GFAS Deputy Director-Equine. “Equines donated to the center find new careers and companionship and then upon retirement are placed in forever homes that provide a safe haven for the rest of their lives.”
“Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center is delighted to be a member of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries,” said Carol Branscome, director of the Lexington, Virginia facility. “We feel strongly that GFAS state-of-the-art animal care guidelines will benefit our hard-working therapy horses and enhance our program.”
The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by generous grants from PetSmart Charities® and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®.
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 worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting sanctuaries 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. They represent top leadership from Born Free USA, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, American Anti-Vivisection Society, and National Anti-Vivisection Society. www.sanctuaryfederation.org.
About Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center
Hoofbeats is a nonprofit organization that offers therapeutic riding to children and adults with disabilities of all kinds as well as those suffering from serious illnesses and injuries. Hoofbeats is a premier center of the Professional
Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International and a member center of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia. “Hoofbeats is powered by volunteers and built on the unconditional love that our horses give each and every rider,” Branscome said. “It is a place where horses make miracles happen each day.” For more information, visit www.hoof-beats.com or call 540-464-3337.
About PetSmart Charities®
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues, and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities® has provided more than $134 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 4.7 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org. To become a fan of the ASPCA on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/aspca. To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/aspca.
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