The GFAS Carole Noon Award for Sanctuary Excellence
International Award for Animal Sanctuary Excellence Presented to
The Donkey Sanctuary
December 7, 2012
The Donkey Sanctuary recognised with global award for Sanctuary Excellence
International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary has been awarded the 2012 Carole Noon Award for Sanctuary Excellence by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS).
The award was presented to David Cook, chief executive of The Donkey Sanctuary, in recognition of the high standards of care the organisation achieves in its work providing sanctuary to abandoned and mistreated donkeys and its projects improving the welfare of working donkeys in 28 countries worldwide.
The Carole Noon Award for Sanctuary Excellence is given annually to a sanctuary or individual who embodies and puts into practice the GFAS philosophy of vision, dedication and excellence in animal care. It memorializes Carole Noon, Ph.D., the founder of Save the Chimps, a Florida chimpanzee sanctuary.
David Cook says: “We have been working since 1969 to improve conditions for donkeys and mules and it is wonderful that GFAS has recognised our achievements and the hard work of our staff in improving the welfare of working animals. Thanks to our dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters we are able to make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of thousands of donkeys and the families that rely on them.”
–Chris Draper, European Coordinator for GFAS says: “The excellent reputation of the Donkey Sanctuary is widely recognised, and I am delighted to present the award on behalf of GFAS to The Donkey Sanctuary in recognition of their efforts to raise awareness of animal welfare problems and implement solutions worldwide.”
The Donkey Sanctuary is open for visitors every day of the year with free admission and parking. To find out more about visiting the charity’s headquarters in Sidmouth or about the charity’s work, visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk or call 01395 578222.
Quick Facts about The Donkey Sanctuary:
- The Donkey Sanctuary was founded in 1969 by the late Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE
- The Donkey Sanctuary has provided sanctuary to over 15,200 animals over the last 40 years
- In 2011 The Donkey Sanctuary’s international veterinary teams treated 403,000 donkeys and mules
- The Donkey Sanctuary has eight farms in the UK housing over 2,500 donkeys and mules
- The charity operates six UK centres that provide donkey assisted therapy to children with special needs and residents of hospices and nursing homes
- The charity supports projects in 28 countries with major projects in Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Mexico
About The Donkey Sanctuary
International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary was founded by the late Dr Elisabeth Svendsen M.B.E. in 1969. It supports projects to alleviate the suffering of donkeys in 28 countries worldwide, including sanctuaries across Europe, where more than 15,000 donkeys and mules have been cared for, and major projects in Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Mexico, where donkey welfare is improved through community education and veterinary work. It also provides donkey-assisted therapy for children with additional needs and therapeutic visits for elderly people in the local community from centres in Belfast, Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds, Manchester and Sidmouth.
For further information telephone: 01395 578222, view www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk or visit the charity’s headquarters near Sidmouth in Devon (open 365 days/free admission).
About Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) was formed in 2007 by globally recognized leaders in the field of animal protection for the purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries worldwide. GFAS has created a rigorous accreditation process to identify rescue facilities/sanctuaries that are providing animals the highest standards of care, conducting a thorough evaluation of sanctuary structure and governance, finances, community outreach, education, staffing, physical facilities, advocacy, security/safety, the veterinary medical program and specific animal care standards. GFAS is the first animal sanctuary accrediting organization to take on this task at an international level. GFAS also educates the public on the causes and conditions of displaced animals and solutions, and the compelling need to actively support accredited sanctuaries.
For more information on GFAS, visit www.sanctuaryfederation.org. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries is a 501(c)3 charitable organization in the USA and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Carole Noon, PhD exemplified this with the following traits:
• an innovative spirit, creating solutions to overwhelming challenges;
• a deep knowledge of those entrusted to the care of the sanctuary;
• and a dedication to animals; and
• a determination to succeed that manifested in a commitment to ensure humane
and responsible care for the lifetime of each of the sanctuary residents.