The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is proud to announce it has been re-accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). Reaccreditation occurs every three years through a rigorous, peer-reviewed process that includes a comprehensive site visit. This recognition confirms that The Sanctuary continues to meet GFAS’s highest standards of animal care and organizational sustainability.
GFAS accreditation is considered the gold standard in sanctuary excellence, ensuring that elephants receive optimal veterinary and husbandry care, that staff operate with the highest ethical and safety protocols, and that the organization demonstrates long-term financial stability and transparency.
“This reaccreditation affirms The Sanctuary’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of elephants,” said Janice Zeitlin, CEO. “It reflects the dedication of our staff to providing lifelong care for the elephants, and our responsibility to operate with integrity, accountability, and compassion.”
Since first becoming accredited by GFAS in 2014, The Elephant Sanctuary has remained committed to giving elephants vast habitats to roam, forage, and wallow; opportunities for herd socialization; and care grounded in non-dominant, positive-reinforcement training within a Protected Contact environment.