The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) certified the Zoo Ave Animal Rescue Center and Las Pumas Rescue center for their high standards in animal wellness and conservation of wildlife.

The accreditation was decided after a long process of evaluation and the recognition was given during a ceremony with the participation of the Ministry of Environment and the organization Human Society.

“This accreditation is a big step in the right direction to ensure that wildlife animals that are received in our rescue centers, receive a treatment beyond the standard. Each rescue center has principals of excellence, scientific criteria and conservation initiatives; this designation strengthens the application of the new regulations established in the Ley de Conservación de la Vida Silvestre (Wildlife Conservation Law), since it recognizes and supports all Rescue Centers that wish to work with the conservation of wildlife through strategic alliances with international organisms and the Ministry”, stated Patricia Madrigal from the Ministry of Environment.

According to Jeanne Marie Pittman, director of GFAS for North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, there are thousands of entities worldwide that are described as sanctuaries or wildlife rescue centers; however, the quality and nature of these institutions varies wildly. GFAS was formed by leaders of the biggest organizations of animal wellness in the world with the objective of recognizing those that comply with standards of care based in the best and most current practices of management and veterinary care of different species and principals of conservation of the same; as well as organizations that are committed with ethical principles and the transparency in their finances and management of sites in general.

Costa Rica is the country with larger number of GFAS’ high standard certified centers in the entire Latin American Region.