Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
patty@sanctuaryfederation.org 928.472.1173
Libby Schmittdiel, President
Healing Hearts Equine Rescue
schmittdiel@windstream.net
910.639.2482
February 7, 2012
Healing Hearts Equine Rescue in North Carolina is Verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
February 7, 2012 (Carthage, NC) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Healing Hearts Equine Rescue, December 15, 2011.
Verification means that Healing Hearts 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.
“Although established only a couple of years ago, Healing Hearts is truly making a difference in the lives of central North Carolina’s horses-in-need,” said Jeannine Alexander, GFAS Deputy Director-Equine. Libby Schmittdiel expressed her feelings about their accomplishment, saying ““We are honored to be Verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Healing Hearts Equine Rescue has a wonderful group of volunteers helping our equine friends and being awarded Verification will open more doors for our organization. It is so gratifying to be part of such a fabulous group of people at HHER. Thank you to all that have helped us get to where we are today and we are looking forward to helping more horses in the future.”
Healing Hearts Equine Rescue was awarded a compliance grant by GFAS to help make recommended improvements to meet Accreditation/Verification Standards. Compliance grant funding is made possible through a grant from PetSmart Charities®.
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 Healing Hearts Equine Rescue
Healing Hearts Equine Rescue, NC is a 501(c)3 organization that supports the responsible use of working, sport and pleasure horses and ponies. We provide care, rehabilitation and training for horses and ponies to prepare them for adoption into loving homes. We create public awareness about horse neglect and abuse issues. For more information, visit www.healingheartsequinerescue.org
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.