The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally-recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF) on August 5, 2014.
Verification means that SRF 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.
"Standardbred Retirement Foundation is an important resource for New Jersey and Kentucky," said Jackie Beckstead, GFAS director of accreditation and field operations. "The Standardbred Retirement fills a crucial niche in the equine rescue community by specifically focusing on the needs of retired Standardbred horses, saving those animals from slaughter, educating the public about the need to provide second careers and re-homing opportunities for these amazing equine athletes, and using the benefits of equine contact to connect with at-risk youth in the community.”
Jannine Kraus, business administrator of SRF, said, "Our Verified status with GFAS affirms our absolute commitment to provide our rescued Standardbred horses with the very best care possible, as well as maintaining strict adherence to a code of transparency and organizational integrity. GFAS verification is very important to us; they provide a standard of rescue best practices, support for funding sources and education, and open a network of resources that would otherwise be unavailable to us. We are appreciative of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and proud to have received GFAS Verification."
Beckstead stated that the "Standardbred Retirement Foundation provides a strong example for other equine rescue organizations to follow. We applaud their efforts to constantly upgrade and improve their already outstanding efforts in helping Standardbred horses, both in their care and those still at risk, as well as the at-risk youth who are inspired by the time they spend with the horses who live at the SRF facilities located at Cream Ridge, NJ, Wallingford, KY and Blairstown, NJ.”
The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by a generous grant from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
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