SEATTLE (October 22, 2021) — Pasado’s Safe Haven, a leading organization in the fight to end animal cruelty, has been selected as the Outstanding Farmed Animal Sanctuary of 2021 by the board of directors of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). This award recognizes excellence in humane and responsible animal care; professionalism and ethics; organizational sustainability; public engagement; and contributions to, and leadership within, the sanctuary field. Pasado’s Safe Haven is one of just four recipients in the world to be recognized as an outstanding sanctuary this year and the only one to receive the Outstanding Farmed Animal Sanctuary award.
“We are extremely honored to be recognized with this award,” said Laura Henderson, Executive Director of Pasado’s Safe Haven. “GFAS accreditation alone is extremely rigorous — to be singled out as the Outstanding Farmed Animal Sanctuary of 2021 on top of this is truly extraordinary. This award reflects the incredibly hard work being done every day by the staff and volunteers at Pasado’s Safe Haven. We are so grateful to GFAS for their ongoing support and partnership as we strive every day to do the best work we can for the animals.”
Pasado’s Safe Haven offers a 360-degree approach to ensuring respect for every animal. This work ranges from helping animals recover from abuse at the sanctuary, to improving the way societal systems treat animals, through education, training and advocacy. The organization’s uniquely comprehensive approach to fighting animal cruelty includes investigations and rescue services; an 85-acre sanctuary that provides a home to approximately 250 animals, including dogs, cats and farmed animals, most of which are victims of cruelty and neglect; and pet services, such as spaying, neutering and food programs serving income-qualified families. Additionally, its thoughtful education, training and advocacy program engages thousands of people through online and sanctuary-based programs, designed to reduce animal suffering and grow compassion.
“This year’s award recipients truly embody and put into practice the GFAS philosophy of vision, dedication and excellence in animal care,” noted Valerie Taylor, the executive director of GFAS. “Part of the GFAS mission is to recognize sanctuaries and rescue centers and raise awareness of their work, and the 2021 award recipients serve as exemplary models of many important characteristics attributed to the best sanctuaries: demonstrating professionalism, a collaborative spirit, and leadership, all for the animals—qualities highly regarded by GFAS and the late Dr. Noon.”
Other recipients of the Outstanding Sanctuary Awards were Skydog Sanctuary, in Oregon; Animals Asia, in China; and Juliana’s Animal Sanctuary, in Colombia.
About Pasado’s Safe Haven
Pasado’s Safe Haven, the Pacific Northwest’s leading animal sanctuary and rescue organization, is on a mission to inspire humans to reimagine their relationship with animals. Our impact scales from helping animals recover from abuse to improving the way larger societal systems treat animals through investigations, education, training and advocacy. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for daily updates on rescues as well as animals in our care, or visit pasadosafehaven.org.
About GFAS
The GFAS is a global leader in accreditation programs for animal sanctuaries, assessing facilities against a robust set of operational and animal care standards, including species-specific standards for elephants, great apes, big cats, horses and farm animals, among others. More information about GFAS can be found at www.sanctuaryfederation.org.
