Bat World Sanctuary Earns Accreditation from Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

Weatherford, TX, February 25, 2016 --(PR.com)-- “Bat World Sanctuary truly maintains the welfare of the bats as their highest priority as demonstrated by their individualized intensive care of non-releasable bats and the extremely high survival rates of the bats they rescue, rehabilitate and release back into the wild,” says, Kellie Heckman, Executive Director of GFAS.

The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is honored to announce that Bat World Sanctuary in Weatherford, Texas has achieved GFAS Accreditation.

“It is heartwarming to animals that are so often misunderstood and mistreated receiving the high quality, life-long care and respect they deserve at Bat World Sanctuary. Bat World Sanctuary truly maintains the welfare of the bats as their highest priority as demonstrated by their individualized intensive care of non-releasable bats and the extremely high survival rates of the bats they rescue, rehabilitate and release back into the wild,” says, Kellie Heckman, Executive Director of GFAS.

Achieving GFAS Accreditation means Bat World Sanctuary meets the comprehensive and rigorous definition of a true sanctuary and as such provides humane and responsible care for bats and meets the rigorous standards for operations, administration, and veterinary care established by GFAS. GFAS is the only globally recognized organization that provides a method for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, rescues and rehabilitation centers. The accreditation status provides a clear and trusted means for public, donors, and government agencies to recognize Bat World Sanctuary as an exceptional sanctuary.

Bat World Sanctuary is on the front lines to end the mistreatment of bats. Each year Bat World Sanctuary rescues hundreds of bats who might otherwise die. Lifetime sanctuary is given to non-releasable bats, including those that are orphaned, injured, and retired from the exotic pet trade, zoos and research facilities. Many of the bats at Bat World Sanctuary lived in highly substandard conditions before arriving at the sanctuary. Bat World Sanctuary provides the security and privacy these bats need to recuperate and live comfortable, healthy lives. Bat World Sanctuary also works to protect and conserve wild bat colonies; promote the humane treatment of bats in captivity; educate the public about the importance of bats; and train animal care professionals on the proper treatment of bats. To date, Bat World Sanctuary has trained over 400 veterinarians, biologists, zoologists and other animal care professionals from every bat inhabited continent in the world.

Bat World Sanctuary has been on the forefront of cutting-edge rehabilitation methods for over two decades. One of Bat World Sanctuary’s greatest achievements was the recovery of an orphaned, hand-raised free-tailed bat. Previous rehabilitation theories by others strongly indicated that hand-raised orphaned insectivorous bats could not be released back to the wild due to their inability to develop appropriate survival skills. However, Bat World Sanctuary rescued, rehabilitated and released an orphan free-tailed bat that was discovered as an adult thirteen years later. During her lifetime, the bat likely migrated over 30,000 miles on her way to and from Mexico every year, raised six to eight youngsters of her own, and ate an estimated 23,725,000 insect pests. The recovery of this free-tailed bat rehabilitated and released by Bat World Sanctuary proves without doubt that orphaned insectivorous bats can indeed be released back to the wild to live the rich, full lives they deserve.

“It is an honor to have earned accreditation with the prestigious Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Having this title, along with being accredited by the American Sanctuary Association, earns Bat World Sanctuary the merit of being the only accredited bat sanctuary on earth,” says Amanda Lollar, Founder & President of Bat World Sanctuary.

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, rescues, and rehabilitation centers worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting these animal care facilities 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. While the board includes those in top leadership at Born Free USA, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, the ASPCA, and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries. www.sanctuaryfederation.org.

About Bat World Sanctuary
Bat World Sanctuary was founded in 1994 and is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to provide a permanent sanctuary for non-releasable bats and to protect and conserve wild bat colonies. Bat World Sanctuary is the legacy of a small bat, found permanently injured on a hot Texas sidewalk in 1988. This tiny, two-inch creature was the inspiration behind the creation of Bat World Sanctuary. Bat World Sanctuary is now the largest rehabilitation/teaching sanctuary in the world that is solely dedicated to bats and has been recognized as the "leaders in the field of the rehabilitation of bats" by government agencies.