Primate Sanctuary Ethics and Standards

Primate sanctuaries care for rescued and retired primates from research, entertainment, and the pet trade. Understanding what genuine sanctuaries provide helps supporters evaluate facilities.

Key Facts

The North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance accredits facilities meeting high welfare standards
Genuine sanctuaries do not breed, sell, or allow public contact with primates
Primate social groups in sanctuaries must account for species-specific social structures
Chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs have dramatically different social and environmental needs
Lifetime care costs for chimpanzees can exceed one million dollars per individual

Welfare Considerations

Primate welfare in sanctuary settings requires deep knowledge of species-specific needs. Chimpanzees need complex multi-individual social groups, large indoor and outdoor spaces, and decades of skilled care. Macaques have rigid dominance hierarchies that require careful group management to prevent injury. Inadequate sanctuaries that use the sanctuary label while allowing public primate contact, breeding, or sale perpetuate the same harms they claim to address. Accreditation by NAPSA or GFAS provides reliable verification of genuine sanctuary standards.

What You Can Do

Verify NAPSA or GFAS accreditation before donating to or visiting primate sanctuaries
Never support any facility offering public contact with primates regardless of sanctuary claims
Donate to accredited facilities providing lifetime care for former research primates
Advocate for sustained government funding for retired research primate care
Support the phase-out of primate use in entertainment and research