Primate sanctuaries provide vital lifetime care for primates rescued from the exotic pet trade, entertainment, and research, with welfare standards that vary widely across facilities.
Primate sanctuaries occupy a critical position in the welfare landscape — providing care for animals who have experienced serious welfare violations and cannot return to the wild. The quality of sanctuary care varies enormously. The best facilities provide large, naturalistic social groups, cognitively complex environments, expert veterinary care, and skilled behavioral management that addresses trauma. Poor facilities may replicate aspects of the conditions that harmed animals in the first place. Accreditation provides an important quality signal, and supporting only accredited sanctuaries directs resources toward facilities with verified welfare standards.