March 16, 2012 (Pittsville, WI) The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation on December 15, 2011. 

Verification means that Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation 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.  

"We are very happy to announce the recent Verification of Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation, Inc. This group is using its resources to benefit horses in need within the community by rescuing, rehabilitating and carefully re-homing them" said Jeannine Alexander, Deputy Director of GFAS. "Their attention to detail ensures the safety of the horses while in their care and their adoption process emphasizes the long term care for the horses in their new homes," she continued.  

Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation, Inc. provides care to at risk horses that are surrendered by owners or seized by local authorities.  

Scott and Karen Bayerl are very proud of this accomplishment, stating, "After 11 years in the horse rescue service, we are honored to be able to say that MHWF meets the standards of Verification set by GFAS, and we are very excited about our future. GFAS holds their sanctuaries to the highest standards. MHWF strives to ensure the health, safety and well-being of every horse in our care. We hold ourselves to a high standard as well, and each horse that comes through MHWF is given our full efforts to ensure its long term health, happiness and future".  

Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation was awarded a compliance grant by GFAS to help make recommended improvements to meet Accreditation/Verification Standards. Compliance grant funding is made possible through a grant from PetSmart Charities.  

The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by generous grants from PetSmart Charities and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  

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 worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting sanctuaries 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. They represent top leadership from Born Free USA, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, American Anti-Vivisection Society, and National Anti-Vivisection Society. www.sanctuaryfederation.org.  

About Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation  

The Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation is a volunteer run organization, dedicated to providing qualified homes for any horse in need. It is the goal of MHWF to ensure that every horse placed in our care is provided with all the necessary ingredients for a safe and happy life, and that it is also protected from those who would do it harm. For the horses placed in our care, we strive to provide only the best homes with dedicated families for every animal we place.  

About PetSmart Charities 

Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues, and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $134 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 4.7 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).  

About the ASPCA Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation's leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org. To become a fan of the ASPCA on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/aspca. To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/aspca