How the Sanctuary Protects and Cares for Former Research Animals
The Fauna Foundation was established as a not-for-profit organization in 1997 by Gloria Grow and her partner Richard Allan. Before its formal founding, Fauna had already rescued hundreds of domestic, farmed, and exotic animals.
In 1997, Grow responded to a request to take in 15 chimpanzees from biomedical research, many of whom had been infected with HIV. These chimpanzees came from the now-closed Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP) in New York. Since then, Fauna has also rescued chimpanzees from zoos, including several who were used in research as infants.
The Fauna Foundation is a protected sanctuary in Quebec for chimpanzees previously used in biomedical research. For more than 25 years, the sanctuary has provided refuge for chimpanzees, monkeys, and farm animals. Its mission is to offer safety and care for animals who come from research, agriculture, and entertainment settings. The property is a conservation area that prioritizes peace, privacy, and healing for its residents and native wildlife.
Fauna is Canada’s only chimpanzee sanctuary and has been operating since 1997. The organization focuses on sanctuary, conservation, and education to foster a deeper understanding of animals and to encourage reflection on human responsibility for their well-being.
Over the decades, the sanctuary has provided permanent protection for animals who were previously used in medical research and education, kept as private property, raised for food, or involved in entertainment.
All residents at Fauna are free to live without performing tasks, providing companionship, or participating in research. They are protected from further exploitation and cannot be relocated; the sanctuary is their permanent home. Here, they receive nutritious food, shelter, medical care, companionship, and emotional enrichment after years of hardship.
The sanctuary provides lifelong care for chimpanzees retired from laboratory research, those rescued from zoos, and others in need. Residents are no longer confined to cages or exposed to invasive procedures. Alongside the chimpanzees, Fauna is also home to monkeys and a flock of geese.
Many of the chimpanzees are among the sanctuary’s most physically and psychologically affected residents. Most spent at least two decades in biomedical research, enduring repeated injections, exposure to infectious diseases, and invasive surgeries. Some were sedated with dart guns as frequently as once a week. At Fauna, they now have a safe and stable environment where they can rest and recover.
Fauna Sanctuary Inc., established in 2002, is a sister organization to the Fauna Foundation and is registered as a nonprofit in the United States. It supports efforts to provide chimpanzees with the best quality of life possible in captivity and helps fund special projects, capital improvements, educational programs, and outreach related to the welfare of captive chimpanzees.
To learn more or support the Fauna Foundation’s work with animals affected by research, agriculture, or entertainment, visit https://faunafoundation.org/donate/
About the Writer: Abirame Shanthakumar is a volunteer writer with CharityAxess who is passionate about animal welfare, environmental issues, and global development. She has written on topics such as engineering, sustainability, and poverty alleviation, using her writing to highlight the role of charities in driving positive change. In her spare time, Abirame enjoys reading, writing fiction, and spending time outdoors with a good cup of coffee in hand. Her work with CharityAxess reflects her strong belief in advocacy, compassion, and storytelling for impact.
Photo Credit: Chimpanzee in the sanctuary, Francesco Ungaro
