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New England Primate Sanctuary was
founded by Debra Curtin in 2002,
conceived of her ever-growing concerns
about the impact that human encroachment
is having on animal populations and
their habitats throughout the world. Of
special concern were the non-native
species that are imported into
the United States and held captive for
human benefit.
After exploring the mostly
silent exotic
animal crisis in the United States, it
was apparent that the problems were far more widespread than most of
us might imagine. With greater
determination, Debra vowed to advocate
for the animals who have been placed at
our service and to find a way to bring
them the contentment, respect and safety
that they deserve despite their
captivity.
Since we are primates, advocacy on
behalf of non-human primates seemed a
reasonable place to start to raise
awareness and take action. How can we
continue to mistreat creatures so like
ourselves?
New England Primate Sanctuary organized in
Massachusetts as a 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit
charitable organization in July 2002. During the
first six years, while striving to locate the
primate sanctuary in Massachusetts, we raised
awareness about the plight of nonhuman primates
by presenting educational outreach programs to
universities, K-12 schools, camps, and scout
troops, and offering internship programs to
university students. In 2008, we established a
Humane Education Center at a farm animal
sanctuary in southern Massachusetts.
Although Massachusetts is home to the 2nd
largest population of nonhuman primates in the
United States, the state’s licensing regulations
for the care and maintenance of exotic animals
do not include provisions for sanctuary. This
has challenged our mission to provide lifelong
post-studies sanctuary to some of the monkeys in
the Commonwealth’s research facilities.
Despite support from legislators, universities,
and animal protection groups, the licensing
agency has not yet embraced our mission because
it serves animals rather than the public. It has
been a challenging process, but we soldier on
through humane education.
In 2008,
we had the opportunity to move the primate
sanctuary to Rhode Island. Design plans were
developed and contractors were bidding out
the work to retrofit an existing building to
house monkeys.
Due to the economic downturn that began in late 2008
construction plans were delayed indefinitely.
This video clip was filmed in November of
2008 at the Rhode Island facility before we understood the full impact
of the economic downturn. At the time, there were
5,200 reported monkeys in Massachusetts research
facilities, as Debra quotes in the clip. As of
the end of 2010, there were 13,500 -- a tremendous jump
--
and 125,000 nation wide.
This is why we do not give up.
The farm animal sanctuary opportunity came to us
in late 2009 as a means of drawing on our
expertise to help farm animals while raising
awareness and funds for the primate sanctuary,
and, as an added bonus, providing safe haven to
more animals that need it. Having previously
conducted our Humane Education Programs very
successfully on a farm animal sanctuary site
operated by another organization, we welcomed
the opportunity to do so on our own site, NEPS
Farm.
Throughout 2010, while planning for the farm
animal sanctuary, we proudly developed
Lesson Units and Plans for grades K-12
and made them available, free of charge, in
time for the September 2010 school year via
the Humane Education section of our website.
The curriculum is based on National
Standards. It employs fun and motivating
animal-related themes to address the needs
of many disciplines. The Lesson Plans are
accessible to teachers wishing to implement
them into their classroom programs, as well
as the home schooled.
Building upon the strong foundation that we
have developed over the years, our
Humane
Education programs continue to grow. We
are very proud of the diversity of programs,
tools, and materials that we offer, even as
we develop more. We provide these
educational programs and materials free of
charge to users. Based on our website
analytic reports, these programs are viewed
worldwide.
In spring 2011, we welcomed
the inaugural group of farm animals to the
sanctuary. Their retirement saved them from
slaughter. What a joy it has been to rescue
and rehabilitate them, watching their timid
temperaments transform to friendliness and
even enthusiasm when welcoming our visits.
Our
Humane Education team continues to
develop supporting educational materials
that are available throughout the website,
with new information provided daily on
the website as well as via social networking
on our Facebook, MySpace and Twitter pages.
As an IRC 501(c)(3) non-profit
charitable organization, New England
Primate Sanctuary is fully supported by
the generosity of its donors.
