About Member Sanctuaries
Featured: Barbet and Ed from Chimp Haven
Become a Member Sanctuary

NAPSA member sanctuaries have varied histories and specific expertise areas, but also many commonalities. Each provides enriched and professional lifetime care to retired animals.
NAPSA member sanctuaries care for close to 800 primates rescued and retired from private ownership, the entertainment industry, and the research industry. This includes 725+ chimpanzees, 25+ orangutans, and 20+ macaques.
Membership Levels
Introductory Membership
Introductory membership in NAPSA is intended for organizations not yet within one year of attaining GFAS accreditation or AZA certification and/or USDA licensure. This level of membership provides entrance to the NAPSA community and comes with access to its wealth of knowledge and expertise and helps prevent new sanctuaries from having to “reinvent the wheel.” Introductory members may be in the process of setting up a sanctuary for primates but without residents yet, or may already have residents but be in the process of formalizing or improving the organizational structure. Introductory members must reach the transitional level within one year of joining NAPSA.
Introductory membership dues: $500
Download Introductory Membership ApplicationTransitional Membership
Transitional membership in NAPSA is intended for organizations that already have residents and are within one year of meeting all of the requirements of full membership. If a USDA license and GFAS accreditation / AZA certification are not already in place at the time of membership, these must be applied for within 6 months of joining. NAPSA can assist members with these applications. Representatives of transitional member sanctuaries may be selected by the Steering Committee to serve on a NAPSA committee, but do not serve on the Steering Committee itself. Transitional members must reach the full membership level within one year of attaining transitional membership.
Transitional membership dues: $1,000
Download Transitional Membership ApplicationFull Membership
Full membership in NAPSA is intended for organizations meeting all requirements of NAPSA membership. Representatives of full member sanctuaries are eligible to serve on the Steering Committee (according to current Steering Committee criteria).
Full membership dues:
- Founding Sanctuaries: $3,500
- Sanctuaries with a budget in excess of $3M: $3,500
- Sanctuaries with a budget between $1M and $3M: $3,000
- Sanctuaries with a budget under $1M: $2,500
Comparison by Benefits and Requirements


Full Member Sanctuaries
Each full member of NAPSA is licensed and inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture (or its Canadian equivalent), licensed by relevant state and county authorities, and either fully accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries or certified by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.