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Who we are

The European Alliance of Rescue centres and Sanctuaries (EARS) is a network of rescue centres and sanctuaries in the European Union.

The purpose of the EARS is to support and represent wildlife rescue centres and sanctuaries across Europe and enable them to work together to achieve mutual animal welfare and conservation goals. We aim to be a strong and effective European network working together to promote and achieve continuous improvements in animal welfare and tackling the very reasons that necessitate the existence of rescue centres and sanctuaries.

Why EARS

Across Europe, exotic wildlife species are rescued, rehabilitated and cared for within a variety of captive facilities. These facilities and the animals that reside within them are increasing in number, and indeed more are needed to support national and regional animal welfare and law enforcement efforts as the illegal and legal trade continues unabated. At the same time, there is no formally agreed definition of rescue centres and sanctuaries in Europe or standards of care, and standards vary between facilities making it difficult to distinguish between the good and the bad. Initiated by AAP Rescue Centre for Exotic Animals in The Netherlands, an inaugural meeting of Directors representing sanctuaries, rescue and rehabilitation centres from across Europe in 2011 led to a unanimous decision to create the alliance to support communication and collaboration between practitioners, and help build capacity for animal welfare and conservation across the region, including coordination and representation at the European level.  The EARS was registered as a Foundation in The Netherlands in October 2012.

What we do

The EARS will promote the highest standards of captive care, provide information and representation, and campaign and raise awareness to achieve its aims. At its core the EARS operate a membership style system for eligible rescue centres and sanctuaries. We have designed an application process to ensure that only qualified institutions can join and maintain Partner (member) status. Becoming a Partner to the EARS is open to all wild animal rescue and rehabilitation centres and sanctuaries in the European Union compliant with EARS joining criteria and who fulfill the commitment to a high level of professionalism that being part of the alliance entails. Becoming a Partner to the EARS confers official recognition in meeting standards of excellence in animal care, rehabilitation and management. It provides access to unique forums to exchange expertise and experience, and the opportunity to work collectively to increase impact and to end the very need for animal rescue and sanctuary.

Currently the EARS have 17 Partners representing wildlife rescue centres and sanctuaries (including exotic and native species) across 11 European countries:

• AAP Rescue Centre for Exotic Animals: The Netherlands
• Alertis Fund for Bear and Nature Conservation: The Netherlands
• Arcturos Environmental Centre: Greece
• Auffangstation für Reptilien: Germany
• Centro Tutela e Ricerca Fauna Esotica e Selvatica – Monte Adone: Italy
• Lakeview Monkey Sanctuary: England
• Libearty Bear Sanctuary: Romania
• Mona Foundation: Spain
• Monkeyworld: England
• Natuurhulpcentrum Wildlife Rescue Centre: Belgium
• Primadomus: Spain
• Tonga Terre d’Accueil: France
• Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary: England
• Wildtier-und Artenschutzstation: Germany
• Vier Pfoten BÄRENWALD Arbesbach: Austria
• Vier Pfoten Dancing Bear Park Belitsa: Bulgaria
• Vier Pfoten BÄRENWALD Müritz: Germany

The EARS is registered as a Foundation in The Netherlands.

Address: Kemphaanpad 1, Almere, The Netherlands

For more information about the EARS email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it