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Our Guiding Principles
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Dear Friend of Jungle Friends,
I love knowing that among the many things we share in common are our deeply held beliefs about animals and animal welfare--monkeys specifically--and sanctuary! Our shared values extend far beyond the things we see like monkey habitats, food, volunteers and staff, our vegan feasts, loyal donors and even your support. We are united by what we feel...what we believe...truths we hold in common. I am grateful for you and your friendship!
Lately I have been reflecting upon the great things we do and the monkeys who benefit (or who will come to benefit as soon as they are rescued!), the humans that make this work possible and the philosophy upon which this organization was founded and continues to operate.
We are so committed to these values that we have incorporated them into our organization's bylaws and we see them influence our daily activities and our long-range plans. Please take a look, know you are a part of this great work and rededicate yourself to the mission we all share:
The mission of Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary is to rescue and offer a permanent,
safe haven for primates who have been abused, confiscated by authorities, used in research, kept as pets, or who are simply no longer wanted.
Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary was founded with a very specific philosophy that embodies what we believe and how we operate. Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary will forever be dedicated to the following guiding principles and practices (adapted from our Bylaws):
- We create a refuge and sanctuary for primates who have been used in the entertainment industry, in experimental research studies, ex-pets, or who are no longer wanted.
- We embody the philosophy of 'Sanctuary' that is defined as a place where animals can come to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. It's a safe haven, where they receive the very best care possible.
- Animals are not bought, sold, bred, traded, used for commercial purposes, or mistreated in any way. They are given every opportunity to behave naturally in a wonderfully loving environment.
- We care for primates in safe, permanent and enriching habitats in accordance with their specific species requirements and we strive to provide naturalistic enclosures.
- Most of the monkeys who come to the sanctuary have been species isolated and don't know they are monkeys. Our goal is to make sure every monkey at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary is introduced to a compatible monkey friend of the same or like species.
- Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary offers the primates what we call 'Live Habitats'. The habitats are all built on natural ground with dirt for digging in, grass and edible ground cover, trees, shrubs and mulch or pine straw.
- Species-specific habitats are also designed with plenty of climbing structures, ladders and ropes to traverse from one side to the other, with buckets and barrels to swing in, and plenty of naturalistic 'toys' to entertain the primates and enrich their lives.
- We also utilize a unique runway system that connects the habitats so the monkeys can be moved through the network of runways from one habitat to another to have a different habitat, new neighbors, new sights and sounds, it also provides a way to move the monkeys for cleaning, repairing, replanting, enriching, socializing or separating monkeys.
- We educate the public about primates and why they should be allowed to live in the wild as nature intended. We do not support breeding primates in captivity to serve as pets, to be used as entertainment, research subjects or exploited in any way. We advocate stricter laws to end the use of primates in captivity.
- We embody the deeply held values of Ahimsa; 'dynamic harmlessness'-- which includes veganism and selfless service. We promote compassion by encouraging service to humanity, animals and nature.
 - Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary offers communal living on the sanctuary grounds for like-minded, caring and compassionate people to function as care staff, interns and apprentices, as well as our Founder and President. It is important for the monkeys' well-being to have care staff living on-site.
- We provide the primates in our care the opportunity to live full lives. In the event of a debilitating, painful and/or incurable illness we hold fast to the hospice philosophy for the primates in our care. The hospice philosophy recognizes death as the final stage of life and seeks to enable patients to continue an alert, pain-free life and to manage other symptoms so that their last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their 'family'.
- We are cognizant, at all times, of the portion of philanthropic funds received that are spent on expenses related to fundraising and administration.
We are lucky to be of service to the animals in our care and we make decisions for them on a daily basis, not as an exercise in power, but one of compassionate stewardship. Our daily work is satisfying, hot and sweaty and dirty, exhilarating, fun, filled with laughter, at times sad and teary, always hopeful, respectful, and meaningful. We dignify their existence and meet their every need through skilled and loving service and they enrich our lives by being monkeys. It's that simple! Thank you for being a partner with us in making the world a bit better for monkeys. 
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