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Rescue

Temporary stay at AAP

AAP’s work starts with rescuing and taking in an animal. We take in exotic mammals from all over Europe, working closely with authorities, governments, animal welfare organisations, and the owners of the animals.

Some animals come to AAP after they have been confiscated. Reasons can be that the animal has been neglected, that the species is forbidden, or because the owner does not have the proper papers for the animal. Sometimes, the owners themselves request AAP to take in their animals. This happens for example when they notice that their exotic pet is unsuitable to be kept in a domestic environment. Circus owners sometimes give up their animals voluntarily as well.

Rescuing and taking in an animal involves a lot of work. Paperwork needs to be in order, suitable transportation has to be arranged, and for larger animals a veterinarian has to be present to anaesthetise them. If all this is in order, it is time to take the animal to AAP. When the animal arrives at one of our two rescue centres, we can start with rehabilitation and resocialisation.

For years, Lion Reza was confined to a transport car beside a busy road. At AAP, he finally received the space and care he deserved.
Chimpanzee Mojo was locked up in a dark garage for 20 years, and was given all kinds of unhealthy food. Mojo was able to recover at AAP.
Govani was in a very bad state when we found him. He was terribly neglected, and due to stress he had bitten off a part of his own tail.

Questions & answers - Rescue and rehabilitation

Please fill out our Request intake-form if you want AAP to take in your animal.

You can report animal suffering in Europe directly to AAP, read more about that on the page Report animal suffering.

We are informed of this through close cooperation with authorities, other animal welfare organisations, rescue centres, and notifications from private persons. We assess every request, with violation of animal welfare being of course the most important consideration in taking in an animal.

If we don’t have any capacity ourselves, we consult with partners to find the best solution for the individual animal. We work together with outplacement partners and other European rescue centres. Unfortunately, throughout Europe there is not enough capacity for these animals, showing that better laws and regulations are needed to prevent this animal suffering. AAP has been campaigning for this for years.

We receive requests from all over Europe. The top 5 countries: France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Belgium.

It depends on the species of animal and the facilities available at both locations. In the Netherlands, for example, we have no facilities for big cats. Similarly, we don’t have rescue facilities for small mammals in Spain or quarantine for chimpanzees. We also look at the possibilities at both locations in terms of group formation; which animals have more chances of being successfully resocialized where.