Primates

What Primates does

Primates Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit primate sanctuary located on a 17-acre site in Westfield, Wisconsin, founded in 2004 by Amy Kerwin. The organization provides lifetime care for monkeys retired from research laboratories and the exotic pet trade, currently housing 11–12 residents with a stated multi-decade goal of scaling to approximately 100 animals. It operates indoor and outdoor enclosures designed around species-specific welfare standards, and offers behavioral enrichment, Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT), and a research-backed naturalistic diet program.

The sanctuary is one of nine Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) accredited primate facilities in the United States and the only one in Wisconsin, and it holds the necessary USDA licensing and NAPSA membership required to accept laboratory primates. Staff includes a Primate Behavior Specialist with prior experience at Chimp Haven, the federal chimpanzee sanctuary, supported by a team of roughly seven to eight full-time staff and a volunteer base. Outreach and education (public open houses, the "Big Swing 2027" signature fundraising event) sit alongside direct animal care as part of the operating model.

The business model is nonprofit: revenue is sourced from individual donations, institutional grants (Bob Barker Foundation, DJ&T Foundation), a per-intake fee of roughly $50,000 paid by research facilities for each retired primate, and an ongoing per-resident care commitment of $10,000+/year sponsored by donors. Operating economics therefore depend on a small number of large institutional counterparties and the continued success of fundraising campaigns, rather than on commercial pricing of a product.

Name

Primates

Legal name

Primates Incorporated

Website

https://primatesinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Primates Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit primate sanctuary in Westfield, Wisconsin providing lifetime care for monkeys retired from research labs and the pet trade; one of nine GFAS-accredited U.S. primate sanctuaries and the only one in Wisconsin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Sanctuary Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

akta.pro primary industry

Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Primate sanctuary services
• Animal welfare nonprofit
• Monkey retirement care
• Behavioral rehabilitation programs
• Research animal rescue

Headquarters

HQ city

Westfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Primates Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible as charitable contributions. The organization accepts one-time donations, monthly donations, wishlist donations (Amazon wishlist items), and legacy/tribute gifts.
2. One-Time Contributions from Research Facilities: Research facilities requesting monkey retirement contribute $50,000 covering 3 years of care and enclosure modifications per monkey. Labs may also contribute 1-2 years of care funding.
3. Foundation and Major Donor Support: Major donations from foundations and individuals including DJ&T Foundation (Bob Barker) which provided $200,000 for staff costs and construction, and land donations from supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Primates Incorporated operates a 17-acre primate sanctuary providing permanent lifetime care for monkeys retired from research facilities, private ownership, and the entertainment industry. Services include spacious indoor/outdoor enclosures, naturalistic diet programs, behavioral enrichment, positive reinforcement training for healthcare participation, and socialization housing. The sanctuary also runs public open houses, a volunteer program, and accepts one-time retirement contributions of $50,000 per monkey from research facilities.

Product overview

Primates Incorporated operates as a single-purpose nonprofit monkey sanctuary offering lifetime care for monkeys retired from research laboratories, the pet trade, and entertainment industries. The core offering is the sanctuary itself—providing spacious indoor/outdoor enclosures, naturalistic diets, behavioral enrichment, and socialization programs. Supporting services include open house events, volunteer programs, and a capital campaign to expand capacity. The organization is Wisconsin's only GFAS-accredited primate sanctuary and one of only nine accredited primate sanctuaries in the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Monkey Sanctuary Services Lifetime sanctuary care for monkeys retired from research facilities, private ownership, and the entertainment industry, including spacious indoor/outdoor enclosures, behavioral observation, naturalistic diet formulation, enrichment programs, and socialization support on a 17-acre facility in Westfield, Wisconsin.
• Monkey Retirement Program Structured intake program accepting monkeys from research facilities and the pet trade for lifetime sanctuary care, including health screening, vasectomy requirements, and 6-month enclosure preparation before arrival. Research facilities contribute a one-time $50,000 payment covering 3 years of care per monkey.
• Open Houses and Tours Public open house events and prescheduled tours allowing patrons to view the sanctuary and its monkey residents from safe distances (six-foot rule enforced), held during warm weather when monkeys can be viewed in outdoor enclosures.
• Volunteer Program Structured volunteer program offering animal care volunteering (cleaning, enrichment preparation, produce cutting) and behavior volunteering (monitoring primate behavior) for individuals and groups at the sanctuary.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11-12 monkeys currently receive sanctuary care with goal of 100 over 20 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of NAPSA, a nonprofit collaborative organization helping strengthen the primate sanctuary community. Primates Inc. is one of nine accredited primate sanctuaries in the US and participates in NAPSA's collaborative network.
• Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimates Incorporated is GFAS accredited, meaning they meet innovative guidelines that exceed federal USDA standards of care. This accreditation provides third-party validation of sanctuary practices.
• Four Lakes Wildlife CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeveral staff members interned and volunteered at Four Lakes Wildlife Center during their education, rehabilitating sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in south central Wisconsin.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Chimp Haven: Federally funded chimpanzee sanctuary in Louisiana where Primates Inc.'s Animal Care Manager previously worked. Operates the same lifetime sanctuary model for retired research primates, making it the closest functional peer in terms of mission and operations.
• Peaceable Primate Sanctuary: Accredited primate sanctuary focused on rescued and retired monkeys and other primates. Directly comparable mission of lifetime care for ex-research and ex-pet primates.
• Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary: Operates a primate sanctuary in Texas as part of Born Free Foundation's broader wildlife conservation work. Directly comparable sanctuary model for retired research and pet primates.
• Save the Chimps: Large GFAS-accredited sanctuary in Florida providing lifetime care for chimpanzees retired from research. Comparable accredited primate sanctuary model with similar donor-dependent funding structure.
• Center for Captive Chimpanzee Care: Former sanctuary operation (assets absorbed by Save the Chimps) that exemplified the same primate-retirement mission Primates Inc. pursues. Comparable in mission to retire and provide lifetime sanctuary for research primates.
• Center for Great Apes: GFAS-accredited sanctuary in Florida providing permanent residence for orangutans and other great apes. Comparable model of accredited, long-term primate sanctuary care with similar donor-funding structure.
• Primarily Primates: One of the other accredited primate sanctuaries in the US, located in Texas. Provides identical lifetime sanctuary care for retired research, pet, and entertainment primates and is a fellow NAPSA member.

Broad incumbents

• Best Friends Animal Society: Large-scale animal welfare nonprofit operating the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. Broader incumbent in the animal welfare/rescue space with overlapping donor base and sanctuary model, though not primate-focused.
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Major national animal welfare nonprofit. Operates broadly across animal rescue and advocacy with overlapping donor audience, but does not specialize in primate sanctuary care.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Largest US animal welfare organization, actively involved in primate research advocacy and policy. Broad incumbent whose mission overlaps with Primates Inc.'s advocacy dimension.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0FFJ0JZERx7z2DDQSr0JBg
• Facebookfacebook.com/We.Love.Monkeys.at.Primates.Inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/primatesinc.official
• TikToktiktok.com/@primatesincorporated
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/primates-incorporated

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Primates