Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary

What Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary does

Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Newcastle, Oklahoma, that provides lifetime care for approximately 100 non-human primates across 15 species on a 12.5-acre facility. Founded in 1993 by Linda Barkley (originally as Mindy's Memory Primate Sanctuary, renamed in 2018), the organization is Oklahoma's only GFAS-verified primate sanctuary and one of fewer than 200 accredited sanctuaries worldwide. Its residents are primarily retired research subjects, former pet-trade animals, and ex-display primates — many with trauma histories requiring enriched environments, social groupings, and professional veterinary care for the remainder of their natural lives (which can exceed 30 years).

The sanctuary operates a community-led fundraising model with no government funding. Revenue streams include one-time and recurring individual donations (tiered from $25 Primate Helper to $1,000 Primate Extraordinaire, processed via PayPal and Stripe), a $25/month resident sponsorship program, the annual Wild Hearts Gala, and designated funds such as the Monkey Rescue Fund. Distribution is purely direct: care is delivered in-house, the facility is not open to public visitation, and donor engagement flows through the website, email newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram. The organization is governed by a board drawing leadership from HSUS, Animal Welfare Institute, IFAW, and Rainforest Foundation US, with an advisory council including primatologist Robert Ingersoll. The organization recently navigated a leadership transition following the early-2026 passing of long-tenured Sanctuary Director Tim Ajax, with Executive Director Tonnie Dosser assuming operational responsibility.

Name

Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary

Legal name

OKLAHOMA PRIMATE SANCTUARY, INC.

Website

https://okprimates.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Newcastle, Oklahoma, providing lifetime care for approximately 100 primates across 15 species on a 12.5-acre GFAS-verified facility, funded entirely through individual donations, sponsorships, and the annual Wild Hearts Gala.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Sanctuary Services

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB)

Keywords

• Primate sanctuary
• Animal welfare
• Lifetime primate care
• Nonprofit sanctuary
• Primate rescue

Headquarters

HQ city

Newcastle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring monetary donations from individuals. Donation tiers include Primate Helper ($25), Primate Hero ($50), Primate Champion ($100), Primate Extraordinaire ($1,000), and custom amounts. Donors can schedule recurring gifts (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly). Donations are tax-deductible as the organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Resident Sponsorship Program: Monthly sponsorship program where donors 'adopt' a primate resident for $25/month. Sponsors receive a photograph and information about their adopted primate, plus monthly updates on the resident's activities and well-being.
3. Special Events: Annual fundraising events such as the Wild Hearts Gala, featuring fine dining, inspiring stories, and community connection. Sponsorship opportunities available for corporate partners.
4. Monkey Rescue Fund: Designated fund for primate rescue operations covering transport, care, nutrition, enrichment, and enclosure construction. Goal of $50,000 for ongoing rescue initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary provides lifetime, enriched care for captive primates retired from research, the pet trade, and display situations. Operating on a 12.5-acre facility in Newcastle, Oklahoma, the sanctuary houses nearly 100 primates across 15 species with access to natural environments, psychological enrichment, healthy diets, and professional veterinary care. The organization is fully donor-funded and not open to public visitation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donate Now Online donation portal allowing supporters to contribute funds at preset levels or custom amounts, with options for one-time or recurring donations via PayPal or Stripe. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
• Sponsor a Resident Recurring monthly sponsorship program allowing donors to symbolically adopt a primate resident for $25/month. Sponsors receive a photograph and information about their adopted primate, plus monthly updates on the resident's activities and well-being. Helps cover food, veterinary care, and enrichment.
• Monkey Rescue Fund Designated fund supporting primate rescue operations including transport, care, nutrition, enrichment, and enclosure construction for rescued primates, with a $50,000 goal for ongoing rescue initiatives.
• Robert Ingersoll Honorarium Tribute donation fund honoring primate advocate Robert Ingersoll, with named donation levels: Bob's Primate Helper ($25), Friend ($50), and Warrior ($100).

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 100 primates provided lifetime care across 15 species
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGFAS verified the sanctuary and selected Tim Ajax for the 2025 Carole Noon Award. GFAS is the leading accrediting body for animal sanctuaries, setting standards for animal care, ethics, and organizational excellence. This partnership provides legitimacy and recognition within the animal welfare community.
• Humane Society of the United StatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCynthia Armstrong, Oklahoma Senior State Director of Humane Society of the United States, serves on the OPS Board of Directors as Treasurer and Secretary. Provides animal welfare expertise and potential advocacy connections.
• Animal Welfare InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKate Dylewsky, Assistant Director of Government Affairs at Animal Welfare Institute, serves as Board President. Brings policy and advocacy expertise to the organization.
• International Fund for Animal WelfareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanielle Kessler, Director of US Office at International Fund for Animal Welfare, serves on the Board of Directors. Provides international animal welfare perspective and resources.
• Rainforest Foundation USminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelissa Tomlinson, Donor Relations Advisor at Rainforest Foundation US, serves as Board Vice President. Brings conservation and fundraising expertise.
• Wildlife Rescue & RehabilitationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLynn Cuny, Founder/President of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, serves on the OPS Advisory Council. Provides expertise in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation operations.
• Robert IngersollminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobert Ingersoll serves on the OPS Advisory Council. A primatologist known for his work with the famous 'signing chimpanzee' Nim, he has supported OPS for over 25 years, helped negotiate transfers from laboratories, and contributed labor and advocacy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch: Texas-based Humane Society of the United States-operated sanctuary providing lifelong care for rescued animals including primates. Comparable donation-funded nonprofit sanctuary model with similar intake from research and exploitation cases.
• Save the Chimps: Florida-based nonprofit sanctuary for chimpanzees retired from research and entertainment, operating one of the largest chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world. Similar donation-and-sponsorship revenue model and lifetime-care mandate.
• International Primate Protection League: Primate-focused advocacy and welfare organization supporting primate sanctuaries and rescue operations globally. Comparable primate-specific mission and donation-driven operating model.
• Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary: Texas-based nonprofit providing lifetime care for New World monkeys rescued from the pet trade and research. Operates on a similar donation-funded sanctuary model with comparable species mix including capuchins and macaques.
• Primarily Primates: San Antonio, Texas-based nonprofit primate sanctuary providing lifetime care for primates retired from research, the pet trade, and other situations. Operates the largest primate sanctuary in Texas with comparable rescue and lifetime-care model.
• Chimp Haven: Louisiana-based federally funded sanctuary for chimpanzees retired from biomedical research. Comparable lifetime-care sanctuary model for primates, with similar intake pipelines from research facilities.
• Center for Great Apes: Florida-based nonprofit sanctuary specifically for orangutans and chimpanzees retired from entertainment, research, and the pet trade. Directly comparable in mission, funding model, and GFAS-aligned operations.

Broad incumbents

• Born Free USA: National animal welfare and sanctuary-support nonprofit operating across multiple species and providing sanctuary funding and advocacy. Comparable donation-funded nonprofit model with broader sanctuary portfolio and policy engagement.
• The Elephant Sanctuary: Tennessee-based nonprofit natural-habitat refuge for endangered elephants. Comparable lifetime-care, no-visitation sanctuary model funded by individual donations and sponsorships.
• Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge: Arkansas-based GFAS-verified nonprofit wildlife sanctuary providing lifetime care for big cats, bears, and other rescued animals. Comparable lifetime-care, donation-funded nonprofit sanctuary model with similar accreditation status.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/okprimates
• Instagraminstagram.com/okprimates
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oklahoma-primate-sanctuary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary