AAVS News
July 14, 2026
Rescued chimps need your help today
Dear Friend,
Did you know that today is a special day for humanity’s closest relatives? World Chimpanzee Day, observed on July 14, is dedicated to raising awareness about chimpanzees and the organizations giving them the best lives possible.
Although chimps are incredibly smart and highly social, they have been subjected to a wide range of inhumane experiments: crash tests, deliberate infection with diseases, and exposure to toxic chemicals to test their responses.
I’m deeply grateful for the sanctuaries that provide lifetime care for chimpanzees rescued from research. While it may seem ideal to return rescued chimps to forests in Africa, many were born in captivity or stolen from the wild as babies and never learned how to survive. Others are too traumatized to fend for themselves.
AAVS has made a long-term commitment to sanctuaries that give these animals excellent care, including trees to climb, social groups to bond with, nutritious food, and veterinary treatment. Thanks to your generous support, we give annual grants to sanctuaries across the US and the world.
You also make it possible for AAVS to fund the total lifetime care of seven chimpanzees who were born in a laboratory and now live at the Chimp Haven sanctuary. One is Riley, a rambunctious young male. Although he recently became the alpha of his group, he’s still mischievous, pestering other chimps like a younger brother—and he always makes time to cuddle with his mom.
In honor of World Chimpanzee Day, I’d like to ask you to do something special today. Will you donate so a chimp like Riley can get the care he needs?
Luke Klein
President
P.S. Lifelong chimpanzee care is expensive, and we can only cover the costs of caring for these animals with your support. Click here to make a difference today.