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 Have
a question about our adoption program, the Fauna Foundation's
chimpanzee sanctuary or the chimpanzees themselves? You'll
probably find the answer here in our Frequently Asked Questions
section. If you do not see your question listed below, please
e-mail us at info@adopt-a-chimp.com.
About Adopt-a-Chimp
If I've adopted my chimp, why can't I take
him/her home?
The Fauna
Foundation does not support the private ownership of chimpanzees
(please see next question). The term "adoption" really means
sponsorship. Adopting a chimpanzee from the Fauna Foundation
Chimpanzee Sanctuary is similar to sponsoring a foster child
from a developing country - you help to care for that chimpanzee
and in return you receive detailed information about the chimp
you have chosen to adopt.
Is the adoption fee a one-time only purchase?
Yes. The adoption package fee is a one-time
only cost. If you would like to contribute beyond purchasing
an adoption kit we gratefully accept single or monthly donations
in any amount, either through money order, personal cheque,
bank account debit or credit card (VISA or MasterCard). Donations
of CDN$10.00 or more receive a tax-deductible receipt.
How long does it take to receive an adoption
kit once I order it?
Once we receive your adoption form and payment,
it should take roughly three weeks to process the order, assemble
the kit and mail it out to you. Unfortunately, actual mailing
time is beyond our control and determined by Canada Post.
Is an adoption kit appropriate for children?
Adopt-a-Chimp's philosophy is to focus on the
positive changes in the chimpanzees' lives since their arrival
at the sanctuary in 1997. However, all of the chimp biographies
and the information booklet do address their time in biomedical
research and some of the abuse they experienced as circus
performers, pets or participants in the entertainment industry.
We encourage parents to read through the material before giving
it to their children and use it to create a dialogue about
these important issues. The most important message children
can take away from the adoption package is that compassion
can make a difference for the chimps in our care and the plight
of captive chimpanzees in general.
Do I get a tax receipt for my donation?
Yes. The Fauna Foundation is recognized in Canada
as a registered non-profit, charitable organization. A receipt
valid in Canada will be issued for each donation of $10.00
or more as it is processed. For contributions designated as
a monthly deduction, the Fauna Foundation will issue a receipt
each month as your donation is processed.
Do I get a tax receipt if I purchase an adoption
kit?
No. A tax receipt is NOT issued with the purchase
of an adoption package.
How much does an adoption kit cost?
The cost of a single adoption
kit is CDN$55.00. The cost of a Chimp Chums adoption kit
is CDN$80.00. Both prices are in Canadian funds and include
shipping and handling.
Please note that for international orders
(orders outside of North America) the cost of a single adoption
kit is CDN$60 and a Chimp Chums kit is CDN$85, including shipping
and handling.
I live outside of Canada. How much does the
adoption kit cost in American dollars/British pounds?
All adoption kits are priced in Canadian dollars.
We cannot give you an accurate price in other currencies as
conversion rates change on a daily basis. If you are paying
by credit card, the currency exchange rate is set by the credit
card company on the day we process your order. The exchange
rate will appear on your credit card statement. You may also
choose to purchase an international money order in Canadian
funds. Please be careful mailing an international money order
to us as it is similar to sending cash.
Please note that for international orders
(orders outside of North America) the cost of a single adoption
kit is CDN$60 and a Chimp Chums kit is CDN$85, including shipping
and handling.
About the sanctuary
Is the sanctuary open to the public? If I
adopt a chimp, can I visit him or her?
The Fauna Foundation's chimpanzee sanctuary
is not a zoo and is not, therefore, open to the public.
However, we understand what an incredible experience
it is to meet the chimpanzees in person and to learn about
their histories as you look into their eyes. Therefore, we
try to arrange educational private visits during the spring
and summer months where people may tour the sanctuary and,
from a safe distance, view the chimps in their outdoor facilities.
Individuals and groups interested in taking
advantage of this limited opportunity for a private tour must
reserve in advance. For more information, please contact visits@adopt-a-chimp.com.
About the chimps
Why don't you release the chimps back into
the wild?
There is no doubt that chimpanzees belong in
their natural habitat in Africa. Unfortunately, there are
several reasons why the Fauna Foundation chimpanzees cannot
be moved to Africa. First, the Fauna chimpanzees grew up in
North America away from their families and have not learned
the necessary skills to survive in the wild. Second, the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES) generally prohibits the movement of chimpanzees,
who are classified as an endangered species, to different
nations. Third, chimpanzee habitats in Africa are being destroyed
at alarming rates and wild chimpanzees are being hunted for
food. Chimpanzee sanctuaries in Africa are overcrowded and
in need of assistance, they could not handle the additional
burden. Finally, the Fauna Foundation chimpanzees were retired
from biomedical research and were used in the testing of human
vaccines. For this reason, they have special needs and require
specialized, more expensive care to ensure the health and
safety of the chimpanzees and the humans who work with them.
How can I help the chimps?
You can adopt one or more of the wonderful residents
who live at the Fauna Foundation and/or you can make a donation
to help give the chimpanzees the life that they deserve. Please
visit the Fauna
Foundation for more ideas on how you can help.
Do all of the chimps get along?
Imagine that you had to live with the same group
of people 24 hours a day for the rest of your life! Some of
the chimpanzees, such as Sue
Ellen and Donna
Rae, are consistently good friends. All of the chimps
have social interactions with others such as playing, tickling,
grooming, and sharing food, but fighting between the chimps
does occasionally happen. Money raised through Adopt-a-Chimp
goes directly to expanding the sanctuary so that the chimps
have more individual space and room to "take a break" from
each other.
Will the chimps ever go back into research?
The Fauna
Foundation is a true sanctuary and is therefore the permanent
home for the residents who live there. The chimpanzees will
never be used in another biomedical experiment.
Do the chimps have babies?
No. All of the male chimpanzees (Pablo,
Tom, Yoko,
Regis, Jethro,
Binky and Billy
Jo) have had vasectomies before coming to the Fauna Foundation
Chimpanzee Sanctuary. As a sanctuary, Fauna Foundation does
not believe chimpanzees belong in captivity and does not want
to be responsible for more chimpanzees being born into a captive
life.
Do the chimps get bored?
Yes. Wild chimpanzees in Africa usually travel
up to 30 kilometers a day, with most of that time spent foraging
for food. It is impossible for a captive environment to mimic
a natural chimpanzee environment, so we must always provide
the chimps with new activities to occupy their time and stimulate
their interests. This is very challenging and even with all
of our efforts, the chimps are occasionally bored. We hope,
with your help, we can continue to add excitement to the lives
of the chimps and provide them with an enriching, constantly
improving environment.
About chimps in general
How closely related are we to chimps?
Humans share 98.4% of our genetic material (DNA)
with chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are more closely related to
humans than they are to gorillas. In fact, humans share more
common genetic material with chimpanzees than African elephants
share with Asian elephants.
Do chimps make good pets?
No! Chimpanzee babies are very appealing and
many people believe it would be fun to have a chimp as a companion.
Chimpanzee babies, however, grow up to be large, strong, and
will-full adolescents. A full-grown chimpanzee is five to
eight times stronger than an adult human and can easily hurt
a person, even in play. "Pet" chimps almost always end up
being put into cages, chained in garages, locked in sheds,
or sold into biomedical research once they become too much
for their owners to handle. Rachel,
a chimpanzee who now lives at the sanctuary, began her life
as a pet and was sold into biomedical research when she was
less than three years old.
How strong are chimps?
Full-grown chimpanzees are five to eight times
stronger than adult male humans. Chimpanzees are particularly
strong in their upper bodies, and can pull up to 1,000 lbs.
with one arm.
Is it true that chimps have the same intelligence
as a 3- or 4-year old child?
Research has shown that chimpanzees can do many
things that humans can do such as learn and use the signs
of American Sign Language, solve puzzles, use and modify tools,
learn by observing, trick others, form alliances, and remember
past events. Intelligence in humans is measured by IQ tests,
but there are many ways for an individual to be "smart." Using
a human measure of intelligence for a non-human animal can
only measure certain aspects of intelligence. Chimpanzees
are perfect chimpanzees. Chimpanzees have evolved to adapt
to their environment, just as humans have evolved to adapt
to our environment.
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