Laura Guttridge and Other Animal Rights Activists Join Together to Support Save The Chimp's Sanctuary

February 2, 2015 - Laura Guttridge and other prominent animal rights supporters joined together on November 13, 2014 at The Vero Beach Hotel & Spa to raise money and awareness for the 6th Annual Chimp's Kitchen Gala, providing needed funds for Save The Chimp's Sanctuary, a non-profit organization located in Fort Pierce, Florida, about one hour from West Palm Beach.

Save The Chimp's Sanctuary provides a permanent home to nearly 300 chimpanzees rescued from biomedical research, the pet trade, and entertainment. Save The Chimp's Sanctuary is the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary.

"We have a sacred responsibility to help protect our fellow creatures from exploitation and abuse and our annual gala to support Save The Chimp's Sanctuary is always one of the most exciting and uplifting events on the Vero Beach social calendar," says Laura Guttridge, a former model and member of the Board of Directors of The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida has been a co-chair of the annual event since 2010.

The event featured delicious hors d'oeuvres created and donated by local chefs, specialty drinks sponsored by Cruzan Rum, live music by DUO VIDA and a silent auction raising thousands of dollars for the organization.

Humans share all but 1.4% of their DNA with chimpanzees and these fascinating primates are our closest living relative, offering unique insight into our own evolution and development. Several decades ago, millions of chimpanzees were living throughout Equatorial Africa. Today, chimpanzees are an endangered species, with as few as 170,000 left in the wild.

The primary threats to chimpanzees today are habitat destruction, hunting, and disease and Save The Chimps and events like the 6th Annual Chimp's Kitchen Gala play a vital role providing and building support for a permanent sanctuary for the lifelong care of chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, entertainment, and the pet trade.

"I am grateful for my amazing co-chair Judy Van Saun and the incredible support of the other event organizers and the passion and enthusiasm of animal rights supporters throughout the Treasure Coast of Florida," says Guttridge, "our event was a tremendous success, raising thousands of dollars to support Save The Chimp's Sanctuary, and we look forward to a very successful 2015."