Meet PAWS' Newest Resident:
Mack, An Orphaned Yearling Black Bear
by Dr. Jackie Gai, DVM
PAWS' Director of Veterinary Services
 
Mack's early history is a mystery, but it almost certainly was frightening, painful and lonely. Normally, wild bear cubs stay with their mothers until they are about two years old, learning from her what to eat, how to find food, and how to recognize and avoid danger. When Mack first came into contact with people last summer, he was a small cub only a few months old. Visitors to a tree farm in the hills above Claremont, California reported seeing a lone cub who was missing part of his right rear leg, soliciting food from people. No one saw his mother, nor had they seen any adult bears in the area. Although no one knew how he had lost part of his leg, it is suspected that it may have been traumatically amputated in a trap.  


Mack, shortly after his arrival at
The Fund For Animals Wildlife Center where he had been living before coming to PAWS.
Mack stopped showing up at the tree farm, but he appeared at a nearby school a few weeks later, climbing a fence and clearly wanting to be near people. On July 15th, 2015, a warden from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife went to the school and picked him up. The little orphan was taken to the Fund For Animals Wildlife Center in Ramona, California for evaluation and care. This facility takes in several orphaned black bear cubs every year and rehabilitates them for release back to the wild. When Mack arrived at the center, he weighed just 16 pounds. A veterinary examination revealed that his right hind leg had been traumatically amputated mid-tibia, but thankfully the amputation wound had healed and there was no evidence of infection.
 
The initial plan was to care for him until he was big enough to release back to the wild, and also to assess how well he was able to cope with his disability. Within a couple of months it became abundantly clear that although Mack could get around fairly well with three legs, he had become irreversibly habituated to humans and therefore was not a good candidate for release. Staff and volunteers at The Fund For Animals Wildlife Center provided expert care, a healthy diet specially formulated for a growing cub, and began the search for an appropriate, permanent home for Mack.

Soon after PAWS was contacted about providing sanctuary for Mack, PAWS' cofounder and director Ed Stewart and veterinarian Dr. Jackie Gai traveled to Ramona to meet Mack and learn about his special needs. We learned that Mack is very active, but needed an enclosure without too many obstacles where he might bump his amputation site. We also learned that he loves water, especially splashing in a pool. We then set about remodeling an enclosure at our Galt sanctuary that had previously been home to tigers Roy, Kim, and Claire, who recently moved to ARK 2000. Uneven ground was leveled, additional soft soil brought in, and dirt ramps were built leading to a low, grassy hill where we thought he would like to rest. Mack arrived on August 16th, safely transported by our friend Bobbi Brink of Lions, Tigers, and Bears, a GFAS-accredited exotic animal sanctuary in Alpine, California.
 

Mack rests in the tall grass of his habitat at our Galt sanctuary.
Since his arrival, Mack has been settling in to his new home very well. He has a large pool to splash and play in, a cozy den, and a large grassy enclosure with a gently sloped hill and shady trees. Just as he has been learning about us, we have also been learning a lot about him. Mack appears to be a "night owl", preferring to nap during the day and being more active at night. Our 24-hour animal care staff see him playing in his pool at night, as well as exploring his habitat and resting on top of his grassy hill under the stars. He likes a variety of foods, but particular favorites are fish, grapes, avocado, dandelion greens and figs that grow on sanctuary grounds.
 
Mack is a gentle, playful bear who is full of energy and curiosity. The entire PAWS family is excited to welcome him to his forever home, and we look forward to watching him grow up with us.

Mack takes a dip in his pool.

Click here to adopt Mack and to learn more about
the black bears living at PAWS' sanctuaries.



Governor Brown Signs California
Ban on Elephant Bullhooks!

PAWS is very proud to report that California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law SB 1062, the bill to ban the use of cruel bullhooks on elephants. The bill passed the California legislature with overwhelming bipartisan approval, passing the Senate and Assembly by votes of 27-10 and 65-7 respectively. PAWS has long campaigned to "Ban the Bullhook!" not just in California but across the nation. California is now the second state to prohibit bullhooks, after Rhode Island enacted a ban in July.

"PAWS applauds Governor Brown for signing SB 1062 and thanks Senator Ricardo Lara for his great leadership and compassion for elephants," said PAWS President Ed Stewart. "We are proud to have been a co-sponsor of this important legislation that will ensure these highly intelligent, sensitive and self-aware animals get the respect and protection they deserve."

The bullhook is a weapon resembling a fireplace poker, with a sharpened steel tip and hook at the end. It has only one use: to control elephants through fear and pain. Handlers sharply strike, hook, and jab elephants with the bullhook, sometimes causing puncture wounds and lacerations. The device is most commonly used in circuses, elephant rides and other "entertainment," however, some zoos continue to cling to this archaic and inhumane device.

At the ARK 2000 sanctuary our keepers rely on positive reinforcement training, food treats, and praise to train and manage our elephants, and provide a full range of husbandry and veterinary care. PAWS has worked with elephants for more than 30 years, including bulls and highly dangerous elephants, and never used a bullhook.

The California ban on bullhooks is one more powerful indicator that public attitudes about the treatment and use of elephants in circuses, rides and traveling shows are rapidly changing. Stewart stated: "This is the beginning of the end for the use of elephants and other wild animals in entertainment."


The California law will go
into effect January 1, 2018.
This one's for you, Pat!
A
s always, it takes a team to realize our goals for animals. PAWS was proud to co-sponsor SB 1062 together with the Oakland Zoo and The Humane Society of the United States, formidable champions for elephants. And we thank the indomitable Jennifer Fearing of Fearless Advocacy for her expertise and dedication to protecting all animals. PAWS appreciates our amazing supporters who made phone calls, sent emails, attended committee meetings at the Capitol, and collected letters in support of a bullhook ban. You really made a difference!

Special thanks go to PAWS' friends Kim Basinger, Lily Tomlin and Kevin Nealon who contacted the governor's office in support of SB 1062, and all of our entertainment industry friends who wrote letters, signed on to a collective statement opposing use of the bullhook, and used social media to inform others of the importance of this legislation. 

PAWS would like to single out and thank the California Association of Zoos and Aquariums for its strong support. AZA-accredited zoos in our state have been bullhook-free for more than 10 years!
 
Our deep appreciation goes to all the state Senators and Assembly members who voted in support of SB 1062. We are proud to be in Assemblymember Frank Bigelow's district, and thank him for his compassion for elephants and strong support for banning the bullhook. PAWS also thanks Assemblymember Rob Bonta for his key support of SB 1062.

PAWS dedicates this enormous win for the elephants to the late Pat Derby, co-founder of PAWS, who was so passionate about ending the use of bullhooks. She once wrote: "The claim that this weapon can be used positively is pure nonsense, the very nature of the bullhook is to dominate through fear and violence."

PAWS is proud to have played a key role in passing the California ban (a two-year process), as well as the bullhook bans in Los Angeles and Oakland, California. We have also been active in the passage of ordinances in other major U.S. cities and the Rhode Island state ban, providing critical support and expert testimony.

*  *  *  *  * 

Please make a donation today to celebrate this huge win for the elephants and to help PAWS continue its important work to "Ban the Bullhook!" and to end the suffering of elephants and other wild animals in circuses and traveling shows.
 
Thank you!



Kim (above and below) was the first of the three tigers to take a dip in their new pool, jumping in while it was still in the process of being filled!


Construction is Complete on
Pool for Tigers Roy, Kim and Claire
 
PAWS thanks everyone who contributed toward the construction of a pool for tiger siblings Kim, Roy and Claire who moved into their new habitat at ARK 2000 in March of this year. Tigers love water, and they are enjoying regular swims, especially during the summer heat.
 
We are particularly grateful to majority funders Kim Eggleston and his wife Paula, after whom "Paula's Pool" is named. Our utmost appreciation goes to the following donors whose generosity also helped complete pool construction and plumbing: Mary R. Ferris, Carol Jones, Tracy Joyce, Jean Van Loan, Sandra and Eric Losey, Lynn Johnson , and Mary Ann Redeker. Thank you!





PAWS volunteers after a recent concert at the Ironstone Amphitheatre.

I ronstone Vineyards and PAWS Volunteers:
Coming Together to Help Our Animals
and the Community

Ironstone Vineyards in our own Calaveras County, California, is nationally known for its award-winning wines. Locally, it is just as well known for presenting world-class summer concerts in a beautiful setting at the Ironstone Amphitheatre. But few are aware of the ongoing generosity that Ironstone has shown to PAWS and our wonderful volunteers.


The Ironstone Amphitheatre
in Murphys, California.
Ten years ago, Ironstone developed a program where PAWS volunteers could attend concerts for free in exchange for their help in cleaning up after the shows. In addition, Ironstone would make a generous donation to PAWS after each concert. PAWS volunteers enthusiastically offered their services, and the tradition continues today.

PAWS volunteer Nancy Stehura and Ironstone volunteer coordinator Dan Harrison told PAWS that the Ironstone program allows them to be of service to the community, while receiving the perk of getting to see great concerts. They described their commitment to this volunteer work as being "for the elephants and other animals at PAWS."

The Kautz family, owners of Ironstone Vineyards, expressed their deep appreciation for the volunteers, adding that they are always "professional, efficient and reliable."

PAWS is incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers, whose work at Ironstone helps the animals at PAWS and benefits the community. And we sincerely appreciate the continuing generosity of our friends at Ironstone Vineyards.



San Francisco 2014

Where Will You Be Marching for
Elephants and Rhinos on September 24?
 
On Saturday, September 24, the third annual Global March for Elephants and Rhinos will take place in cities around the world to bring attention to the plight of these endangered animals. This year's march is timed to coincide with the opening day of the CITES (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna) meeting of the Conference of the Parties taking place in South Africa. CITES is a global treaty that protects species from becoming endangered or extinct because of international trade. The treaty covers more than 35,000 species of wild plants and animals, and involves 181 member countries. The meeting of the Conference of the Parties is held to review, discuss, and negotiate changes in the implementation of CITES, including changes in protections for certain species.  


March for Elephants and Rhinos is an event suitable or all ages. Here are some of last year's younger participants.

At this year's conference, there are several key proposals affecting elephants and rhinos, including important proposals by the
African Elephant Coalition - a consortium of 29 African countries seeking to protect elephants. One of the proposals seeks to ban the international trade in ivory by changing the CITES status of all African elephants to Appendix I, conferring the greatest protection possible. Another proposal would limit the trade in live African elephants to conservation projects in their native habitats. Unbelievably, other countries have proposals that would allow trade in ivory and rhino horn.
 
African elephants are being slaughtered at a rate of nearly 100 per day in some areas so their tusks can be turned into trinkets and carvings. A rhinoceros is killed every eight hours for its horn, to be sold as status symbols and unproven "medicines." So now is the time to take action for these iconic animals.
 
PAWS will be marching in San Francisco, as we've done for the past three years. The march will begin at 10:15 a.m. at Union Square (333 Post St., SF) and end there with a rally. Marchers are asked to gather at Union Square no later at 10:00 a.m. For more information, visit  MarchForElephants.org or click here for March For Elephants' San Francisco Facebook event page.
 
If you can't join us in San Francisco, be sure to find an event near you and march to bring awareness to the plight of elephants and rhinos. To locate a march in your area, click here.



March with us in San Francisco on September 24!




Space Is Limited and Filling Up Fast!
Register Today for This Year's Conference
 
The PAWS 2016 International Captive Wildlife Conference, taking place in San Andreas, California on November 11-12, features an exciting roster of speakers addressing the confinement and use of exotic and wild animals - with a focus on elephants, bears and big cats, and a special look at "next wave" sanctuaries for elephants, orcas and nonhuman primates.
 
The conference will be followed by an optional visit to the beautiful, 2,300-acre, natural habitat ARK 2000 sanctuary on November 13, led by PAWS President Ed Stewart. ARK 2000 is home to elephants, lion, black leopard, tigers and bears.
 
Conference speakers represent a range of organizations and expertise:
 
Sanctuaries : Big Cat Rescue, FOUR Paws International, Global Sanctuary for Elephants, Lions, Tigers and Bears, Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Project Chimps, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, The Whale Sanctuary Project

Scientific Research : Dr. Robert Jacobs, featured in Nat Geo's Mind of a Giant; Jamie Sherman, U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Animal Law : Animal Legal Defense Fund, PETA Foundation

Zoos : Alaska Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Oakland Zoo

Animal Welfare, Policy and Conservation Organizations : Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, International Fund for Animal Welfare, The Humane Society of the US, Tigers in America, Zoocheck
 
Conference Program Overview
Friday, Nov. 11:  Big Cats/Bears - Followed by Ice Breaker Reception
Saturday, Nov. 12 : Elephants/Next Wave Sanctuaries
Sunday, Nov. 13: Morning visit to ARK 2000 (conference attendees only)
 
Featured Speakers (to date):  Sarah Baeckler Davis, Project Chimps; Carson Barylak, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW); Carole and Howard Baskin, Big Cat Rescue; Scott Blais, Global Sanctuary for Elephants - Brazil; Bobbi Brink, Lions, Tigers and Bears; Wim DeKok, FOUR Paws International; Catherine Doyle, Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS); Chris Draper, Born Free Foundation; Dr. Jackie Gai, DVM, Performing Animal Welfare Society; Robert Jacobs, PhD, Colorado College; Ron Kagan, Detroit Zoo; Pat Lampi, Alaska Zoo; Lori Marino, The Whale Sanctuary Project; Carney Anne Nasser, Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF); William Nimmo, Tigers in America; Nicole Paquette, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS); Dr. Joel Parrott, DVM, Oakland Zoo; Brittany Peet, PETA Foundation; Adam Roberts, Born Free USA; Jamie Sherman, U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Ed Stewart, Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS); Julie Woodyer, Zoocheck; Janice Zeitlin, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee (TES).
 
PAWS has been presenting outstanding conferences since 1992, attracting speakers and attendees from around the world. Our aim is to educate, stimulate critical discussion, and promote action to protect and improve the welfare of captive wildlife.  
 
Space is limited and filling up fast, so register today.

See you in November!


Good News for Animals
France has become the first European country to ban the domestic trade in elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn . Under the leadership of Environment Minister Ségolène Royal, France has also restricted the import of lion trophies into France and initiated progressive stops to combat wildlife trafficking.
 
No animal circuses. Kudos to the Pittsfield City Council in Massachusetts, which voted 8-3 to ban the use of wild animals for entertainment. Council members in favor of the ordinance agreed the law would protect animals from being abused and mistreated in circuses and traveling shows.

A BIG Thank You!

August Amazon Wish List Donors

Danielle C. Anderson: one 5-lb. tub of Psyllium, one bag of Blue Buffalo, two bags of Greenies pill pockets. Patricia L Connelly: one case of copy paper; two Probiocin. Belinda Rogers: one Probiocin. Carole Bognar: one 5-lb. tub of Psyllium. Heather Canini: one bottle Azodyl, 90#; one Probiocin; one 40-lb. case of oranges. Anne-Marie Maddox: one 4-pk of Azodyl, 360#; one 12-pk Probiocin. Samantha Navetta: one 10-lb. tub of Psyllium; one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#. Jean Macomber: one 10-lb. tub of Psyllium. Lindi Clark: four Probiocin. Christina Sturken: two bags of Greenies pill pockets. Suzanne Block: one 5-lb. tub of Psyllium. Anonymous Donors: one 10' x 10' pop-up tent; one 5-lb. tub of Psyllium; two 5-lb. bags of Missing Link Ultimate Skin & Coat; three boxes of nitrile gloves (S/M/L).  
 
View wish list items that are needed,
but not listed on the Amazon list, here.


There are many ways you can help PAWS animals:
 
 
 
Adopt A PAWS Animal
If you would like to help our animals, one of the best ways is to become an "adoptive parent," or give a PAWS adoption as a gift to an animal lover in your life. PAWS adoptions are symbolic adoptions only. No animal will be sent!
  
PAWS Amazon Wish List

EBAY Giving Works
List items on EBAY and choose PAWS as your charity. Donate a percentage of each sale to the animals. Visit our EBAY charity listing page here. Start selling!

Corporate Donations
and Matching Fund Programs
Learn more about what is needed.

Donate Your Vehicle
To PAWS.

PAWS Partnerships
Help us change the life of a victim of captivity by becoming a PAWS Partner.  PAWS partnerships help support our sanctuary operations and the day-to-day care of the animals.

FOR EVERYONE WHO SHOPS ONLINE!
Shop through IGIVE and raise money for PAWS!
Up to 26% of your purchase - at more than 1,600 retailers - can be donated to PAWS.
  
  
PAWS is rated
a 4-Star Charity 
Purchase PAWS apparel and merchandise.
Clothing for adults, kids, toddlers and infants, as well as other fun merchandise like coffee mugs - available from our online gift shop .

Estates/Planned Giving
You can help us make sure captive wildlife in need of shelter will always have a PAWS sanctuary to call home!
 
Donate To PAWS
PAWS receives no government funding and must rely on your donations to continue our work. Three ways to give and every donation matters.  Learn more


PAWS merchandise is fun, educational,
and always makes a great gift !
PAWS' Note Cards
Bears, Tigers, Elephants
Dozens of different designs are now available in our gift shop.
$24.99 for a set of 10 + tax + worldwide shipping

More items, more designs, more fun - all to benefit the animals at PAWS!
Logo clothing available in adult, children, toddler and infant sizes.


"Seeing the Elephant" Weekend Getaways | PAWS Animal Adoptions
Both available for gift purchases.
  
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PO Box 849
Galt, CA 95632
(209) 745-2606