It’s an understatement to say that this has been a year like no other, and that we’re all eager to see 2020 come to an end. It’s been hard on everyone. That’s why I can’t thank you enough for being there for PAWS and the animals throughout this very difficult time. I am incredibly moved by your outpouring of love and support, even as so many people are struggling with challenges and losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You truly are the “heart” of PAWS.

In 2021 PAWS will enter its 37^th year of rescuing captive wildlife in need, providing rehabilitation and lifetime sanctuary care, and working to end the abuse and exploitation of wild animals through effective advocacy efforts. We look forward to continuing this life-saving work together with you.

For the last five years, Owen has been quietly living at PAWS' sanctuary in Galt, California, held in a "witness protection program" of sorts. He was purchased as a cub to be a family “pet” but later confiscated after he was found living in a small, dirty cage in a private home. (Bobcats are wild animals and never make good “pets.”) PAWS provided emergency placement for Owen while an investigation took place. This year it became official: PAWS is Owen’s permanent home! In June, Owen was moved from our Galt sanctuary into a large habitat at ARK 2000, where he enjoys sunning himself and investigating his lush hillside surroundings. (Read Owen's story in our July newsletter here.)

Black bear Mack spent January settling into his new digs in the Bob Barker Bear Habitat at ARK 2000 (he was moved from our Galt sanctuary in December 2019). Mack arrived at PAWS as an orphaned yearling in August 2016. Although much of his right hind leg is missing, nothing stops this active and very athletic young bear. Mack is enjoying his spacious new home filled with trees, brush, grass, and plenty of room to explore.

Milestone Animal Anniversaries

When PAWS provides sanctuary for an animal, it is for life – and for many animals this means they will be with us for a very long time. In 2020 we celebrated these special anniversaries:

African elephant Mara was rescued by PAWS 30 years ago. She is the sanctuary’s longest-term resident and remains one of our more colorful personalities, known for her fun-loving spirit, athleticism, and high energy. She loves to push on trees, eat leafy branches, and dig deep holes in the ground to create mud wallows and dusting areas – just as wild elephants do.

Winston arrived at PAWS 25 years ago. This black bear was purchased as a “pet” and eventually confiscated by wildlife authorities. When he came to PAWS, Winston joined another young black bear, Boo Boo, who had also been a “pet.” The two bonded and they remain close to this day – a quarter-century-long friendship!

Lulu – the oldest African elephant in North America – came to PAWS 15 years ago. Lulu went from being a traumatized elephant who cowered in the presence of other elephants when she first arrived at the sanctuary, to the respected leader of her group at ARK 2000 that includes Maggie and Toka. She truly is an example of the restorative power of sanctuary care.

Camba, an African lion, has been with PAWS for 10 years. She arrived with lions Bambek, Simba and Daktari (now deceased) after their rescue from a circus in South America. Once trucked from city to city in a tiny cage and forced to perform in shows, today Camba roams a large hilltop habitat where she can gaze out at the world around her.

PAWS said good-bye to tiger Alka who passed away in April, the last of the tigers from an historic rescue. In 2004 PAWS undertook what was then the largest big cat rescue in U.S. history, saving 39 sick and starving tigers from a Southern California facility that once offered tours and photos with tiger cubs. When state officials closed the facility and confiscated the animals, they found more than 90 dead tigers, 58 dead tiger cubs in freezers, and dozens of live tigers in terrible condition. This rescue was an enormous and long-term undertaking for PAWS; care of the tigers spanned 16 years. We will always fondly remember the 39 tigers who found a new life at PAWS.

Following the release of the Netflix docuseries Tiger King, PAWS President Ed Stewart was interviewed by various media outlets. He also released a must-read statement: Ed Stewart Comments on Tiger King and What You Really Need to Know About Captive Big Cats.

PAWS called out two companies – Fodor’s Travel and vegan online resource LIVEKINDLY – for their articles promoting elephant tourism in Thailand, even though the elephants suffer for people’s entertainment. (See "PAWS Pushes Back: Elephant Interactions Abroad Are Definitely Not Okay!" in our September newsletter here.)

We provided expert testimony in support of bills to ban the use of captive wild animals in traveling shows in various municipalities. We also supported a prohibition on public contact with dangerous wild animals in Virginia, which was signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam on April 2.

PAWS has been actively supporting the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act, which would restrict the private ownership of captive big cats and end cub petting in roadside zoos. The bill recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives but was not heard in the Senate. The bill will be introduced again in 2021 – stay tuned for ways you can help pass this critical bill!

In addition, PAWS President Ed Stewart joined other sanctuary directors and national animal protection organizations in a webinar to educate legislative staff in Washington, DC, about the realities of captivity for big cats and the need to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act. Director of Science, Research and Advocacy Catherine Doyle was featured in the Nonhuman Rights Project’s Interview Series and The Whale Sanctuary Project’s Live Series webinar, Sanctuaries: A Global Movement for Urgent Times.

You can still catch two great episodes of “Hiking with Kevin” on YouTube that feature Oscar Award-winning actress Kim Basinger and PAWS President Ed Stewart. The interview series, created by comedian, actor and PAWS’ friend Kevin Nealon, was entirely filmed entirely at the ARK 2000 sanctuary. Click to watch Part 1 and Part 2.

Special thanks to everyone who donated toward the purchase of a therapeutic toy that provides physical therapy for tiger Mungar (right), helping to strengthen his rear legs and improve his mobility. Mungar was born with multiple physical disabilities, likely the result of inbreeding by an unscrupulous private owner. Because you were so generous, we were able to purchase toys for some of our other big cats as well. Thank you!

Last Chance to Make Your

There is still time to make a year-end, tax-deductible gift for the elephants, big cats, bears and other wild animals who have found safe refuge at PAWS. (To everyone who has already donated - thank you!) Your year-end gift provides high quality daily and veterinary care, round the clock monitoring, and spacious natural habitats for the animals. 

To make your contribution online simply click on the “Donate” button below. Or you can call the PAWS office at 209-745-2606 (Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST) to charge a donation to your credit card. If you wish to gift a stock donation, please contact Kim Gardner at 916-539-5305 or email kimkleingardner@yahoo.com for more information. Thank you!

Roy and his sisters Kim and Claire arrived at PAWS in October 2003 when they were just four months old. (Read more about the tiger siblings in our June 2020 newsletter here.) They were rescued from a roadside zoo in New Hampshire that was being shut down. The zoo was known for breeding tigers to produce a steady supply of cubs who were used for photo and petting sessions with the public, and other exploitative uses. Captive tigers in these situations are often recklessly bred, producing cubs with genetic defects. Roy's crossed eyes and crooked spine were a lifelong testament to this reprehensible practice.

In March of 2016, the three tigers were moved to a much larger habitat at ARK 2000. (Watch a video of the tigers' move here.) Here Roy enjoyed a custom-built swimming pool that was large and deep enough for his 500+ pound frame to be able to stretch out and swim around in (left). Tiger Supervisor Renae and staff enjoyed watching him "swim laps", propelling himself along like a circling shark with the tips of his toes barely touching the bottom. He also enjoyed the sounds, sights and scents of nature from his hilltop habitat and was often found sprawled out in the tall grass or resting under a giant oak tree, his sisters always nearby.

In April of 2017, Roy developed a serious condition in his eyes which required surgical removal of his left eye, and later a ground-breaking graft procedure by veterinary ophthalmologists at UC Davis that successfully saved vision in his right eye. (Read "Special Veterinary Care for Tiger Roy" in our April 2017 newsletter here.) He bounced back quickly from his surgeries, and kept a cheerful, outgoing personality even as he began having symptoms of early onset arthritis and mobility challenges caused by the curvature of his spine and its effect on his spinal cord. For the past few years Roy's caregivers made sure that he received daily medications and special supplements hidden in food to help with the arthritis and to support the health of his remaining eye. 

PAWS thanks everyone who donated and made #GivingTuesday a terrific success for the eight elephants at our sanctuary. Through your compassion and generosity, PAWS more than doubled its fundraising goal of $50,000 in 24 hours to care for Maggie, Mara, Lulu, Gypsy, Thika, Toka, Nicholas and Prince. Your contributions provide daily care and veterinary treatments, nutritious diets, and special medications for our older elephants.

PAWS is very grateful to the donors who provided $51,000 in matching grants, including the Mr. and Mrs. Eric Kurtzman, Sandy Monticelli, Peg Cheng and Andrew Baldinger, Barbara and Anthony Nozzi, and one very special friend who wishes to remain anonymous.

#GivingTuesday is an annual day of charitable giving that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and benefits nonprofits everywhere. If you were unable to donate on #GivingTuesday and would like to help the elephants and at PAWS, you can make a donation by clicking here.

Did you know that PAWS has an Amazon Wish List? We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. Click here to review the items and donate. You can also review “wish list” items that are needed but not listed on Amazon. Click here for that list.

Robert Croft: four bottles of CosequinDS, 132#. Asher A. Borrodaile: two Probiocin. Animal Health Vaccines in honor of Jane Droogsma's birthday: one bottle of Emcelle Tocopherol. Christina Goulart: one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#. Gabrielle and Jeffrey Callison: one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#. Marsha Gladding: two bottles of CosequinDS, 132#; one 2-pack of Laxatone. Susan Stangland: one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#; one 8 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm.. Mary McDonald: one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#; one 2-pack of Laxatone, one bottle of Eicosaderm. Dayoan Rivera: two 8 oz. bottles of EicosaDerm; one 5 lb. bag of Missing Link Skin & Coat. Skylar Cye: one 5 lb. bag of Missing Link Skin & Coat. Kimberley Ferra in honor of Pamela Flowers: two 5 lb. bags of Missing Link Skin & Coat.