PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.
Since 1984
October 2019 | Newsletter
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Tiger Czar explores the fall leaves in his new enclosure at PAWS' ARK 2000 sanctuary. Czar is one of three tigers who arrived this month.
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PAWS Welcomes
New Tigers to ARK 2000
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October marked the arrival of three new tigers to PAWS' ARK 2000 sanctuary.
Mungar, Czar and Tessa needed immediate placement when their previous home, Southern California's Wildlife Waystation, permanently ceased operations and relinquished their permit to keep wild animals. PAWS and several other sanctuaries across the country stepped up to help, providing permanent refuge for a number of displaced animals.
When Wildlife Waystation officially surrendered their permit in August, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife immediately assumed both physical and fiscal responsibility for the daily care of more than 400 exotic and non-releasable wild animals, a monumentally expensive and daunting task for a state agency. At the request of the state, the New York-based non-profit Tigers in America (TIA) began finding appropriate placement for big cats and other animals within its network of sanctuaries. As of this writing, TIA has assisted in relocating 42 big cats into new homes in eight sanctuaries across the country.
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The air-conditioned trailer carrying tigers Tessa, Czar and Mungar arrives at PAWS' ARK 2000 sanctuary.
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PAWS' staff, assisted by the Tigers in America and In-Sync teams, prepares to release the first tiger into its individual enclosure and den area.
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Mungar, Czar and Tessa have made themselves right at home, and are settling in well. They are getting to know our staff and daily routine, as well as the other tigers who are housed nearby. Czar and Tessa are considered elderly, and Mungar has significant but manageable disabilities. PAWS' caregiving and veterinary staff excel at caring for older and "special needs" animals. Disability-friendly habitats, nutritious food, dedicated daily care, round-the-clock monitoring, and expert veterinary care tailored to the unique needs of each individual are the hallmarks that define PAWS' commitment to animal well-being.
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Mungar
(left) is 14 years old, and he is patient, strong, and quite unique. He was born with multiple physical challenges that were probably the result of genetic defects due to inbreeding, something all too common among tigers in captivity. He is blind in his left eye and has limited vision in his right. Malformed neck vertebrae pinch his spinal cord causing neurological symptoms such as urinary incontinence and difficulty using his rear legs. He also has a deformed jaw which makes it challenging to chew large pieces of food. We cut his meat into small strips to make it easier for him to chew and swallow. He takes multiple medications to help with his challenges, all of which he seems to take in stride. We immediately noticed his calm, trusting and positive attitude.
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Mungar's enclosure includes a small pool and den area and is attached to his own disability-friendly habitat filled with shady oak trees, soft grass and soil. We've installed wooden platforms that have been built low to the ground so he can get on and off them with ease. He is a tiger who loves water. In fact, the first thing he did when he entered his new enclosure was to climb into his pool for a good soak. Mungar is a big, solid tiger with a calm and relaxed demeanor and a friendly personality. He and his new neighbor Apollo are mutually curious about each other and interactions through their shared fence have been cautious, but positive.
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Mungar found a Boomer ball in his new habitat at ARK 2000. These balls are specially designed for large animals like tigers and provide a form of physical therapy by encouraging them to stretch, play and use their muscles.
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Czar
(left) is 17 years old, active, inquisitive, and handsome. He also loves water and enjoys being given a cool bath with a water hose by his caregivers or submerging himself in the pool within his enclosure. He always greets people, and neighboring tigers, with a friendly "chuff." He even chuffs at his pool!
The first thing Czar did when released into his enclosure and den area at ARK 2000 was eat grass. All of our tiger enclosures and habitats have areas with filled with lush, green grass, a favorite treat for tigers. Tigers, like many domestic cats, love to eat grass. PAWS irrigates certain areas so that even during the hot summer months our tigers have access to green grass. Czar's enclosure is next door to Tessa's and they seem to enjoy each other's company. Caregivers report positive vocalizations (chuffing) back and forth.
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Czar finds a pumpkin in his enclosure. Thank you to our many friends who have donated pumpkins for PAWS' animals.
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Tessa
((left) is 17 years old, full of energy and beautiful. Overall she is friendly and curious, but also has a shy and reserved side. She especially loves lounging on the elevated wooden platform in her enclosure where she can watch all of the activity going on around her. She also enjoys rolling and pouncing on her big Boomer ball.
Tessa greets people and neighboring tigers alike with a friendly "chuff." She is very curious about her other neighbor, tiger Sawyer, and often makes friendly gestures towards her. Like all tigers at PAWS, Tessa's enclosure and den area is attached to a large habitat filled with trees, grass, soft soil and a pool.
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Tessa lounging in her enclosure, watching the activity going on around her.
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Tessa finds a pumpkin in her enclosure, a gift from a PAWS' donor.
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Czar and Tessa will soon have access to larger habitats. They must first become acclimated to their individual enclosures and dens and learn the daily routine before we let them out into the bigger areas. This way they will know to come back in for feeding and medications.
We look forward to getting to know these tigers even more, and we're honored to provide them with room to roam, the peaceful sounds of nature, and the love and respect they deserve.
Please consider making a special gift to PAWS in honor of Mungar, Tessa and Czar. (We estimate that it costs approximately $18,000 per year to care for one
healthy tiger.) Just click on the donate button below. You can also “adopt” one of the three tigers (or all of them!) for yourself, a family member, or friend by clicking
here.
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The Tigers in America team, including co-founder Bill Nimmo (second from right) and the In-Sync crew, and PAWS staff members gather for a group photo after the successful delivery and unloading of tigers Czar, Mungar and Tessa. Well done, and thank you to you all!
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Join PAWS in Celebrating the First
Animal Sanctuary Appreciation Day!
Friday, November 1, is the very first
Animal Sanctuary Appreciation Day
! This is an annual day to celebrate the critical work of bona fide sanctuaries and raise public awareness of their important rescue and rehabilitation work. The event further aims to help the public identify true sanctuaries, which do not buy, sell, breed, trade, or exploit their animals for profit; those that care for captive wildlife do not offer public contact with wild animals of any age. Animal Sanctuary Appreciation Day was created by the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (
BCSA
), Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (
GFAS
), and the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (
NAPSA
). PAWS is a member of the BCSA and accredited by GFAS.
Please join us in celebrating Animal Sanctuary Appreciation Day by sharing your thoughts and well wishes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also make a donation to support the care of the animals at PAWS’ three sanctuaries by clicking
here
.
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Happy birthday to PAWS' African elephant Thika
who turned 39 on October 18th.
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PAWS Celebrates the End of Wild Animals in Circuses in California
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PAWS applauds California Governor Gavin Newsom for signing SB 313, the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act, into law. The bill, sponsored by Senator Ben Hueso and co-sponsored by PETA and Social Compassion in Legislation, ends the archaic use of wild animals for entertainment in circuses that come to California.
Established in 1984 by Ed Stewart and the late Pat Derby (once described as the circus’ “no. 1 antagonist”), PAWS has long fought to protect performing wild animals. Most recently, PAWS co-sponsored the California law, enacted in 2018, that prohibits the bullhook, a menacing weapon used to control elephants through fear and pain. This bill paved the way for more protections for performing wild animals.
At our 2,300-acre ARK 2000 sanctuary, PAWS cares for captive wild animals, including some from circuses such as African lion, Camba, and three Asian elephants, Nicholas, Gypsy, and Prince. Gypsy spent nearly 40 grueling years in circuses and was traded at least a half-dozen times between different shows. Today, the animals live in spacious, natural habitat environments that give them room to roam and engage in natural behaviors.
PAWS strongly supported the Circus Cruelty Prevention Act, including organizing a coalition of 20 organizations that contributed to the bill’s success. They include: Performing Animal Welfare Society; Advocates for the Animals at Six Flags; Animal Legal Defense Fund; Animal Welfare Institute; Big Cat Rescue; Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance; Born Free USA; CompassionWorks International; Conservation Society of California – Oakland Zoo; Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles; In Defense of Animals; International Fund for Animal Welfare; Last Chance for Animals; Lions, Tigers and Bears; Marin Humane; Nonhuman Rights Project; North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance; TerraMar Research; The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy; and Tigers in America.
PAWS thanks its California supporters who contacted their state Senators and Assembly members and attended important committee hearings.
Your voices – and the compassionate values of Californians – were heard.
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ARK 2000 Holiday Open House
December 14th
Tickets Now On Sale
Tickets are now on sale for our ARK 2000 Holiday Open House to be held on Saturday, December 14, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $50 for adults, $35 for seniors (65 and over) and $35 for children age 12 and under. If you're planning to attend, we advise you to purchase your tickets early; tickets are limited and this open house could sell out. No tickets will be sold at the gate on the day of the event.
Visitors to the ARK 2000 Holiday Open House will board shuttles to the bear, big cat and elephant habitats. Once you exit the shuttle you will be walking on grass, dirt, gravel, and sometimes paved surfaces, so please wear comfortable shoes. PAWS management, keepers and volunteers will be on hand to tell you about the animals and answer questions. A gift shop will be available on the day of the event. We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards.
If you would like to bring a holiday gift for the animals, we suggest any of the following favorites: apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, squash, pumpkins, melons, pears, unsalted peanuts in the shell, fresh mint leaves and fresh rosemary. You may drop off your gift by the front gate, or near the gift shop table when you arrive, or as you're leaving. Thank you!
This event happens rain or shine
. Tickets are not refundable.
Two ways to purchase:
Click on the button below to buy online and print your tickets at home; or call 209-745-2606, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, to charge by phone. Visit our calendar of events page for more information. Ticket sales close on Thursday, December 12, 2019, or earlier if this event sells out.
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PLEASE READ: Folding wheelchairs and strollers may be taken on most shuttles. Special arrangements for visitors with power scooters and power wheelchairs can be made by calling Kim Gardner at 916-539-5305. Yes, you may bring your cameras but
no drones
are allowed. There is
no smoking
on any PAWS property, including in our parking lots. We take fire prevention very seriously every day of the year.
No pets are allowed
on any PAWS property, including in our parking lots. Please leave your pets at home. You will not touch any animals and all visitors will be required to stay a safe distance away from all animals.
Due to the large size of the ARK 2000 sanctuary and locations of various animal habitats, not every animal featured on our website will be visible during an open house event. However, you will see big cats, bears and elephants!
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Thank You October
Amazon Wish List Donors!
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Saul Cervantes:
one 25 lb. bag of peanuts in the shell.
Carole Bognar:
one bottle CosequinDS, 132#.
Ben Sun:
one Probiocin.
Debbie Kelly:
one 5 lb. tub of Psyllium; one 25 lb. bag of peanuts in the shell.
Linda Starr:
one 10 lb. tub of Psyllium.
Thomas C. Dickson:
two 25 lb. bags of peanuts in the shell.
Martha Lawler, Kim Marie Campbell:
two 24-packs of AA batteries.
Patricia D. Adler Cartozian:
one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one Probiocin; one 5 lb. tub of Psyllium; one 5 lb. bag of Missing Link.
Ryan and Lynn Coplen:
one CranAnidin, 75#; two Presto Pop Lite popcorn poppers; two 5 lb. bags of Missing Link.
Anonymous Donors:
two 25 lb. bags of peanuts in the shell; 10 bottles of Emcelle Tocopherol.
Click on the Amazon Wish List link below to donate
specific items that are needed at our sanctuaries:
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View "wish list" items that are needed,
but
not listed
on the Amazon list,
here
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There are many ways
you can help PAWS animals:
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Donate To PAWS.
Although we work closely with regulatory agencies on animal rescues, 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
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!
Learn more
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.
Learn more
Estates/Planned Giving.
You can help us make sure captive wildlife in need of shelter will always have a PAWS sanctuary to call home!
Learn more
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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
.
Shop online through IGive and raise money for PAWS!
Up to 26% of your purchase - at more than 1,600 retailers - can be donated to PAWS.
Learn more
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.
Attend A Fundraiser.
PAWS sanctuaries ARE NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC but we do schedule a limited number of special events throughout the year.
Click here
to view PAWS' Calendar of Events.
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PAWS provides lifetime care to the big cats, bears, elephants, and other animals who call our sanctuaries home. Your kind support provides expert daily care, necessary veterinary treatments, and specialized nutritional support, all tailored to the individual needs of each animal.
Your generous donations make this excellent care possible.
Since its founding in 1984, PAWS has rescued more than 250 animals, including 19 elephants, 88 big cats and 19 bears.
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P. O. Box 849, Galt, CA 95632 | (209) 745-2606
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