PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY

Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.

Since 1984

Newsletter | December 2023

Asian elephant Gypsy.

Holiday Message from

PAWS President and CEO Ed Stewart

We are closing in on the New Year and a milestone anniversary for PAWS: 40 years of rescuing captive wildlife in need and providing these animals with lifelong sanctuary. At the same time we have been fighting to end the suffering of captive wild animals used for entertainment and profit.

Of course, we could never have come this far without your support!

The late Pat Derby and I knew this when we established PAWS in 1984. If we were to bring about real change for captive wild animals, we could not do it alone.

I truly appreciate each and every one of you. And I want you to know how very important you are to the animals we care for at the sanctuary – and those yet to be rescued from exploitation and abuse.

In 2024, PAWS will work even harder to further our mission of rescue, sanctuary, advocacy, and education. We’re counting on you to be right there alongside us as PAWS begins another vital chapter in our lifesaving work for wild animals.

All of us at PAWS – staff, Board, and volunteers – thanks you and wishes you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Ed Stewart

PAWS Co-founder, President and CEO

Asian bull elephant Nicholas.

PAWS Marks Asian Elephant Nicholas’ 30^th Birthday

Thirty years ago, a circus announced the news of a newborn male Asian elephant. 

PAWS Co-founder, President, and CEO Ed Stewart remembers the event well. At the time, his partner and PAWS co-founder, the late Pat Derby, said: “That baby is going to have a tough life. I wish there was something we could do.” 

Sure enough, the baby elephant was made to walk on a balance beam and ride a tricycle, while wearing a sparkling costume. Not a very dignified life for such a highly intelligent and sensitive animal.

It is common for circuses and traveling shows to chain elephants by their legs for long periods of time, and to train them with a steel-pointed weapon called the bullhook. Training is often most harsh for male elephants. 

Pat’s wish eventually came true. There was something PAWS could finally do to help that same elephant who, of course, is Nicholas. He was by then an adolescent who was essentially “warehoused” and mostly forgotten, and he needed a home. 

Enter Emmy-award winning game show host Bob Barker who funded the cost of a new barn and a large, grassy habitat set amid the rolling hills of the ARK 2000 sanctuary. He also covered all cross-country transportation expenses. 

Nicholas was 13 years old when he arrived at PAWS in April 2007. Chains and bullhooks immediately became a thing of the past. 

Now 30 years old, Nicholas stands 10-1/2 feet tall and weighs 16,000 pounds!

It has been an honor to care for Nicholas for the past 17 years and provide him with a far more natural life – as well as the love and respect he deserves. 

Modesto Junior College Vet Tech Club was one of the classes PAWS hosted as part of our education efforts.

Making a Difference Through Advocacy and Education

PAWS was busy in 2023 advocating on behalf of captive wildlife and educating the public about their plight in captivity. Here are a few examples:

• PAWS launched new social media campaigns to raise awareness of cruel bear cub petting operations and the use of tigers for entertainment in circuses and roadside zoos. They join our campaign exposing the dark side of elephant tourism that has reached hundreds of thousands of people.    

• PAWS leveraged its expertise to weigh in on important federal proposals. We worked with Harvard Law School’s Animal Law and Policy Clinic to jointly submit comments opposing the capture and import of wild African elephants for U.S. zoos. We also collaborated with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance to jointly submit comments urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prohibit public contact with wild animals.

• As part of the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance, PAWS is supporting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in its enforcement of the Big Cat Public Safety Act. Passed in 2022, the Act prohibits the private ownership of big cats and use of cubs for petting and photo ops.

• PAWS hosted college groups from the Modesto Junior College Vet Tech Club and American River College, as part of our innovative outreach program, Wild Animals in Captivity: Exploring the Interface Between Humans and Wildlife. These classes teach students about the natural biology and behavior of tigers, black bears and elephants, and issues surrounding their captivity. 

• PAWS hosted a new graduate from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine who spent a week in an immersive learning experience with PAWS’ veterinarians, with a focus on elephants.

• Our “Year of the Bear” campaign enlightened people about bears’ intelligence, agility, and complex behaviors, and their exploitation in captivity. Bears are often used in circus-like shows, roadside zoos, and cub petting attractions.

A view of PAWS' ARK 2000 sanctuary.

PAWS Advances Animal Care in 2023

This year, PAWS realized a long-time plan to shutter two of our older sanctuaries and bring our animal family together at the 2,300-acre ARK 2000 sanctuary, streamlining animal care. We also extended Asian elephant Nicholas’ habitat to provide even more room for him to roam! 

Celebrating Elephants at PAWS

Toka and Thika have been PAWS residents for 10 years now!

African elephant Toka

African elephant Thika

Lulu: Oldest African elephant in North America

In February, PAWS held a special celebration to recognize African elephant Lulu’s 57th birthday. She was treated to a birthday "cake" made of alfalfa and fruit!

Last Chance to Make Your

2023 Tax-deductible Gift to PAWS!

There is still time to make your year-end, tax-deductible donation for the rescued and retired elephants, tigers, bears, monkeys, and other wild animals we care for at PAWS.

Your generous year-end gift ensures that we start the new year strong, continuing our exceptional care for the animals. This includes wholesome diets, spacious natural habitats, and expert veterinary and daily care.

Make your donation now by clicking on the “Donate” button below.

You can also call the PAWS office by Friday, December 29, to make a contribution using your credit card at 209-745-2606 (Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST).

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!

PAWS Veterinarian Featured in UC Davis Magazine

Congrats to PAWS Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Jackie Gai, who was the focus of a recent “Day in the Life” article in Synergy, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine’s magazine. Dr. Gai is a University of California-Davis graduate who has worked with the wild animals at PAWS for more than 20 years.

“My approach to my practice is to be of service to my patients, many of whom have histories of abuse or neglect,” Dr. Gai explains. “I ask them, how can I help or serve you?”

Dr. Gai embodies PAWS’ approach to making a difference for captive wildlife, whether it’s veterinary attention, daily care, or our advocacy efforts. It’s all about serving the animals and ensuring a better life for them.

Click here to read the entire article.

A Fond Farewell to Special Friends of PAWS



In 2023, PAWS lost two special friends and champions for the animals. We said good-bye to legendary game show host and animal activist Bob Barker, who helped the animals at PAWS in so many ways – using his celebrity to bring attention to captive wildlife causes, underwriting rescue costs, funding the Bob Barker Bear Habitat at ARK 2000, and much more.

Lesser known, but also a force for animals, David Reuben supported PAWS’ education efforts, including the PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference (to be held again in November 2024) and our college outreach program.

We will miss our friends dearly.

A Huge Holiday Thank You!

It is with heartfelt appreciation that we thank:

Our supporters. You provide wild animals in need with a lifetime home, spacious natural surroundings, and loving care. You truly make a difference!

PAWS’ dedicated caregivers and staff. You are the heart of all that we do for the animals. 

Our volunteers. Your dedication to the animals is invaluable. We couldn’t do it without you!

In-kind companies and individual donors. You supply key support for our mission.

The animals we care for at PAWS, and those yet to be rescued. You are our motivation and inspiration. 

Best wishes for the holidays and New Year! 

THANK YOU!

December Amazon Wish List Donors:

Elizabeth Stelow: two bottles of CosequinDS, 132#. Azadeh and Craig Morrison: three bottles of Renal Essentials, 60#. GSF: one 2 lb. bag of sunflower kernels; one 6.5 oz. bag of papaya. Jennifer Gharavi: one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#. John and Debbie Lee: one 1 lb. bag of dried blueberries; one bottle of Cosequin DS, 132#; one 2 lb. bag of sunflower kernels; one 6.5 oz. bag of papaya. Lyne Allen: two 3 lb. bags of Brazil nuts; two 1 lb. bags of dried blueberries; two 2 lb. bags of pecans. Donald L. Manning: three syringes of Probiocin; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#. Patricia D. Adler: one 2 lb. bag of sunflower kernels; one syringe of Probiocin; one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#. Allie Greene: one syringe Probiocin. Sharon Clevesy: one 10.6 lb. bag of Missing Link Equin Skin and Coat. Jennifer Gharavi: one pail of Biotin 100 powder. Francine Taylor: one bottle AminAvast, 60#; one 5 lb. pail Biotin 100. Joyce Bruno: two syringes of Probiocin. Anonymous: one 1lb. bag of blueberries; one 3 lb. bag of Brazil nuts; one 5 lb. bag of cashews.

We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. We have an ongoing need for many of the products listed. Click here to review the items and donate.

RESCUED TIGER ROSEMARY

There are many ways you can help PAWS animals:

Donate. 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. When you make a contribution for the wild animals at PAWS, it is unlike any other. How many people can say they’ve gifted elephants with spacious rolling hills and a more natural life, or made a present of a lush, tree-filled habitat for a tiger? Or given a bear a new chance at life? And you ensure we are prepared for the next wild animal in dire need of rescue. Three ways to give and every donation matters.

Purchase PAWS apparel and merchandise. Clothing for adults, kids, toddlers and infants, as well as other fun merchandise like notecards and coffee mugs - available from our CafePress online gift shop.

PAWS Amazon Wish List. We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. Many items are ongoing. The list is always current! View here, and shop using AmazonSmile.

EBAY Giving Works. Visit PAWS eBay page to view our current listings and to bid. List your 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 or buying!

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