Dear friends,

Ed Stewart and I have been together for almost 35 years, sharing our vision of a better world for all captive wildlife and battling through the worst of situations to rescue and shelter individual bears, lions, elephants, tigers and little monkeys from the horrors of performance.

Our small 30-acre sanctuary in Galt, California, began with a few animals and grew until we found our 2,300 acre paradise, ARK 2000.

Ed and I have faced many challenges in the years that we have struggled to rescue and shelter the animals and to educate the public about the deprived lives of captive wildlife, and we have loved every day that we have been privileged to work together and share the adventure of PAWS.

Many of our supporters have donated and volunteered for most of our 26 years, some of our staff have been with us since the first days in Galt when our baby elephant, 71, arrived. Many of you have just joined us in our campaigns, but you have always been passionate about PAWS and the animals, and we are very grateful for your support.

Ed and I are facing a great personal challenge at this time that does not affect PAWS. I have been diagnosed with cancer and am currently undergoing treatment with a very positive prognosis.

We deliberated about announcing this as it does not affect the animals or PAWS, but we felt you should know because you have helped us so often in the past with your love and support.

Ed, as always, is caring for the animals and also me. We know we share the same suffering and problems of millions of cancer victims all over the world, and we will, as they are, fight the battle and survive.

Thank you for your love and support.

 
PAT DERBY 
President and Founder