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A Message From Pat Derby
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
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 PAWS has received 4 STARS from Charity Navigator.
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 Winston
ARK 2000 Bear Habitat Nears Completion
Galt Bears Ready For Big Move!
Visitors to this year's Elephant Grape Stomp (An Afternoon In TUSKany), on October 16, are in for a special treat. This event will be the first occasion for the public to view the ADI-rescued Bolivian lions, Sheba, after her move to ARK 2000, AND we are currently on schedule for bears Winston, Boo Boo, Arthur, Jack, Cindy, Oma, Sampson and Cinnamon to move to their new ARK 2000 habitat by early next month. (A new video showing the progress of the bear habitat is available for viewing below.)
The new bear habitat will allow all eight PAWS black bears to retire in luxury in this huge forested habitat. The habitat is a gift from Bob Barker's DJ&T Foundation. The transportation for the bears' move from the Galt sanctuary to ARK 2000 is a gift from the Thorton and Katrina Glide Foundation.
We are so grateful for the support of all of our donors and to Bob Barker for helping us provide the retirement that every captive animal deserves.
We look forward to seeing you at this year's Elephant Grape Stomp. For more information, or to make your pre-paid reservations, call (209) 745-2606.
NEW VIDEOS!
Take a tour of the bears' new habitat by clicking here.
Click here to watch Jack the bear bob for apples.
Cindy the bear munches on her favorite treat, and then drifts off to sleep. View here.
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Adopt A PAWS Bear!
If you would like to help Boo Boo (pictured, right), or one of our other bears, consider becoming an "adoptive parent," or giving a PAWS adoption as a gift to an animal lover in your life. PAWS adoptions are symbolic adoptions only. No animal will be sent! The money from your adoption helps us provide nutritious food, veterinary care and enriching habitats, and you'll have the satisfaction that comes from knowing you're making a difference in the life of a PAWS bear. Adoptive parents will receive a biography of their adopted bear, a certificate of adoption and a color photograph, two guest passes to one regular PAWS open house, either in Galt or San Andreas (special events are not included), periodic mailings and invitations to special events, and the PAWS E-News if the adoptive parent's email address is provided. Adoptive parents can opt out of emails at any time. We will never sell or share email addresses.
To adopt a PAWS bear, click here. |
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