Thanksgiving Wishes From PAWS
During this season of Thanksgiving,
we send our heartfelt thanks to each of you, our PAWS 
friends, donors, partners, adoptive parents, volunteers and vendors.
We are eternally grateful to each of you for making our work possible.
Warm wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.
 
Ed Stewart
PAWS Management & Staff
 


Pumpkins are a special treat for many of the PAWS' animals at this time of year.
This is Jack, with what's left of his. Rain didn't seem to dampen his enthusiasm. 

Notes from the Field: Rainy Days at PAWS

By Catherine Doyle
PAWS Director of Science, Research and Advocacy
 
In September 2013, I began a long-term behavioral study involving our African elephants, Mara, Maggie and Lulu. The study now includes Thika and Toka. Each day that I study the elephants I focus on one particular elephant and follow her for five to six hours, observing and recording her activities, including the changes in behavior that come with different seasons.
 
November has brought cooler weather and some very welcome rain to the ARK 2000 sanctuary. Many of the trees are showing beautiful fall colors. During my last round of

African elephant Mara
browsing on a hillside the day after a heavy Fall rain.
observations we had some wonderful, rainy days and temperatures in the low 50s. As soon we get any rain, patches of bright green grass begin to sprout. The elephants know exactly where these patches are, and they use their powerful yet agile trunks to nimbly pick at the small, tender blades.
 
I was especially interested in watching how the elephants behaved in the rain. The short answer is: They love it! All of the elephants - Thika, Toka, Mara, Maggie and Lulu - were more active than usual as they ventured out into the far reaches of their expansive habitats. They made their way up and down and over the sanctuary's gently rolling hills, foraging on vegetation, trees and deadfall (a tangled pile of dead tree branches). Mara was particularly frisky one day, and had a great time kicking and splashing in a mud hole, coating herself with the wet soil that is a protective for elephants' skin.
 
While driving out of the sanctuary one rainy afternoon, I spotted Ben the Bear foraging in his area of the Bob Barker Bear Habitat. It's wonderful to see our bears enjoying this natural behavior that so many bears in captivity are often deprived of. Watching Ben got me to wondering how the other animals at ARK 2000 behave in the rain. I wasn't sure that everyone would be as enthusiastic about it as the elephants, so I asked Renae Smith, PAWS' big cat and bear supervisor, about the behaviors she observed on wet days. What I learned is that it's a matter of individual preference and temperature for those animals.
 
During the warmer months, the bears and the big cats don't seem to mind the rain, and they can be found out in their habitats as usual. If it gets cold (well, cold by California standards) and rains, the bears prefer to

On cold, rainy days Alexander
prefers to remain in his den.
On sunny days he loves
to roll in the grass.
stay warm and dry in their cozy dens, though you might find Ben and Jack foraging in their habitats. Black leopard Alexander prefers his nice, dry den to the rain, while lioness Camba doesn't seem to mind getting wet at all. The tigers are a bit more particular when it comes to rain. Out in their habitat, they will find trees to lie under and stay dry, but when it comes time to sleep they will seek out shelter in a den. If it's raining very hard, they prefer the comfort of their dens.
 
As for me, I try to stay as dry as I can. It all depends on the activities of the elephants and where they choose to be in their habitat. When they're moving around and busy, so am I, as I track them throughout the day from a distance.
 
While watching the elephants and other animals, I am reminded of just how thankful I am that PAWS exists for them, providing a natural habitat in which they can choose how and where to spend their time, engaging in behaviors that are not only natural to their species, but important to them and their well-being. All of us at PAWS are grateful to each and every one of you who support our animals and the work we do to ensure their health and welfare. 

Don't Forget PAWS on #GivingTuesday!
 
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, December 1st, is #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. For Giving Tuesday, PAWS is seeking to raise enough money to purchase two very much needed used trucks. This is a great way to help the animals directly, as trucks are key to the smooth operation of the 2300-acre ARK 2000 sanctuary and the care of our animals.
 
Our trucks put on miles quickly! They are used to pick up food for the animals offsite, and to deliver food on-site to our tigers, African lion, bears, black leopard and elephants. Our animal caretakers may haul hay to distribute to the elephants, and it's a common sight to see a truck going by brimming with fresh, green browse for them. We also use the trucks for maintenance around the property.
 
So please remember PAWS on Giving Tuesday! Giving begins at 12:01 a.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m. Our goal is to raise $20,000 in 24 hours.
 


From left to right: Firefighters Lily Paloma, Dawna Aguilar, Matt Stevens;
Engineer Adam Knight; Firefighter Kelsie Scott; and Captain Dean Wimberly.


Thanks to Cal Fire, Thanksgiving Came
Early for the Elephants at ARK 2000!
 
PAWS would like to thank our friends at Cal Fire for delivering a truckload of tasty mulberry branches for the elephants. Every year Cal Fire donates the branches, which come from the huge trees near the station. This year, when we were unable to pick up the branches, Cal Fire didn't want to let the elephants down so they gladly delivered the branches, arriving at ARK 2000 in two fire trucks and a truck!

We are so appreciative of Cal Fire for all that they do for the elephants - and our community. Thank you.


Willie enjoyed time to himself, away from the other tigers,
and loved to take naps while sprawled out on the grass.

PAWS Says Goodbye to Willie

Willie was one of 39 tigers rescued from horrific conditions in a roadside zoo in southern California in 2004. The now defunct facility was a hell on earth for the many exotic cats and other animals that lived and died there. When the California Department of Fish and Game finally closed the compound and confiscated the animals, there were over 90 dead tigers discovered on the property as well as numerous animals that were injured, sick, and starving. PAWS' 2004 rescue of 39 tigers remains the largest single rescue operation of big cats in the U.S. to date. This rescue forever changed our work at PAWS, as many of the tigers arrived with health problems after so many years of neglect and abuse.
 
Willie arrived at PAWS as a battle-scarred, fully grown, mature adult tiger. As no medical records had been kept by the roadside zoo, his exact age and health status was unknown. He bore the scars of many a fight; no doubt forced to compete with the other tigers for food. Willie's right eye was scratched during one such fight, and he had a distinctive look because of it. Tiger Supervisor Renae recalls him as one of the "biggest and toughest" tigers of the group, and one who enjoyed time to himself away from other tigers, with the exception of his good friend, and fellow Colton tiger, Hammer.
 
Willie quickly settled in at PAWS' spacious ARK 2000 sanctuary, enjoying the pleasures of a nutritious diet, attentive care, and the freedom to just be a tiger in his

Willie in his den, playing
with a pumpkin.
very own large, grassy habitat. Willie could scratch on a tree, or take a nap sprawled out in the tall grass. He enjoyed a good soak and delighted in being misted with cool water on hot summer days. He especially loved pumpkins, which are provided as treats to play with in the Fall.
 
Willie was well-loved by PAWS' dedicated animal keeper staff and he always "chuffed" a greeting when they approached. Supervisor Renae remembers his chuff as "especially deep and beautiful." Earlier this year, keepers noticed that he was drinking more water than usual, and he was losing weight - signs of kidney disease, an all-too-common malady of older cats, both wild and domestic. PAWS veterinary staff performed diagnostic tests, and after a thorough physical examination confirmed chronic kidney disease. Medications to support kidney function were carefully hidden in his favorite foods, and keepers provided extra monitoring and specialized care.
 
Willie responded well to the medications and extra care, and seemed to have a new lease on life. He certainly relished the warm, sunny days of summer and was often stretched out in the grass, completely relaxed if not sound asleep. In early November, Willie's condition suddenly began to decline. When it was clear that medications were no longer helping, the difficult but most compassionate decision was made to euthanize him.

On Wednesday, November 18th, Willie passed from this life surrounded by the love of keepers who had taken such excellent care of him. Willie's estimated age was at least 19 years old. We will miss his regal presence, his greetings, and his great strength of character - having survived extraordinary adversity with grace and dignity.


"39 Tigers"

"39 Tigers", a documentary by William Nimmo,
founder of Tigers in America, tells the story of the Colton tiger rescue.
Click on the arrow above to view. 


Your donation will help us care for the many Colton tigers
who live at PAWS, all of whom are in their "golden years"
and receive special diets, medications, supplements, and care.


Alexander, a black leopard, lives at PAWS' ARK 2000 sanctuary.

December 12
ARK 2000 Holiday Open House
 
Tickets are still available for our ARK 2000 Holiday Open House to be held on Saturday, December 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for seniors (60 and over) and $25 for children age 12 and under. Tickets must be purchased in advance - we do not sell tickets at the gate on the day of the event.
 
Two ways to purchase: Click here 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. Online ticket sales close on Thursday, December 10, 2015.
 

A BIG Thank You!


PAWS thanks friends Lynda and Richard Kerr, pictured here with PAWS President Ed Stewart (left), for their donation of a truckload of pumpkins for the animals.

November Amazon Wish List Donors
 
Elizabeth A Weaver: one bottle of Azodyl 90#, one 5 lb. tub of Psyllium. Patricia L. Connelly: one 5 lb. bag of Missing Link Ultimate Equine Skin & Coat, one office printer, one 30 lb. bag of Blue Buffalo. Darylan Stratten: one bottle of Azodyl 90#. Michele Smith: one bottle Azodyl 90#, one bottle AminAvast 60#. Kathy Lonergan: one 10 lb. case of unsalted peanuts. Tracy Fox: 5 lbs. Psyllium. Kristin Allen: 10 lbs. Psyllium, one pop-up tent. William K. Muraoka: one 10 lb. case of unsalted peanuts, 5 lb. Psyllium, 10 lbs. Psyllium, one 5 lb. bag Missing Link Equine Skin and Coat, one 10 lb. bag of Missing Link Equine Skin and Coat, one 30 lb. bag of Blue Buffalo. Kathleen Lonergan: one bag of Missing Link Ultimate Equine Skin and Coat. Anonymous Donors: one 40 lb. case of oranges, one 5 lb. tub of Psyllium, one 20 lb. tub of Psyllium, one 5 lb. bag of Missing Link Ultimate Equine Skin and Coat, three bottles AminAvast 60#, one quart of Red Cell, one gallon Red Cell, one cordless/battery operated pole saw/tree limb trimmer, 5 lb. Buggzo, one box of gloves, one case of copy paper, one 30 lb. bag of Blue Buffalo.
 
View wish list items that are needed,
but not listed on the Amazon list, here.
There are many ways you can help PAWS animals:
 
 
 
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!
  
PAWS Amazon Wish List

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.

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.

FOR EVERYONE WHO SHOPS ONLINE!
Shop through IGIVE and raise money for PAWS!
Up to 26% of your purchase - at more than 1,600 retailers - can be donated to PAWS.
  
  
PAWS is rated
a 4-Star Charity 
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. New items include tiger notecards, bear notecards and elephant mugs!

Estates/Planned Giving
You can help us make sure captive wildlife in need of shelter will always have a PAWS sanctuary to call home!
 
Donate To PAWS
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

PAWS Merchandise Makes Great Holiday Gifts
for the Animal Lovers on Your List!
PAWS' Note Cards
Bears, Tigers, Elephants
Dozens of different designs are now available in our gift shop; more added every week.
$24.99 for a set of 10 + tax + worldwide shipping

More items, more designs, more fun - all to benefit the animals at PAWS!
Logo clothing available in adult, children, toddler and infant sizes.


"Seeing the Elephant" Weekend Getaways | PAWS Animal Adoptions
Both available for gift purchases.
  
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PO Box 849
Galt, CA 95632
(209) 745-2606