PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY

Thirty-two years of protection, education, advocacy & sanctuary

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

PAWS Marches for Elephants and Rhinos

On September 24, PAWS once again joined the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos in San Francisco, California, to bring attention to the plight of these animals due to poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Hundreds of marchers of all ages made their way from Union Square and through the downtown area, marching to the lively beat of African drums. Traffic passing by the marchers, pedestrians on sidewalks and tourists riding the city's famous trolley cars all reacted enthusiastically as they read the many educational signs and banners expressing support for ending the trade in ivory and rhino horns.

The 4th annual Global March for Elephants and Rhinos was timed to coincide with the start of the CITES (Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species) Conference of Parties in Johannesburg, South Africa, attended by more than 180 countries. This is where important decisions about the trade in ivory and rhino horn are being made. Elephants and rhinos are a focal point of the conference because of the alarming rates of poaching that are decimating these populations. An estimated 30,000 elephants are killed each year in Africa, and more than 1,000 rhinos have been poached annually for the last three years in South Africa.

The march ended with a rally at Union Square, where PAWS' director of science, research and advocacy, Catherine Doyle, gave a rousing speech, urging marchers to maintain the momentum and spirit created by the San Francisco event, and the more than 145 other marches that took place around the world. She also reminded the advocates that we must fight to protect wild and exotic animals, both in their native lands and in captivity.

PAWS thanks all of the marchers who came out in support of wild elephants and rhinos, including PAWS' supporters and volunteers, and board member Debbie Morrow. We commend San Francisco march organizers, March for Elephants, for a truly inspiring event. Watch the video below.

San Francisco: 2016 March for Elephants & Rhinos

Above: Alexander is a black leopard living at PAWS' ARK 2000 sanctuary.

PAWS' Animal Habitats Designed

to Encourage Natural Behaviors

Every animal living at a PAWS sanctuary receives expert care tailored specifically to the individual's needs and preferences. This comprehensive approach to animal care incorporates a broad spectrum of factors intended to promote physical and emotional health and overall well-being. Habitats at PAWS' 2,300-acre ARK 2000 sanctuary are thoughtfully designed and constructed to give animals room to roam and include elements that encourage them to express their natural instincts like digging, climbing, swimming, and foraging for food.


	Alexander contemplates jumping onto his new ramp and perch.

Wild leopards will often climb trees to find a safe place to rest and when not in trees they are experts at hiding in tall grass where they stalk their prey. Though PAWS' black leopard Alexander was born in captivity, like most captive wild animals he is genetically hard-wired with the instincts of a wild leopard. Alexander's habitat at ARK 2000 includes a majestic oak and many pine trees, but one of his favorite places to spend his days is resting high up on a specially-designed platform where he can watch birds and observe all of the activities of the sanctuary.

When Alexander moved into his new habitat at ARK 2000 in 2013, he explored every inch of it and seemed especially excited about a tall platform with big logs leaning against it. From atop this elevated perch, he can alternate between taking comfortable naps and gazing at the world below. When watchful keepers noticed that an area of the platform was beginning to wear down and needed replacement, they put the word out and PAWS volunteer Joey Harvey stepped up to make repairs and build a beautiful new ramp for Alexander. Joey has generously given his time and talents over the past several years to construct a number of elevated wooden platforms for PAWS' lions and tigers, which the animals truly enjoy.

Confiscated from a private home in Texas after injuring a child, Alexander was 11 months old when he arrived at PAWS' Galt sanctuary in 1998. He lived in Galt for 13 years, and although he was comfortable, it was the dream of PAWS' co-founder, the late Pat Derby, to give Alex a special place to live: a much larger, tree-filled habitat that he could explore and enjoy. Pat's dream was made possible by an incredibly generous donor, and in 2013 Alexander moved from Galt to his new home at ARK 2000. Click here to watch the video of his move.

PAWS is forever grateful for the support of our donors and volunteers, whose dedication to the animals greatly enhances the quality of care that we strive to provide. Heartfelt thanks to Audrey Steele Burnand and family for donating the funds to build Alexander's habitat, and to Joey Harvey for building the new ramp for Alexander.

Above: A full-out sprint!

Click here to adopt Alexander.

Adopting a PAWS animal helps us provide nutritious food, veterinary care and enriching habitats for the animals. Read more about our adoption program,

and learn more about PAWS' other animals by clicking here.

Less Than Two Months Until the PAWS

International Captive Wildlife Conference

Registration Closes October 31st!

The PAWS 2016 International Captive Wildlife Conference, taking place in San Andreas, California, on November 11-12, features an exciting roster of speakers addressing the confinement and use of exotic and wild animals - with a focus on elephants, bears and big cats, and a special look at "next wave" sanctuaries for elephants, orcas and nonhuman primates.

The conference will be followed by an optional visit to the beautiful, 2,300-acre, natural habitat ARK 2000 sanctuary on November 13, led by PAWS President Ed Stewart. ARK 2000 is home to elephants, lion, black leopard, tigers and bears.

Space is strictly limited and filling up quickly. So register today!

Conference speakers represent a range of organizations and expertise:

Sanctuaries: Big Cat Rescue, FOUR Paws International, Global Sanctuary for Elephants, Lions, Tigers and Bears, Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Project Chimps, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, The Whale Sanctuary Project

Scientific Research: Dr. Keith Lindsay, conservation biologist, environmental consultant and collaborating researcher for the Amboseli Elephant Research Project (Kenya); Dr. Bob Jacobs, featured in Nat Geo Wild's Mind of a Giant; Jamie Sherman, U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Animal Law: Animal Legal Defense Fund, PETA Foundation

Zoos: Alaska Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Oakland Zoo

Animal Welfare, Policy and Conservation Organizations: Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, International Fund for Animal Welfare, The Humane Society of the United States, The Paw Project, Tigers in America, Zoocheck

PAWS has been presenting outstanding conferences since 1992, attracting speakers and attendees from around the world. Our aim is to educate, stimulate critical discussion, and promote action to protect and improve the welfare of captive wildlife.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

or to view conference program, list of speakers

and travel/lodging information.

Please check out our Facebook event page, where you can connect with other attendees, arrange to share a rental car, and more!

Good News for Animals

California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law historic legislation to prohibit the breeding and theatrical performance of captive orcas. The law also prevents their export out of North America, consistent with federal law. Assemblymember Richard Bloom sponsored the bill. San Diego, California-based SeaWorld had announced in March that it would cease breeding orcas and using them in performances. The new law guarantees the eventual end to the captivity of orcas at SeaWorld San Diego.

Kudos to Jersey City, New Jersey, for adopting an ordinance that prohibits the use of certain exotic animals in performances, including circuses, fairs, petting zoos and carnivals. The law appears to be the first in New Jersey that forbids wild animal performances on private property.

Norway will no longer allow the use of elephants in circuses, starting January 1, 2017. Congratulations to the Norwegian animal rights group, NOAH, which worked for 25 years to pass the law, and to our friends at ElephantVoices, who provided government authorities with science-based arguments for almost 10 years.

A BIG Thank You!

September Amazon Wish List Donors

Pamela Armstrong: one bag Greenies pill pockets. Dawn Brooks: one 10 lb. tub of Psyllium. Patricia Plaster: five boxes of heavy duty trash bags. Glenn Hunt: two Probiocin pet gel. Lynn Morgenstern: one 20 lb. tub of Psyllium. Patricia L. Connelly: one 30 lb. bag of Blue Buffalo. Merry Writer: one Probiocin pet gel. Joyce E. Hodel: one bag Missing Link Ultimate Equine Skin & Coat, one bag Greenies pill pockets, one 49-pk AA batteries, one bottle CosequinDS 132#, one case Hammermill copy paper. Peggy Buckner: two quarts Red Cell, one 5 lb. tub of Psyllium. Pamela Moucha: one bottle Wheat Germ Oil, one 5 lb. tub of Psyllium, one Probiocin pet gel. Maurice D. Enders: two Probiocin pet gel. Carol Haft: one Purell hand sanitizer, one quart Red Cell, one bag Greenies pill pockets, one box heavy duty garbage bags, one 48-pk AA batteries. Anonymous Donors: three quarts Red Cell, two gallons Red Cell, two scoop shovels.

VIEW OUR AMAZON WISH LIST

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! Learn more PAWS Amazon Wish List View here 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. 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 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. Learn more 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. 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 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