Today, Prince (view video above) traverses his spectacular enclosure grazing on grass to his heart’s content. He loves water, and his favorite pastime is swimming and splashing in his pools where he can completely submerge, often followed by a leisurely nap on the hillside. He also has 24/7 access to his barn should he want to sleep indoors on a soft pile of fresh dirt.

Prince welcomes his interactions with Brian and with PAWS Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Jackie Gai, who counts Prince among her favorite animals at the sanctuary. Prince voluntarily, and eagerly, engages in his protected contact training sessions and care. He communicates with his caregivers through friendly, and very endearing, “chirps.”

In honor of this milestone anniversary and a very special elephant, please consider making a donation or “adopting” Prince for one year.

In a recent New York Times opinion piece, “The Case Against Zoos” (June 11, 2021), environmental writer and author Emma Marris took on the zoo establishment in a big way. The article preceded her just released book, “Wild Souls” which has a chapter focused on zoos.

One of many issues Marris investigated is the conservation claim made by zoos. She points out that Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facilities spent nearly five billion dollars in 2018 alone on operations and construction – and barely one-twentieth of that amount on conservation projects. Although the AZA says its members are involved in more than 50 reintroduction programs for threatened or endangered species, Marris found that the vast majority of animals in zoos “will spend their entire lives in captivity, either dying of old age after a lifetime of display or by being culled as ‘surplus.’” The exceptions to this are few.

We couldn’t agree more. At PAWS we are striving to provide the best life possible for wild animals already in captivity who have no other option. We work to give them more choice in their lives and the ability to engage in more natural behaviors, in a peaceful, natural environment. That is the very least we can do for them.

One of PAWS' oldest and most beloved sanctuary residents has passed away at the age of 28. Winston was an American black bear who was born in 1993 at a captive breeding compound in Ohio. Once identified only as "Bear #1530", Winston was kept illegally as a "pet" in North Carolina until local officials confiscated him. Although still young, he was confined with older, more aggressive bears and suffered a severe bite wound to his hip. When PAWS' co-founders Pat Derby and Ed Stewart learned of his predicament, they wholeheartedly offered him a permanent home. Winston was treated for the injury and transferred to our Galt sanctuary in 1995. He arrived limping and in poor condition.

Winston became best friend and lifelong companion to Boo Boo, another young black bear living with us at the time. The two bears had much in common, having both been bred for the exotic "pet" trade. In nature they would have remained with their protective mothers for at least a year and a half, learning essential survival skills. Instead they were taken from their mothers prematurely, sentenced to live in miserably inadequate conditions that affected both their mental and physical health in their early lives.

Winston and Boo Boo lived in Galt for many years, until PAWS' longtime friend and supporter, the legendary animal hero Bob Barker, made it possible for us to build a much larger bear habitat at ARK 2000. All of the bear enclosures are filled with soft soil, native grasses and shady oak trees, and all have pools and cozy dens. In December 2010, Winston and Boo Boo were moved from Galt to their spacious new home in the Bob Barker Bear Habitat. Here the two friends could roam their own piece of the wild California Sierra foothills, foraging for acorns, and enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds of nature.

Caring for Winston was a memorable experience that made his caregivers smile. Galt sanctuary supervisor Larry fondly remembers Winston's ear-to-ear grin, occasional clownish antics, and impish sense of humor. Caregiver Al remembers Winston as "easy going and laid back", admiring his patience and adaptability to the physical challenges of growing older. Caregiver Lizzie thought of him as a "real life Winnie the Pooh", because of his happy nature and his love of honey and sweet treats. Supervisor Renae remembers him as a bear who always had a smile on his face, as well as berry juice and avocado smeared on his lips (his favorite foods). Simply put, Winston was loved and adored by all who knew him.

Winston passed from this life on July 15th, surrounded by many who loved him dearly. His eternal optimism, beaming smile, and patience will always be remembered. We will miss him tremendously.

PAWS’ move to solar energy saves money – nearly $1.5 million over 25 years – so even more of your donations go directly to animal care and rescue, while helping to protect the environment. PAWS is indebted to longtime friend and donor, the late Audrey Steele Burnand, for funding installation of the solar power system. We are proud to be helping protect animals and the planet!

and the Big Cat Pet Trade

Big cats need your help! Please support the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act (H.R.263/S.1210) that would ban the private ownership of big cats such as lions and tigers and restrict public contact with these animals. the bill would end inhumane cub petting operations, where both babies and their mothers suffer, and stop the endless breeding of big cats for profit.

PAWS cares for tigers rescued from the exotic “pet” trade and defunct cub petting facilities – including Kim, Claire, Bigelow, Morris, Nimmo, Rosemary, Sawyer and Wilhelm. We need your help to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act and ensure that big cats no longer harmed for entertainment and profit.

Click here for more information and to see what you can do to help.

Did you know that PAWS has an Amazon Wish List? 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. You can also review “wish list” items that are needed but not listed on Amazon. Click here for that list.

Christine Casner: one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#. Sue Lynch: one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one 32 oz. EicosaDerm; one 5 lb. bag of Missing Link Skin & Coat; one Probiocin; one box of gloves. Beverly Archer: $50 Amazon Giftcard. Kelly Nolan: one Gatorade. H. Merolta: one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#; one bottle of AminAvast, 60#. Leona Heraty: one Gatorade. Laura Hill and all the Hills' cats and dogs: one DeWalt drill; one DeWalt circular saw. Barbara Reinhold: one package of vanilla beans; one box Newton fig chews; one lb. bag of pumpkin seeds. Anonymous Donors: seven bottles 32 oz. EicosaDerm; four containers of Gatorade; one Probiocin; one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#.