PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY

Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.

Since 1984

Newsletter | April 2026

Celebrating Cleo’s Two-Year Anniversary!

At PAWS, every anniversary marks something powerful: a second chance, a new beginning.

It’s hard to believe it’s already been two years since Cleo arrived at PAWS. Just 10 months old at the time – and already having endured so much – she quickly captured our hearts.

Cleo was seized from a sham “sanctuary”, where she was suffering from severe Metabolic Bone Disease – an agonizing result of poor nutrition that left her with multiple fractures and bone deformities.

Unable to even walk, Cleo first received critical treatment at the Oakland Zoo, where she spent seven weeks stabilizing before coming to PAWS on April 8, 2024.

Thanks to the skill and dedication of our veterinary and caregiving teams, Cleo has made an extraordinary recovery. Today, she is a strong, muscular young tiger – playful, curious, and full of energy.

You’ll often find Cleo splashing in her pool or pouncing on her sturdy enrichment “toys”, made to withstand a tiger’s strength. A sociable tiger, she greets her caregivers with warm, friendly tiger “chuffs” – a sound that says she feels safe, secure, and right at home.

Cleo’s journey is a testament to what compassionate, expert care can make possible – and the remarkable strength and spirit of this determined young tiger.

Celebrate Cleo’s anniversary with a donation to PAWS today!

Big Day of Giving: Early Giving Has Already Begun!

The Big Day of Giving starts on May 7, but you can make an early gift now – and double your impact for the animals at PAWS.

Our goal is to raise $80,000 to care for the elephants, tigers, bears, monkeys, and other wild animals who have been rescued or retired from circuses, zoos, and the exotic pet trade – and now call PAWS their permanent home.

Double Your Gift: Thanks to generous supporters, every donation will be matched dollar for dollar up to $41,190!

Providing lifelong sanctuary is an ongoing commitment. It takes about $800,000 each year to maintain spacious habitats, provide nutritious diets, and ensure expert daily and veterinary care.

Give now. Double your impact! And help us give captive wild animals the best lives we can.

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Click “Donate Now” below, or call 209-745-2606 (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm PST) to give by phone. Be sure to mention your donation is for Big Day of Giving.

Thank you!

PAWS thanks these special friends for their matching gifts:

Margo Duckett, USAF NC (ret) $5,000, James Hammersley (In loving memory of Susan Hammersley) $5,000, Peter & Shelley Zwick $1,500, Lisa Ching $2,730, Wendy Dallas $700, Eric and Melissa Kurtzman Family Foundation $18,000, Rick and Michele Palmer Relief Trust $2,500, and two donors who wish to remain anonymous.

Remembering Bigelow, a Very Special Tiger

PAWS is mourning the passing of Bigelow, a resilient tiger and true survivor who left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

Bigelow was born at a roadside zoo in Colorado that bred wild animals and exploited their cubs for photo and play sessions. When the facility shut down in 2017, more than 100 animals urgently needed placement. PAWS' co-founder and board president, Ed Stewart, and veterinarian Dr. Jackie Gai traveled to Colorado to meet the eight tigers who would soon call PAWS home.

When the tigers arrived, Bigelow stood out because he remained so distant. He wanted nothing to do with people – never aggressive, just deeply reserved. He avoided attracting attention, often stopping whatever he was doing if he sensed people nearby.

PAWS' Carnivore Supervisor Renae Smith recalls the patience and care it took to help Bigelow feel secure and comfortable. Enrichment played a role – especially scent-based items.

One day, caregivers sprinkled nutmeg in his habitat and heard unexpected sounds. Approaching carefully, they found Bigelow blissfully drooling and rolling on his back in the nutmeg. From then on, nutmeg and cinnamon became his favorite scents. 

With time, Bigelow became more comfortable and trusting. He began greeting his caregivers with soft "chuffs" and rubbing along the fence to say hello. He seemed to enjoy his interactions with caregivers, gradually revealing the gentle, curious tiger beneath the guarded exterior. 

Bigelow was an eager participant in his own care – and a quick learner – becoming the first tiger at PAWS trained for voluntary vaccinations and blood collection from his tail.

In the quiet of the sanctuary, Bigelow often napped in the soft grass of his large enclosure or lounged beneath a shady oak tree. He loved water and would swim and splash in his large pool.

In early March, caregivers noticed changes. Bigelow was drinking more water than usual, and his appetite declined.

Bloodwork confirmed that his kidneys were failing. PAWS veterinarians and caregivers have expertise in caring for affected individuals – but despite dedicated treatment with medications and supplements, and a brief period of improvement, his condition worsened.

Chronic kidney disease is a common but irreversible cause of illness and death in captive big cats. When it became clear that Bigelow was no longer responding to care, the difficult but most compassionate decision was made to perform humane euthanasia.

Bigelow passed from this life on March 31, surrounded by many who loved him dearly. He will forever be remembered for having the sweetest chuff, beautiful amber eyes, and a joyful love of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Thank you, "Biggie", for opening up and trusting us – it was an honor to care for you.

American River College

PAWS Hosts College Students for Special Captive Wildlife Program

This month, PAWS welcomed students from American River College in Sacramento, California, for an immersive education program, Wild Animals in Captivity: Exploring the Interface Between Humans and Wildlife. 

Through this program. professors bring their classes to the sanctuary for a deeper understanding of the natural biology and behavior of tigers, black bears, and elephants – alongside an honest look at the realities and ethical challenges of captivity.

Guided through the sanctuary, students learn about the animals’ individual stories, and engage in thoughtful discussion about how captivity shapes human perception of wildlife, in captivity and in the wild.

To learn how your college class can participate in Wild Animals in Captivity: Exploring the Interface Between Humans and Wildlife, please contact Catherine Doyle at cdoyle@pawsweb.org. 

Save the Date: PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference

The PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference – the only biennial gathering to openly examine the realities of wild animals in captivity – will take place in Sacramento, California, October 2-3, with an optional trip to the PAWS sanctuary on October 4.

We’ll soon announce a dynamic lineup of speakers and experts from around the world. One day will be dedicated to elephants, with additional sessions exploring big cats, cetaceans, animal rescues, and emerging issues shaping the future of captive wildlife.

Whether you’re an advocate, educator, policymaker, caregiver, or simply passionate about animals, this is a rare opportunity to learn, connect, and be a part of the conversation.

A limited number of student sponsorships are available. Registration to open in June.

Please contact Catherine Doyle at cdoyle@pawsweb.org with any questions, to become a conference sponsor, or to apply for a student scholarship.

Did you know that you can help the animals at PAWS with just a few clicks?

Our Amazon Wish List includes items we use every day at the sanctuary, such as health supplements, food, batteries, and other essentials. 

By purchasing directly from the list, you support PAWS and help give the animals the best care possible.

Click here to see needed items and make your purchase!

Thank You to Our April Amazon Wish List Donors:

Kathy Turner: two packs of N95 Face Masks, 20pk. Debbie Larkin: two bottles of Emcelle Tocopherol, 1000ml. Dawn Danko: four bags of Blueberries, 1lb. Nancy Gordon: one pack of N95 Face Masks, 20pk; one bottle of Kidney Health, 60#; one pack of AA Batteries, 48ct. Jonna Lanigan: two bottles of Health Heart, 60#. Nelson Hay: Wheat/Hay delivery. Maureen: one bottle of Emcelle Tocopherol, 1000ml. Evelin Pekin: one bottle of Sore No More Liniment. Linda Boitano: one bottle of Kidney Health, 60#. Anonymous: one bottle of Cosequin DS, 132#; two bottles of AminAvast, 60#; one bottle of Kidney Health, 60#.

RESCUED TIGER FALCOR

PAWS provides lifetime care to the tigers, bears, elephants, and other animals who call our sanctuary home. Your kind support provides expert daily care, necessary veterinary treatments, and specialized nutritional support, all tailored to the individual needs of each animal. Your gifts make this excellent care possible.

There are many ways you can help PAWS animals:

Donate. Although we work closely with regulatory agencies on animal rescues, PAWS receives no government funding and must rely on your donations to continue our work. When you make a contribution for the wild animals at PAWS, it is unlike any other. How many people can say they’ve gifted elephants with spacious rolling hills and a more natural life, or made a present of a lush, tree-filled habitat for a tiger? Or given a bear a new chance at life? And you ensure we are prepared for the next wild animal in dire need of rescue. Three ways to give and every donation matters.

PAWS is proud of its 4-star rating with Charity Navigator - the highest rating possible. We are part of an elite group of charities with an "exceptional" designation (at least four consecutive years of 4-star ratings), meaning that your gift will have the greatest impact possible. CharityWatch gives PAWS an "A" rating.

Give to one of PAWS' ongoing MightyCause campaigns: Our "Dollars for Dirt" or "Give BIG for PAWS' Elephants" fundraisers for the elephants, like Prince (pictured), or our "Help Captive Tigers" fundraiser to benefit the rescued tigers living at our ARK 2000 sanctuary.

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. We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. Many items are ongoing. The list is always current! View here.

EBAY Giving Works. Visit PAWS eBay page to view our current listings and to bid. List your 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 or buying!