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PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.
Since 1984
| | Newsletter | January 2026 | | Updates on PAWS’ Newest Residents | | |
What better way to start the year than by updating you on our newest sanctuary residents? These animals arrived at PAWS last year from two different facilities after authorities seized them following investigations into neglect and poor welfare.
As they have settled into safe and peaceful lives at PAWS, their unique personalities have begun to shine. Here are some glimpses into what makes these animals special:
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Mountain Lion Casey
With her outgoing personality, Casey has endeared herself to everyone at PAWS. Highly communicative, she greets her caregivers with a range of vocalizations and a warm, rumbling purr (unlike tigers and lions, mountain lions can purr). Casey likes to mischievously sneak up on caregivers from within her spacious enclosure to try and surprise them.
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Black Bear Dally
Dally has decided that the winter months are not her thing at all. She prefers to spend rainy days in the shelter of her cozy den, emerging when the sun comes out to soak up some rays. Her favorite treat is yogurt.
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Tiger Meg
Meg is housed next to tiger Nimmo, and she enjoys engaging him in playful interactions. The two can also be seen quietly resting near one another along their fence lines. Meg is always excited when her caregivers arrive, greeting them enthusiastically.
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Lion Pasha
Pasha has become more vocal, sharing his deep, resonant roars – called “caroling” – usually heard at dawn and dusk. Lion caroling is so powerful, it can be heard up to five miles away. When Pasha is excited, he gets the “zoomies”, playfully darting around his habitat with lots of energy!
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Bobcat Archer
Archer is another cat who enjoys communicating with his caregivers. When he’s content, he unleashes a deep purr, and if caregivers are too far away, he will call them back to him. Archer’s habitat sits next to bobcat Rumi’s, and he often spends time quietly observing her activities with keen interest.
| | Thanks to your support, these animals are comfortable and well cared for by our expert staff. You can “adopt” one (or more!) of them by visiting our website today! | | January is African elephant Mara’s special month. It’s her birthday (happy 46th!) and the anniversary of her arrival at PAWS. She has called PAWS home for 36 years, making Mara our longest-term resident. Her best friend is Thika, and they can often be found dust bathing or foraging together in the sanctuary’s grassy pastures. | | |
Skip the Chocolates
Adopt an Animal This Valentine’s Day!
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For Valentine’s Day, give a gift that truly comes from the heart – an animal adoption from PAWS. It’s a meaningful way to show you care, while making a difference in an animal’s life.
When you “adopt” an elephant, big cat, bear, monkey, or another deserving animal at PAWS – for yourself or someone special – you directly support their lifelong care.
Your adoption helps provide nutritious food, dedicated caregiving, and a spacious, naturally enriching sanctuary environment.
Every adoption includes:
- A beautiful color photo of your “adopted” animal
- Certificate of adoption
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Periodic updates so you can follow their story
Adopt online: Visit the PAWS website to meet our animals. Click on the “Adopt” button on your chosen animal’s page.
Adopt by phone: Call our office at (209) 745-2606, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. PST, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
This Valentine’s Day, give a gift that changes a life!
Adoptions are symbolic only and do not involve physical custody of the animal. Please allow 7–10 days for your adoption packet to arrive.
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New Report Exposes Cruelty of
Elephant Tourism
| | PAWS frequently hears from people seeking “ethical” elephant tourism options in Thailand, where deceptive marketing practices mislead tourists and facilities often misrepresent certain activities as humane. | | For tourists – and anyone who cares about captive elephants – World Animal Protection’s (WAP) new report, Bred to Entertain, is a must read. Building on 15 years of monitoring Thailand’s elephant tourism industry, the report assessed 236 active venues holding 2,849 captive elephants across the country, offering a disturbing picture of the industry’s scale, common practices, and the conditions elephants endure in tourism. | | |
Key findings include:
- Thailand’s elephant tourism industry continues to cause widespread suffering. Two out of three elephants are kept in poor living conditions, including long hours on short chains and standing on concrete – conditions linked to often-lethal foot and joint disease.
- While riding and entertainment shows have declined overall, elephant numbers remain high, with more than 1,200 elephants still used for rides.
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Close contact “experiences”, such as bathing, hand feeding, and “be a mahout” programs have surged. Promoted as ethical alternatives, these activities still rely on punishment-based training. Venues offering these experiences often mislead tourists by marketing themselves as sanctuaries or rescue centers – but they are not humane or ethical.
- Observation-only venues, though relatively few in number, consistently received the highest welfare scores
The report concludes that elephant welfare has not meaningfully improved over the last 15 years, stating that practices such as chaining, social isolation, forced tourism interactions, and cruel training methods “undermine welfare, cause trauma and pose risks to human safety and public health.”
While observation-only venues received higher welfare scores, they represent an interim improvement. The report emphasizes that they cannot replace the urgent need to phase out captive elephant tourism altogether.
Read Bred to Entertain here.
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Save the Date!
2026 PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference This October
Get ready to be energized, informed, and inspired! The PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference—the only conference of its kind—will take place in Sacramento, California, October 2-3, with an optional trip to the PAWS sanctuary on October 4.
Joined by leading voices for elephants, marine mammals, bears, big cats, and other wild animals, we’ll examine critical issues, confront the challenges that remain, and advocate for real change.
More details coming soon—save the date!
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Did you know that you can help the animals at
PAWS with just a few clicks?
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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!
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Thank You to Our January Amazon Wish List Donors:
Barbara Smith: one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#. Maureen Moss: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#. Michelle Beausoleil: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#. Beverly Archer: one set of Midland GMRS 2-way radios. James & Robin Piane: two bottles of AminAvast, 60#. Monika Conrardy: one bag of Pecans, 2lbs; one bag of Almonds, 4lbs; one bag of Blueberries, 1lb; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one package of AA Batteries, 48pk. Shaw Law Group: legal services. Nancy Gordon: one box of AA Batteries, 48ct. Anonymous: one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one pack of Energizer Batteries, 48ct; two Sunshades; two packs of N95 Face Masks, 10 pk.
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Ben
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.
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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.
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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
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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!
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Shop online 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
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