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PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.
Since 1984
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Dally and Casey:
Celebrating One Year at PAWS!
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It’s hard to believe that a full year has passed since Casey, a mountain lion, and Dally, an American black bear, arrived at the PAWS sanctuary – their permanent home.
From the moment they arrived, PAWS’ caregiving team has provided the individualized attention and patience they needed to feel secure and begin settling into their new homes.
As we got to know them – and they got to know and trust us – their distinct personalities soon emerged.
Casey is bold and expressive – greeting caregivers with enthusiastic “meows”, “chirps”, and purrs.
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Dally (pictured) finds comfort in the quiet of nature, exploring her habitat at her own pace or basking in the warm sun.
Seized by government authorities from a pseudo-sanctuary under criminal investigation for animal welfare violations, Dally and Casey ‘s lives have been completely transformed.
Today, they enjoy spacious natural environments: walking on soft green grass or napping under shady oak trees. They have a life far closer to what nature intended for them.
Please join us in celebrating these two remarkable animals – and the new lives they have because of you.
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Caring for Older Animals at PAWS
by PAWS Director of Veterinary Services, Jackie Gai, DVM
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The wellbeing of the animals that call PAWS home is always our top priority – especially as they grow older. We are proud to be recognized for the individualized, compassionate care we provide, ensuring each animal can remain comfortable, active, and engaged well into their senior years.
Our caregiving and veterinary teams work closely together to meet the evolving needs of aging animals. One example is Ben the bear.
At 25 years old, Ben is considered "elderly.” In the wild, black bears have an average lifespan of 15-20 years, with many dying prematurely from human-related causes such as vehicles strikes or being shot.
In captivity, bears can live quite a bit longer – up to 40 years – which means they are more likely to develop age-related conditions such as arthritis, dental disease, and cancer.
To ensure that Ben can continue to forage, swim, and enjoy his habitat for years to come, our dedicated caregivers provide daily medications and supplements to support joint health and mobility.
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Prince, an Asian elephant born in a zoo and sent to a circus as a calf, is another animal receiving specialized care.
At 38, Prince would be in his prime in the wild. Tragically, captivity shortens elephants’ lives, often due to chronic conditions such as arthritis and foot disease caused by elements of unnatural environments such as hard surfaces.
Today, Prince is being treated for arthritis, foot problems, and chronic kidney disease. His care includes a regimen of medications and supplements – costing more than $4,000 each month – to keep him comfortable and active.
Thanks to this dedicated care, Prince enjoys simple pleasures: napping on a sunny hillside, and as the weather warms up, floating and splashing contentedly in his pool.
Will you help us continue to provide this critical care for Ben, Prince, and the other special needs animals at PAWS?
Please visit our Amazon Wish List page to purchase needed supplies – or you can make a gift today.
Your generosity helps ensure the animals live out their lives in comfort, dignity, and peace.
| | PAWS Hosts College Students for Special Captive Wildlife Program | | |
This month, PAWS welcomed students from Columbia College in Sonora, California, who participated in our innovative education program, Wild Animals in Captivity: Exploring the Interface Between Humans and Wildlife.
This program invites professors to bring their classes to the sanctuary to learn about the natural biology and behavior of tigers, black bears, and elephants, and the issues surrounding their captivity.
Students are guided through the sanctuary where they learn about the animals’ individual histories, and through discussion they explore how captive situations affect their perception of wild animals in captivity and in nature.
For information on how your college class can participate in Wild Animals in Captivity: Exploring the Interface Between Humans and Wildlife, contact Catherine Doyle at cdoyle@pawsweb.org.
| | Asian Elephant Gypsy Turns 59 | | Join PAWS in wishing Gypsy a happy birthday! This elephant has a special place in our hearts – having endured nearly 40 punishing years in circuses. She is a true survivor. Gypsy has called PAWS home for almost 19 years – having arrived in April 2007. Best wishes to this remarkable elephant! | | Get Ready for the Big Day of Giving! | | |
Mark you calendars for one of the year’s biggest giving events! May 7 is the Big Day of Giving, when we’ll be aiming to raise $75,000 in just one day to care for the elephants, big cats, bears, monkeys, and other animals at our sanctuary.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can help make the Big Day of Giving a huge success!
Early giving begins on April 23, 2026. Details to come.
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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 March Amazon Wish List Donors:
Robin Piane: three bottles of Vetriscience Healthy Heart, 90#. Anna Neczypor: one bottle of Emcelle Tocopherol, 1000ml. Nancy Gordon: one bag of Almonds, 4lbs; one bottle of Kidney Health, 60#; one bag of Dried Blueberries, 1lb. Maureen Moss: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#. Luke Alexander: two bottles of Emcelle Tocopherol, 1000ml. Fran Coletti: one bottle of Vetriscience Cardio Strength, 90#; one bag of Pecans, 2lbs; one bag of Sunflower Seeds, 5lbs; one bottle of Kidney Health, 60#; one bag of Kidney Support, 60#; one bag of Macadamia Nuts, 2lbs; one bag of Almonds, 4lbs; one bag of Pumpkin Seeds, 5lbs. Tracy Fox: one bottle of Sore No More liniment, 64oz. Anonymous: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#; two bottles of Emcelle Tocopherol, 1000ml.
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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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