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PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.
Since 1984
| | Newsletter | October 2025 | | Celebrating Elephants Toka and Thika! | | |
October is a special month at PAWS as we celebrate two milestones: the arrival of African elephants Thika and Toka in 2013 and Thika’s 45th birthday.
For the past 12 years, these special elephants have called PAWS home. They arrived, along with the late Iringa, from a North American zoo that closed its elephant exhibit.
Thika (pictured with Mara), born in captivity on October 18, 1980, is the tallest of the elephants. She can often be seen dust bathing with companion Mara, sending up clouds of dust in the afternoon sun.
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Toka (pictured), now 55, was born in the wild and likely lost her mother and family in a government cull before being sold into captivity. She is easily recognized by her long tusks. This resilient elephant has found safety and autonomy at PAWS.
We still remember the excitement of their entrance into the elephant barn at PAWS. Mara, along with the late Lulu and Maggie, greeted them with thunderous rumbles and earsplitting trumpets – a true elephant welcome. (See video below.)
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Today, Toka and Thika roam spacious natural pastures, forage on fresh vegetation, and splash in self-made mud holes.
Both are cherished members of the PAWS family, and we are honored to provide them with the peace, care, and dignity they deserve.
| | Tiger Meg and Lion Pasha Find Sanctuary at PAWS | | |
On May 17, two very special big cats arrived at PAWS: Pasha, a 10-year-old male African lion, and Meg, a 10-year-old tiger.
They were among more than 300 animals seized by Oregon authorities from the West Coast Game Park Safari, a roadside zoo shut down following a multiagency investigation into neglect and animal welfare violations.
According to news reports, the facility had been cited 80 times in just two years. Investigators found empty food storage freezers, evidence that big cats were sporadically fed on donated scraps, and even the body of a tiger stored in a freezer.
All of the seized animals – mostly domestic waterfowl and goats – have since been placed in reputable facilities.
Initially, PAWS was asked not to discuss this case, but we can now share that Meg and Pasha are comfortably settled in their new sanctuary homes.
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Meg is petite and high-spirited, often greeting caregivers with enthusiastic "chuffs." She loves to race up and down the grassy hillside, splash in her pool, and stretch out on an elevated platform to bask in the sun.
Pasha, tall and handsome with a thick, luxurious mane, is calm and regal – with a playful side. When caregivers approach, he flops onto his back, paws in the air, and rolls blissfully in the grass.
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He greets the sunrise and salutes sunset with deep, resonant roars that echo across the sanctuary. From his hilltop home, Pasha enjoys sweeping views of the Sierra foothills, surrounded by the peace of nature.
We are delighted to see Meg and Pasha feeling comfortably at home, and we look forward to watching their personalities continue to blossom.
PAWS commends the enforcement agencies that acted on behalf of the animals, and we are proud to provide these two remarkable big cats with lifelong sanctuary.
If you would like to “adopt “Meg, click here. To “adopt” Pasha click here.
| | PAWS Hosts Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance Conference | | |
This month, PAWS was honored to host the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA) Conference in Sacramento, California, bringing together representatives from sanctuaries and partner members nationwide and other professionals dedicated to the care and protection of big cats.
PAWS Co-founder and President of the Board Ed Stewart delivered the keynote address, sharing the inspiring story of PAWS’ founding with the late Pat Derby, highlighting historic rescues, and emphasizing the urgent need to continue fighting for captive wild animals today.
Attendees also enjoyed a special post-conference tour of the ARK 2000 sanctuary, where they met some of the animals and experienced firsthand the expert care that defines PAWS.
PAWS is a founding member of the BCSA, established in 2017 to end the private ownership and commercial exploitation of captive wild cats, while advancing the care, health, and welfare of rescued cats in true sanctuaries. Visit www.BigCatAlliance.org to learn more.
| | Ed Stewart Remembers Jane Goodall | | |
PAWS joins the world in mourning the loss of Jane Goodall, whose extraordinary life and work transformed our understanding of animals and inspired compassion, conservation, and respect for all living beings.
Ed Stewart, PAWS Co-founder and President of the Board, remembers the relationship that he and the late Pat Derby, his co-founder and partner, shared with Jane Goodall:
Pat Derby and I were fortunate to know Jane Goodall. In the 1980s, we sent her videos of primates being abused in circuses. Shocked at what she saw, she immediately offered her support.
Jane appeared in PAWS’ original anti-circus video, lending her voice to bring attention to the cause. We distributed the film worldwide, and Jane’s participation helped our campaign tremendously. When Jane Goodall spoke about primates, the world listened.
Later that decade, we were invited to Jane’s 30th anniversary celebration in Los Angeles – a star-studded event where her supporters, famous and not, gathered to honor her and raise funds for her important work.
The night ended with about 20 of us sitting in a circle in the hotel lounge, with Jane seated on the floor in the center. For over an hour, she captivated the group, demonstrating chimpanzee behaviors and vocalizations. Pat and I knew we were in the presence of conservation royalty.
Every time PAWS asked Jane for help, she was there for us and the animals. Thank you, Jane Goodall, for everything you have done for primates in captivity and the wild, and for being an inspiration to us all.
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PAWS Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Jackie Gai has co-authored a new paper titled “Mesothelioma in Lions (Panthera leo) and Tigers (Panthera tigris): An Antemortem Challenge”, published in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.
The paper explores the challenges of diagnosing and treating mesothelioma – an incurable cancer linked to exposure to asbestos fibers – in large felids. The paper aims to support earlier detection and enhance palliative care.
The findings also suggest a possible connection between the disease and circus environments, where animals may have been exposed to asbestos from transport vehicle brake linings or asbestos-coated fire rings used in performances.
This publication marks yet another meaningful contribution by PAWS to scientific knowledge that benefits captive wild animals worldwide.
| | Congrats to The Paw Project! | | |
Kudos to our friends at The Paw Project, whose bill to ban the declawing of domesticated cats in California was recently signed into law. (The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits the declawing of big cats except when medically necessary.)
Declawing any cat inflicts serious pain, discomfort, and chronic health problems. To learn more about this inhumane procedure, visit https://pawproject.org/.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Giving Tuesday
December 2, 2025
Our goal this year is to raise $80,000 – the cost of two months of care for PAWS' six elephants!
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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 October Amazon Wish List Donors:
Elke Riesterer: one bag of Sunflower Seeds, 5lbs. Margaret Decker: two bags of Kiwi, 1lb; one bag of Pineapple, 1lb. Linda Boitano: one bag of Pineapple, 1lb; one bag of Apricots, 1lb. Julie Sklare: one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one box of AA Batteries, 48#. Renee Bencich: one bag of Apricots, 1lb; one bag of Kiwi, 1lb; one bag of Pineapple, 1lb; one bag of Hazelnuts, 1lb. Jan: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#; one box of AA Batteries, 48#. Nancy Gordon: one box of AA Batteries, 48#; two packages of N95 Facemasks, 20#. Michelle Mitchell: one set of Midland GMRS 2 way Radios. Tami Schmidt: one set of Midland GMRS 2 way Radios. Gordon A. Grant: one package of N95 Facemasks, 20#. Cheryl Primas: two bags of Walnuts, 4lbs. Lynne Vanlandingham: one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one bottle of AminAvast, 60#; one package of N95 Facemasks, 20#. Cristina Goulart: one bag of Dates, 5lbs. Kathryn Dodds: one set of Midland GMRS 2 way Radios. Elaine Wheeler & J. Michael Thompson: one set of Midland GMRS 2 way Radios. Lynn Bruser: two bags of Hazelnuts, 1lb; two bags of Cranberries, 1lb. Carol Roscelli: one bag of Pinenuts, 2lbs; one bag of Hazelnuts, 1lb; one bag of Walnuts, 4lbs. Plummerbuilt, Inc: provided services, labor & materials for bobcat enclosure. Joyce Hodel: one box of Oranges, 35lbs. Karina Matadamas: one bag of Hazelnuts, 1lb. Caroline Curran: one bag of Blueberries, 1lb; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#.
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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.
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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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