PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY

Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.

Since 1984

Newsletter | October 2026

In this issue:

PAWS Conference a Success!

Double Celebration for Thika

Holiday Gift-giving Ideas

Mark Your Calendar for Tusker Tuesday

PAWS Co-founder and President of the Board of Directors Ed Stewart

PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference a Huge Success!

We’re pleased to report that the PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference was a great success, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees.

The world’s longest-running international conference dedicated to examining the challenges facing wild animals in captivity, the event brought together experts and advocates from around the world for two days of shared learning and critical discussion.

Held October 2-3 in Sacramento, California, the conference drew an estimated 150 attendees. Speakers represented work in more than 10 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Latin America, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the U.S.

Presentations explored a range of issues affecting captive wild animals, from investigations into the big cat and parrot trades to the growing exploitation of sloths and other exotic animals for public encounters. Other topics included international big cat rescues, efforts to end the pet primate trade in the U.S., and captive wildlife tourism.  

One full day focused on elephants, with presentations examining conservation, behavior, tourism, cognition, and autonomy.  

Author Andrew Westoll shared an excerpt his new book

Three noted authors also shared their work exploring captive big cats and zoos: Andrew Westoll’s Born to be Wild: Reckoning with Zoos in the Age of Extinction; Eve D’Vincent’s Captive Ambassadors: The Hidden Lives of Zoo Animals; and Carol Bradley’s Striped Reckoning: Tiger Kings and the Battle to Rescue America’s Captive Big Cats.

Following the conference, attendees had the opportunity to visit PAWS’ ARK 2000 sanctuary and see our work firsthand, learning about the animals in our care, their histories, and the lifelong care we provide. 

A defining strength of this international conference is bringing together people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives – from leading researchers and welfare professionals to those just beginning to explore captive wildlife issues. These connections foster new collaborations, strengthen existing partnerships, and help turn knowledge into meaningful action.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the next PAWS International Captive Wildlife Conference in 2028!

PAWS is grateful for everyone who helped make the conference a success: the speakers who shared their important work for animals, our generous conference sponsors, PAWS’ dedicated volunteers, the amazing catering staff, Legion AVS for their services, and everyone who attended the conference. A special thank you to Kim Gardner, Lisa and Kerry Worgan, PAWS' co-founder and board president Ed Stewart and our board of directors, and our incredible PAWS team who do so much for the animals.

Thika

Double Celebration: Thika’s Birthday and “Lucky 13” Anniversary

This month, we are marking two special anniversaries for African elephant Thika: Her 46th birthday and 13 years of her new life at PAWS.

Thika arrived at the PAWS sanctuary on October 18, 2013, together with the late Iringa and Toka. The three elephants came from the Toronto Zoo, which had decided to no longer keep elephants. We well remember the deafening chorus of elephants trumpeting as the newcomers entered the barn for the first time!

Today, Thika spends her time with Mara, the longest-term resident at the sanctuary. The two are almost inseparable as they forage and explore their spacious habitat. On sunny afternoons, you often can find the two elephants dust bathing side by side before taking a quick afternoon nap.

We invite you to celebrate Thika’s 46^th birthday and her 13^th anniversary at PAWS. Click here to symbolically “adopt” Thika – or make a special birthday and anniversary gift here to support her and the other wild animals who call PAWS home.

Mara and Thika (right) mudding together

This Holiday Season, Give a Gift with Meaning

Looking for a holiday gift that’s thoughtful, memorable, and makes a difference for animals? PAWS offers meaningful ways to celebrate the animal lovers in your life while helping rescued wild animals receive the lifelong care they deserve.

Wear Your Love for Animals – New PAWS T-Shirts



Show your support for rescued wildlife with our new, high-quality t-shirts and totes featuring new designs inspired by the animals who call our sanctuary home. 

Choose a design featuring African elephant Mara alongside the words that embody our mission: Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. Or celebrate her companion Thika, whose beautiful face is framed in a delicate circle on a t-shirt and tote bag.

These designs are a wonderful way for you or your loved ones to wear their love for animals!

Give the Gift of an Animal Adoption

Give an animal lover a special connection to one of the remarkable animals at PAWS! With a symbolic adoption, you can honor a friend or family member – or treat yourself – while helping provide lifelong care for a bear, elephant, monkey, lion, tiger, or another beloved PAWS resident.

Each adoption supports spacious habitats, nutritious food, veterinary care, and the dedicated attention every animal deserves. Recipients receive a beautiful color photo, an adoption certificate, and the inspiring story of their adopted animal’s journey to PAWS.

Make a Gift in Someone’s Honor



Sometimes the most meaningful gift is one that helps others. Make a donation to PAWS in honor of a friend, colleague, or family member, and we’ll notify them of your thoughtful gesture. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate someone you care about while helping provide a safe haven for rescued wildlife.

PAWS Hosts LEAP Program Students

PAWS recently welcomed a group of high school students from the LEAP program, led by Co-founder and Executive Director Danielle Hanosh, for a day of learning about the natural biology and behavior of tigers, black bears, and elephants – and the realities and ethical challenges of keeping wild animals in captivity.

While guided through the sanctuary, students learned about the animals’ individual stories and the journeys that brought them to PAWS. They then took part in a thoughtful discussion about the effects of captivity on wild animals and how our experiences with captive wildlife shape – and often distort – our perceptions of these animals.

LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) empowers young people to become tomorrow’s leaders and advocates for a more equitable future for all living beings and the planet. Learn more about the program here.

Giving Tuesday: Save the Date!

Help Support the Elephants at PAWS

We know it may seem early, but December will be here before we know it!

December 1 is #GivingTuesday, one of the biggest giving days of the year. 

At PAWS, we celebrate it as Tusker Tuesday, with a goal of raising $80,000 (or more!) to support the five elephants who have found a lifetime home at our sanctuary: Prince, Gypsy, Nicholas, Mara, and Thika.

Thanks to your generosity, these remarkable animals roam spacious pastures amid rolling hills, forage on natural vegetation, and enjoy their favorite activities, from refreshing mud baths to peaceful naps on a gentle hillside. 

Mark your calendar for December 1! Get ready to join us for Tusker Tuesday and help ensure the elephants continue to receive the expert care, comfort, and love they deserve.

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 October Amazon Wish List Donors:

Linda Boitano: one bottle of Kidney Health, 60#; one bag of Pecans, 2lbs. Nancy Gordon: one bag of Popcorn, 5lbs; one bag of Popcorn, 6lbs. Star Thatcher: one bag of Peaches, 1lb. Rexanne Warner: one bag of Peaches, 1lb. Mary C. Ferguson: one bottle of Kidney Support, 60#; one bottle of Emcelle Tocopherol, 1000ml. Rhonda & John Schulke: one Soundcore Boom2 portable speaker/bluetooth. Suzanne Boyer: one bottle of Kidney Health, 60#. Pamela Moucha: one bag of Pecans, 2lbs. Jane Droogsma: one box of Popcorn, 6lb bags. Kathy Barbour: two Micro Fiber cloths; one pack of Panasonic AA Batteries, 2ct; one pack of Rayovac AA Batteries, 4ct; one Costco Gift Card; one pair of Heavy Duty Latex Gloves; one pack of Raisins, 6pk; two bags of Jumbo Raw Peanuts, 1lb; one bag of Extra Fancy unsalted mixed nuts, 40oz; one bag of Greenies Pill Pockets, 1.6oz; one bag of Walnut Chips, 2oz; one bag of Pitted Dates, 8oz; one bag of Pitted Prunes, 8oz. Barbara Gagnon: two bags of popcorn, 6lbs. Karen Poskus: two bottles of AminAvast Kidney Support, 60#. Anonymous: three bottles of Kidney Support, 60#; one bottle of Kidney Health, 60#; six bottles of Emcelle Tocopherol, 1000ml; three bags of Pumpkin Seeds, 5lbs; one bottle of Sore-No-More Liniment, 1/2gal; one pack of N95 Face Masks, 20ct; one bag of Peaches, 1lb.

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!