|
PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY
Rescue. Advocacy. Sanctuary. For Life.
Since 1984
| | Newsletter | September 2025 | | Join PAWS in Welcoming Bobcat Archer | | |
We’re pleased to introduce you to our newest sanctuary resident: Archer, an adult male bobcat who arrived at our sanctuary on September 7. He is believed to be around 5 years old.
Archer was one of several animals seized earlier this year from the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation in Butte County by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife following an investigation into animal welfare violations.
PAWS cares for three other animals from the same facility: black bear Dally and mountain lion Casey, who were seized earlier this year, and tiger Cleo who was seized in 2024 after she was found suffering from a painful bone disease.
While we completed construction of a custom-built bobcat enclosure at PAWS, Archer was cared for at the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue (SCWR) in Petaluma, California.
| | |
We are grateful to Doris Duncan, executive director of SCWR (pictured), and her staff for providing excellent care during Archer's six-month stay, and to Ken Wayne, CEO of Flying Tails Animal Rescue (pictured), for transporting him safely to his forever home here at our sanctuary.
Little is known about Archer's early life and whether he was born in captivity or in the wild. It is common for animals to come to us with no known history, so our dedicated caregivers and veterinary team carefully monitor newly rescued animals to evaluate their health, personalities, and special needs.
| |
Although bobcats typically prefer to avoid humans, Archer seems to be the exception. He is showing his friendly, curious nature, purring loudly and rubbing against the fence when he sees his caregivers.
Now settled into his spacious, naturalistic habitat next door to female bobcat Rumi, Archer enjoys elevated platforms that provide sweeping views of the trees, nearby mountain, and open sky.
Welcome home, Archer!
| | Pictured: PAWS Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Jackie Gai and Managing Director Brian Busta release Archer from his transport crate into his new den. | | Pictured: PAWS Carnivore Section Manager Renae Smith, Flying Tails Animal Rescue CEO Ken Wayne, and Dr. Jackie Gai | | |
A Huge Thank You from the Elephants!
Thanks to your generosity, this month’s special Elephant Appreciation Day appeal was a big success.
We’re pleased to share that we will be purchasing four new hay bags for the six rescued and retired elephants at PAWS.
These special bags are filled with hay and hung overhead inside the elephant barns. When the elephants aren’t foraging outdoors, they can exercise their bodies and brains indoors as they use their trunks to stretch, reach, and manipulate the bags to grab bits of hay.
Your support has made this possible. The elephants thank you!
| | |
Right-Trunked or Left-Trunked?
Did you know that elephants are right- or left-trunked, just like people are right- or left-handed? The clues are in their trunk whiskers (bristly hairs) and wrinkles.
The elephant’s trunk is an amazing appendage: boneless and packed with around 40,000 muscles. Highly strong and flexible, elephants use their trunks to breathe, drink, smell, and trumpet – and even pick up a grain of rice.
| | |
When an elephant curls their trunk to pick up food or other objects, they tend to favor one side. Over time, the whiskers on the outside of the curl become shorter and sparser from rubbing on the ground, while the skin on the inside creases from bending, further wrinkling the skin.
For example, a right-trunked elephant will have shorter whiskers on the left side and more wrinkles on the right.
| | |
Interestingly, Asian elephants have more trunk wrinkles than African elephants.
This is likely related to an important difference between their trunks: Asian elephants have only one “finger” at the tip of the trunk and often need to wrap their trunks around objects, unlike African elephants who have two “fingers” for pinching and gripping.
Watch the video of Toka above and see if you can spot whether she's right- or left-trunked!
| | |
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 September Amazon Wish List Donors:
Mary C. Ferguson: one bag of Pineapple, 1lb; one bottle of AminAvast, 60#; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one bag of Kiwi, 1lb; one bag of Macadamia Nuts, 2lbs; one bag of Dates, 5lbs; one bag of Cranberries, 2lbs; one bag of Cherries, 1lb. DeAnn Freitag: one bag of Pecans, 2lbs; one bag of Cranberries, 2lbs; one bag of Cherries, 1lb; one bag of Kiwi, 1lb; one bag of Coconut, 1lb; one bag of Dates, 5lbs. Wendy Herbold: one bag of Blueberries, 1lb; one bag of Coconut, 1lb; one bag of Dates, 5lbs; one bag of Pumpkin, 5lbs. David Cortese: one bag of Brazil Nuts, 3lbs; one bag of Pumpkin Seeds, 5lbs; one bag of Cashews, 5lbs. Susan Nickerson: one bag of Almonds, 4lbs. Sandra Raynor: one bag of Coconut, 1lb; one bag of Papaya, 1lb; one bag of Apples, 1lb. Marcia Pelka: one bag of Coconut, 1lb; one bag of Macadamia Nuts, 2lbs; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#. Mary Ellen Williams: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#. Tina Paoli: one bag of Pineapple, 1lb; one bag of Kiwi, 1lb. Terri Ducay: one bag of Pumpkin Seeds, 5lbs. Lee Ann Nelson: one bottle of AminAvast, 60#. Robin Piane: one set of Midland Radios 50 channel GMRS. Shaw Law Group: pro bono legal services. Anonymous: one bag of Blueberries, 1lb; one bag of Cranberries, 2lbs; one bag of Apricots, 1lb; two bags of Pecans, 5lbs; one bag of Hazel Nuts, 1lb; one bag of Brazil Nuts, 3lbs.
| | |
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!
| | |
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
| | | | |
