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| Since 1984, The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has been at the forefront of efforts to rescue and provide appropriate, humane sanctuary for animals who have been the victims of the exotic and performing animal trades. PAWS investigates reports of abused performing and exotic animals, documents cruelty and assists in investigations and prosecutions by regulatory agencies to alleviate the suffering of captive wildlife. |  |
PAWS is Home to 5 Asian and 3 African Elephants
The elephant habitat at ARK 2000 provides the elephants with hundreds of acres of varied natural terrain to roam, lakes to bathe in, and state-of-the-art elephant barns equipped with heated stalls and therapeutic Jacuzzis.
Learn More »
Ed Stewart, PAWS president and co-founder.
"No Ethical Way To Keep Elephants In Captivity"
Ed Stewart responds to the April 23, 2013, National Geographic "NewsWatch" online post, “Captive Elephant Management: Interview with Knoxville Zoo’s Curator of Elephants,” by guest blogger Jordan Carlton Schaul.
Read Ed's post here >>
Meet Mojo the Muntjac
One of the shyest and least known residents at the Galt sanctuary is Mojo, an Indian (or Common) muntjac. Mojo arrived in the summer of 2007, an illegal pet confiscated by a nearby county animal control agency. Mojo is estimated to be about 11 years old.
Wild muntjac live in forests and dense vegetation in many parts of Asia where they are hunted for their flesh and skin, and killed as “nuisances” due to their appetite for eating tree bark. Muntjac are sold in the U.S. in the exotic pet trade for $750 - $1500. In the early 18th century, exotic Reeve’s muntjac were released into England for hunting. This invasive population is expanding, and sadly, many are killed every year by hunters, hit by cars, and again as nuisances for their love of eating rosebuds and other flowers.
These dainty deer are only 18-20 inches tall and weigh 15-25 pounds. Muntjac have a delicate digestive system, eating grasses, leaves, and tender shoots in the wild. Our dedicated keepers feed Mojo a balanced mixture of hay, pellets, vegetables, and hand-selected tender, leafy branches. Also known as the “barking deer”, muntjac are constantly alert for predators and emit a loud, piercing bark when they feel threatened. Their constant state of vigilance and special dietary requirements make them difficult to care for properly, and they are illegal to own in most states without a permit.
Mojo spends his days grazing in his grassy enclosure, nibbling on tender willow branches, and lying in the sunny grass or under the shade of his trees. At night, he sleeps in his own cozy, straw-bedded shelter. Skittish and suspicious when he first came to PAWS, now he is friendly and inquisitive and looks forward to visits from the keepers to see what delicious leaves and branches they bring.
Become an adoptive parent to Mojo. Find out more information here. >>>
Bob Barker Will Fund Elephant Flight To California
Iringa, Toka and Thika, the Toronto Zoo's three African elephants, will travel from Toronto to California aboard a private plane thanks to longtime PAWS' friend Bob Barker.
The TV icon offered to fund the $880,000 flight after learning that one of the elephants suffers from a serious foot problem and isn't well enough to withstand the long trip by truck.
"To think that one of them might not survive the trip in a truck touched my heart and purse strings," said Barker.
Update: On November 27, 2012, Toronto City council voted 32 to 8 to send the Toronto Zoo elephants to PAWS — again. No date has yet to be set for the move. Please continue to check our website for more details as plans develop.
PAWS Sanctuaries
At PAWS Sanctuaries rescued animals live in peaceful and natural habitats, free from fear, chains, and harsh confinement. They are at complete liberty to act out natural behaviors in the comfort of their individually designed enclosures. PAWS' animals are not bred, traded, sold, rented or forced to perform in any way. PAWS educates the entertainment industry, public officials and the general public in humane care and treatment of captive wildlife.
Through our public awareness campaigns, more and more activeoncerned individuals are becoming aware of the problems inherent in the breeding of wildlife in captivity and the use of animals in entertainment. Learn More »
Ed Stewart, PAWS president and co-founder, is this year's CELEBRATING ELEPHANTS featured speaker. Click on the image above for more information. Proceeds from this event benefit the Amboseli Trust for Elephants.
Pat Derby & PAWS Receive International Award for Animal Sanctuary Excellence
Nashville, TN – On Wednesday, May 8, the 2013 "Carole Noon Award for Sanctuary Excellence" was awarded to Pat Derby, posthumously, and to The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).
The award was established by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), to honor those who dedicate themselves passionately to sanctuary animal care and is named in honor of Carole Noon, Ph.D., a courageous and innovative sanctuary pioneer and champion of chimpanzees. The award was presented at The Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Care Expo opening ceremonies by Michael Markarian, GFAS Vice President, and chief program and policy officer of HSUS.
Ed Stewart, PAWS President and Co-Founder, accepted the award on behalf of Pat and PAWS.
Read more >>>
PREMIERES APRIL 22, thru May
THIS DOCUMENTARY
IS DEDICATED TO PAT DERBY
Available throughout May on HBO channels.
Check your local listings!
Read HBO's press release, here >>>
SF Chronicle's review, here >>>
The Hollywood Reporter review, here >>>
View trailer and synopsis, here >>>
Pictured above: PAT DERBY WITH "71"
Pat Derby
In Memoriam
Our hearts are broken.
Pat Derby died peacefully, on the night of February 15, in her home at ARK 2000. Ed Stewart, her partner of 37 years, was by her side.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in July of 2010, she fought her way through radiation and chemotherapy and continued to deal with side effects from treatment, including anemia. In early fall of last year came the news that cancer had returned.
Pat and Ed chose to keep this last fight a private matter. We honored their wishes.
It's impossible for any of us to imagine life without Pat Derby — PAWS without Pat Derby — but she chose, and trained, her support team well, and under the leadership of Ed Stewart, Pat's dreams and visions will be kept alive, her advocacy for animals will continue and PAWS will move forward.
We'll miss her fire, determination and fearlessness; her intelligence and her passion.
We'll miss her sense of humor.
We'll just miss her, period.
Pat Derby was a partner, leader, mentor, teacher and friend. She was the first to champion the cause of performing animals, and today, because of her work and her fierce determination, most animal protection organizations have captive wildlife programs that address the issues of performing animals.
Pat chose a life for herself that was not for the timid.
She built ARK 2000.
Rest in peace dear friend.
PAWS
Performing Animal Welfare Society
PO Box 849, Galt, CA 95632
(209) 745-2606 Office/Sanctuary
(209) 745-1809 fax
info@pawsweb.org
