PAWS Officers and Directors » Ed Stewart

Ed Stewart                                                                                      
Cofounder, Secretary Treasurer

After graduating from the University of Tennessee’s College of Communications, Ed Stewart worked in marketing and advertising until he met Pat Derby in 1976 when he managed the Auto Show in Cleveland, Ohio. Pat Derby was the national representative for Lincoln Mercury and trainer of the live cougars used in the car commercials. Ed joined Pat as a representative for Lincoln Mercury at national auto shows and later became book promotions coordinator for the national book tour of The Lady and Her Tiger. 

In 1978 he and Ms. Derby opened and operated the Howling Wolf Lodge and Wild Animal Sanctuary inLeggett, California. Ed soon became involved with captive wildlife management and quickly developed his skills in design and construction of large-animal enclosures. He also became a tireless advocate for animal welfare at the California State Legislature and the Department of Fish and Game – working to ensure better care for exotic animals for entertainment.

In 1984 Mr. Stewart and Ms. Derby founded the Performing Animal Welfare Society -- PAWS.   As leaders of PAWS, they introduced legislation to set higher standards for the care and handling of captive wildlife.  The bill was signed into law in 1985.

Also in 1985 Ed began initial construction of the original PAWS sanctuary for captive wildlife in Galt, California.   In 1998 PAWS began the construction of ARK2000, a 2,300 acre wildlife sanctuary in San Andreas, CA.   In addition to managing the development and design of what would be the countries largest captive wildlife sanctuary, Ed serves as Director of Sanctuary Operations for PAWS’ three sanctuaries. 

Ed’s skills in communication are utilized in production of television documentaries on wildlife and animal protection issues.  Along with Pat Derby, he and PAWS have been featured on CNN, 20/20, Animal Planet, The Crusaders, Dateline, Animal Planet, The Leeza Show, The Montel Williams Show, and other national media promoting PAWS’ campaigns to protect captive wildlife.

Mr. Stewart also participates in regional projects.  He serves on a number of committees and boards and spearheads several philanthropic causes for underserved children and seniors – the “Senior Olympics” and the “Galt Running of the Berries” are only a few examples of his involvement in broad based community projects.

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