2023 archives

Our updates, press releases, blog posts, rescues, publications and other news

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countries globally currently have FOUR PAWS projects, offices or missions, in our ongoing effort of improving animal welfare worldwide!

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big cats and bears are being protected in species appropriate environments, in our sanctuaries and cooperation projects around the world

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dogs and cats received help through UPAW, a platform established by us together with partners, that has taken care of the distribution of more than 1,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid in Ukraine

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people have pledged to #WearitKind for more compassionate and ethical fashion! This is just one of many successful campaigns this year.

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bears are living in captivity as 'restaurant bears' in Albania. We helped put an end to this cruelty all together, by rescuing the last one this year!

Note: Any advertisements that may appear during the viewing of this video are unrelated to FOUR PAWS. We assume no liability for this content.

Dog in a puppy farm in Australia

FOUR PAWS survey: Australians victim to puppy scams

Survey finds Australian puppy scammers profiteering from animal abuse.

Bear Mark behind bars

Rescue Bear Mark

After 20 years in a tiny cage, Albania's last restaurant bear is finally free

Animal caregiver and dog Jackson cuddling

So much more than a job

Overnight, I became a caregiver to 61 dogs after one of the biggest rescues from the dog meat trade in Cambodia

Dr. Amir Khalil

An interview with Dr. Amir Khalil

Project director, team leader and expert vet speaks on his work at FOUR PAWS

Karachi elephants receive dental surgery

Last Captive Elephants From Pakistani Zoo Undergo One-Of-A-Kind Tusk Surgery

International vet team from FOUR PAWS performs innovative super-size procedure

pug puppy

Puppy Scams on the Rise in Australia

Australians are being left heartbroken and out of pocket by these sophisticated puppy scams

Bear Mark at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach

Albania’s last restaurant bear arrives at sanctuary

With bear Mark’s rescue, FOUR PAWS closed a chapter of cruel animal keeping in Albania

Cat meowing in a metal cylinder

Rescue Cat Mozart

FOUR PAWS' Project Kishka helps stray cats in Ukraine

Arctic fox

Making Fashion Kinder in 2022 and Beyond

Through both big leaps and small steps, together we can turn fashion into an animal-friendly industry

Fox Mala at TIERART

Foxes and Raccoon Dogs Find Home at Tierart Wild Animal Sanctuary

FOUR PAWS supports European Citizens' Initiative for a fur-free Europe

Bear Mark

Albania’s last ‘restaurant bear’ is rescued

FOUR PAWS transfers bear Mark to its BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach in Austria

puppies in puppy farm

Cute. Quick. Sick.

The puppy farm scam. The dirty business of treating dogs like a "commodity"

Woman doing online research

What You Need to Know About Online Puppy Sellers

The most common tricks to avoid when looking for a puppy

pigs in factory farming

Pigs Suffering in Factory Farming

Pigs killed in the Australian meat industry suffer throughout their short lives, together we can ease this suffering.

Lambs with bloody backs after mulesing

NSW Minister ignores sheep suffering in mulesing

Joint Media Statement – FOUR PAWS Australia, Humane Society International Australia

Live plucking at a geese farm in Poland

Shocking footage: Live plucking of geese for fashion

FOUR PAWS reveals animal welfare violations on almost half of investigated farms

horse racing

Melbourne Cup: Horses Racing for their Lives

Cruelty prevails in the horse racing industry. Join us in saying Nup to the Cup

FOUR PAWS rescues nine bile bears after more than 17 years in tiny cages

Vietnam: FOUR PAWS Rescues Nine Bile Bears After More Than 17 Years in Tiny Cages

Bear farming lynchpin Hanoi remains inactive in phasing out the cruel practice

Elephant Kaavan in his enclosure being visited by Amir Khalil at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary

Former “loneliest elephant in the world”, Kaavan, reunites with rescuers

FOUR PAWS rescued Kaavan in 2020 and flew him to Cambodia in “heaviest” mission yet

Zoe was rescued from a fur farm

Shopping Guide for Animal-Friendly Fashion

From wool to down – have a heart for animals when shopping

Animal caregiver and dog Jackson cuddling

So much more than a job

Overnight, I became a caregiver to 61 dogs after one of the biggest rescues from the dog meat trade in Cambodia

Puppies

Questions to Ask When Buying a Puppy

Simply asking the right questions can be the best way to avoid the risks of the unscrupulous puppy trade

Merino sheep

FOUR PAWS Joins Forces to Form 2-Million-Strong Australian Alliance for Animals

Launch of 2-million-strong animal welfare alliance to put animals on political agenda

Asiatic black bear Soi in a tiny cage in Vietnam

FOUR PAWS rescues Asiatic black bear Soi

Bear was illegally kept in Son La province, Vietnam

Karachi elephants receive dental surgery

Last Captive Elephants From Pakistani Zoo Undergo One-Of-A-Kind Tusk Surgery

International vet team from FOUR PAWS performs innovative super-size procedure

Puppy

How to Find a Responsible Breeder

Thinking about buying a puppy? Follow these steps!

Male bear in Bahkmut, Ukraine

Emergency rescue of abandoned bear in Ukraine

FOUR PAWS takes in bear from war-torn Donetsk region at BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr

Dog in cage

Indonesia’s President Widodo urged to end sickeningly cruel dog meat trade

New investigation reveals dogs sold for meat alongside bats, snakes and wild boar in Sulawesi “extreme” wet markets despite disease risk

Athlete

New brutal mulesing footage puts pressure on Nike

FOUR PAWS together with pro athletes call on sportswear giant to “Just Don't Do It”

Battery hen in Australia

Australia to finally ban battery cages... but 2036 is still too late!

FOUR PAWS is calling for a faster phase-out period to protect chickens from suffering.

Circus bear muzzled for entertainment

Tips for an Animal-friendly Holiday

Selfies taken with penguins and quokkas, bears in chains, on the back of an elephant or petting lion cubs. Animal welfare should not stop during your holidays.

Factory farmed pigs

COP27 Failed to Deliver for Animals

FOUR PAWS urges governments to prioritise food systems to meet global climate targets

Rescue lion cub Nikola

Rescue Lion Nikola

A traumatic start in life with a happy ending

Bear Vova before rescue

Animal rescue efforts continue even in times of war: Rescue of bear Vova in Ukraine

FOUR PAWS rescues former ‘restaurant bear’ in Ukraine

Protecting animals in floods

How to Protect Animals During Floods

Planning is key and how to help water-logged animals

dog in cage

#LiveKinder to End the Dog and Cat Meat Trade

Help us #ProtectMillions

Press conference on the topic of Hanoi bile bears

Hanoi Last in the Race to End Bear Bile Farming in Vietnam

Urgent and decisive action needed

Tiger behind bars in the train wagon

Four tigers stuck in a train carriage in Argentina for 15 years

FOUR PAWS to rescue and relocate ‘train tigers’ to its LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Cat in Crate

Pet Abandonment – A Global Animal Welfare Issue

Every day around the globe, hundreds of thousands of animals are abandoned by their owners

Rescued lions Kandaka and Mansour

Sudanese Lions Rescued to Al Ma’Wa, Jordan Sanctuary

FOUR PAWS successfully transfers two big cats after two years of preparations

pig in a cage

"Historic” Food4Climate Pavilion at UN Climate COP27!

Food systems transformation to take centre stage at first Food4Climate pavilion at annual UN climate summit

Dogs behind bars

The Harmful Consequences Caused by Pet Abandonment

Leaving dogs and cats behind harms the animals, their owners and shelters

Rescue Bé and Em

Rescue Bear Cubs Bé and Em

Stolen for the illegal wildlife trade, two orphaned bear cubs are safe now

Stray animal care in Ukraine

UPAW keeps delivering tonnes of food to animal shelters in Ukraine

FOUR PAWS and partners provide urgent help for thousands of dogs and cats

Bear Thi

Rescue Nine Bile Bears

From life behind bars to paradise: Almost two decades in captivity are over

Dog in a cage for the DCMT in Indonesia

Dog Slaughterhouse Owner in Indonesia Sentenced to 12 Months in Jail for Trading in Stolen Dogs for Human Consumption

This is the third conviction of a dog meat trafficker since the national government’s declaration in 2018 that 'dogs are not food'

Merino sheep on a pasture

Cruel wool in sportswear is in high season

New FOUR PAWS report reveals market leader Nike lagging behind competitors on animal welfare

Dog Hexi as photo model for abandoned dogs

Helpful tips for pet owners in a difficult situation

Abandoning your pet is never an option. See our advice for support and solutions.

Argentinian Train tigers settling into their first enclosure at LIONSROCK

Former ‘Train Tigers’ Enjoy Tiger-Worthy Life in South Africa

FOUR PAWS rescued four tigers from a train carriage in Argentina in early March

Mink in a cage at a fur farm

A-List Actors Brian Cox CBE and Thuso Mbedu Support Animal Welfare Campaign

Actors Brian Cox CBE and Thuso Mbedu are throwing their weight behind a FOUR PAWS campaign which is calling upon governments to prioritise animal welfare policies to prevent the next pandemic

Cow and her calf on a field

97th World Animal Day Celebrates a “Shared Planet”

FOUR PAWS calls for global action to address systemic abuses of animals and its dangerous impact on our world

Kangaroo on road

Avoiding Wildlife Accidents

How to prevent collisions with wild animals – and what to do in case of an emergency

Dog in the destroyed town of Bucha

From the Ruins: How Stray Animals Are Being Taken Care of in the Streets of Bucha and Other Ukrainian Cities

FOUR PAWS delivers help in full capacity again for homeless dogs and cats across the country

FOUR PAWS loading pet food supplies into a van headed to Ukraine

FOUR PAWS to deliver nearly 20 tons of animal food to war-torn Ukraine

Ukrainian zoos at risk of running out of food supplies – FOUR PAWS acting upon official request from Ukrainian authorities

Spring Has Arrived at Our Sanctuaries

Spring Has Arrived at Our Sanctuaries

The sun is shining and the weather is sweet!

Dog in a shelter

The Top 9 Reasons Why People Give Up Their Pets

Learn more about why pet owners abandon or surrender their animals

Travel Kind for animals

Travel Kind

Animal abuse for tourism is real. Travel without the animal cruelty.

UPAW emergency feeding in Ukraine

FOUR PAWS and Partners Provide Urgent Help to Animal Shelters in Ukraine

A new platform distributes food and supplies to shelters where help is needed the most

Bear Vova before rescue

Rescue Bear Vova

No more entertaining – a new life awaits the Ukrainian restaurant bear

crocodile farmed for leather

How Reptiles are Suffering for Fashion

Reptiles are farmed and skinned for fashion, and it is not always legal

dog with carer

Pet support services in Australia during tough times

Many Australians with pets are facing hardship and uncertainty, and there are caring animal services available to lend a helping hand to prevent having to surrender or abandon pets.

FOUR PAWS organised an action on June 8th at Nike´s main European Logistic Campus in Laakdal, Belgium

Over 50,000 sport enthusiasts want 50-year-jubilee Nike to stop using cruel wool

FOUR PAWS welcomes strong signal and urges market leader to switch to certified wool to help prevent the mutilation of lambs

FOUR PAWS loading pet food supplies into a train headed to Ukraine

A second delivery of 20 tonnes of food for zoo animals in Ukraine

FOUR PAWS partners with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) to provide relief for war-torn zoos

Hens

Tenth Annual Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare

Four out of five companies have policies in place, but the food industry must move faster to deliver meaningful welfare impacts

Argentinian Train Tigers arriving at LIONSROCK

From Argentina to South Africa: ‘Train Tigers’ Feel Grass Under Their Paws for the First Time

FOUR PAWS transfers four rescued tigers to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Orangutans Amalia and Eska

Borneo: First ORANGUTAN FOREST SCHOOL graduates prepare for 2022 release into the wild

FOUR PAWS orangutan project combines species, environment, and climate protection

Emergency transfer of five bears

Emergency seven bear transfer in Ukraine, support for pets fleeing with Ukrainian refugees to neighbouring countries

FOUR PAWS takes in bears from partner organisation in Kyiv region

Sheep in a barn

The United Nations Environment Assembly Begins, With Historic Nexus Resolution on the Table

Major UN summit opening session begins with key votes to come on historic nexus resolution later in the week

Dog and cat in home

Cuddling With Pets

Snuggling is not only good for us, but also for the animals we share our lives with

Mink

Dolce&Gabbana Goes Fur-Free

FOUR PAWS, applauds iconic fashion brand showing more compassion in fashion

‘Train tigers’ fly towards better life:

‘Train tigers’ fly towards better life:

FOUR PAWS rescues four tigers after more than 15 years in train carriage

Scared dog

New Year's Eve: Minimising Your Pet's Stress

A guide for owners of dogs, cats, birds and small rodents

Cow and calf

"Watershed moment": Historic animal welfare resolution adopted at United Nations Environment Assembly

FOUR PAWS is on the ground at the vote for the Resolution which highlights the nexus between animal welfare, environment, and sustainable development

Fox Zoe

Moncler drops animal fur and joins Fur Free Retailer

Global animal welfare organisation, FOUR PAWS, welcome decision that luxury brand goes fur free

A tiger kept in a small cage

‘Year of the Tiger?’: New report reveals South Africa's global big cat problem

New FOUR PAWS report reveals South Africa’s key role in cruel global big cat trade

Happy Turkey

How to Have a Cruelty-free Feast

FOUR PAWS recommends animal-friendly food alternatives

Foster dog

How Fostering Helps to Save Lives?

You are helping the animal shelter, the animal, and yourself!

Enrichment for Big Cats

Enrichment for Big Cats

An important part of animal management in human care allowing them to act out natural species behaviour

Dog sitting under a Christmas tree

5 Animal-Friendly Ideas for Christmas

A Guide for Animal Lovers

Live animal markets

What is ZOONOSES?

Watch, learn and find out about this important topic in less than 3 minutes.

Dog tied outside of shop

Keep Your Pets Safe from Theft

Stolen dogs are becoming a significant problem in many countries

Asiatic black bear Cam

Rescue Bear Cam

After being locked away behind iron bars, there is a bright future for the Asiatic black bear

The Truth about Fur

The Truth About Fur

Even a fur trim comes from extreme cruelty to animals

Dog in a cage

National Tourism Boards engaged in campaign to #ProtectMillions

Every year, over 10 million dogs and cats are slaughtered across Southeast Asia for the dog and cat meat trade.

Live animal markets

What is ZOONOSES?

Watch, learn and find out about this important topic in less than 3 minutes.

Baby Orangutan Bhima

Rescue Orangutan Bhima

With a broken arm and no mother, baby orangutan Bhima needs special care

Bad keeping conditions of bears in Vietnam

Bear farming hotspot Hanoi

Over 160 bears still suffer in Vietnam’s capital despite bear bile ban

Tigers Jasper and Jade

Seaview tigers moved to safe new forever home

On the 22nd of June 2021, two Siberian tigers were translocated in an emergency rescue operation from Seaview Predator Park in Port Elizabeth, to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in the Free State Province.

Dogs in Cambodia

Historic opportunity for pandemic treaty must not be missed

FOUR PAWS calls on WHO member states to prevent future pandemics

Merino sheep

Sporting brand Puma commits to mulesing-free future, following talks with FOUR PAWS

Puma follows similar moves by Calvin Klein and Marks & Spencer to commit to mulesing-free deadline of 2025

Ha Dong Market, Hanoi, Vietnam

One Welfare

The rise of the recent COVID-19 pandemic reminds us how interconnected animal welfare, human wellbeing and the environment are

Bear at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

#BehindTheScenes at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

Animal Caretaker Sabine Steinmeier gives us an exclusive look behind the scenes at the sanctuary

What to Do if Your Dog Goes Missing

What to Do if Your Dog Goes Missing

Guide for dog lovers: What you can do if your dog has run away

A pride of lions

Animals in Groups

From gaggle to gaze, from troop to parade – discover the unusual and funny collective animal names

Animal transport ship

Victorian legal clinic launched in response to puppy farming crisis

Animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS calls for better protections

Rescue Dog Lola

Rescue Dog Lola

Chained for one year, dog Lola finally gets a chance in life

Orphan Lestari

Rescue Orangutan Lestari

The orangutan orphan recovering from trauma and learning how to enjoy her life again in the ORANGUTAN FOREST SCHOOL

Rescued bears

Tips for a Loving Mother's Day

9 animal-friendly Mother's Day ideas that come from the heart

#ResetTheWorld

#ResetTheWorld: The Movement for Higher Animal Welfare. Worldwide!

How FOUR PAWS employees interpret the ten demands artistically

Live animal markets

WHO’s recent report demanding the suspension on sale of live wild animals on food markets

FOUR PAWS Statement

Katherine with rescued dog

Behind the Scenes: The Journey to a Dog and Cat Meat Slaughterhouse Closure

An insight into how we #ProtectMillions

Pitiful dog in a cage

Behind the Scenes: A Further Look at a Slaughterhouse Closure

Dr Katherine Polak tells us the delays that a slaughterhouse closure can face, and what happens once it is closed.

Milk Farm

European Commission approved 1.74 billion Euro coronavirus state aid for the Danish mink industry

FOUR PAWS Statement

Man with dog on a leash

Positive dog training

Dogs learn best with positive reinforcement

Cat

Cat Fun in Autumn

How to keep your pet busy and entertained during the cosy fall season

Veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil

World Veterinary Day

Celebrate the world class vets at the helm of our emergency rescue missions

AAI dog Kaya

Preparing Dogs for Animal Assisted Interventions

How former stray animals are prepared to become therapy dogs and help people in need

Cat in a big pet bed

A Baby Is On the Way

Preparing your cat for the arrival of a new family member

Easter bunny ears

Tips For An Animal-friendly Easter

Some Easter traditions and treats may have cruelty behind them

Rescue Bears Xuan and Mo

Rescue Bears Xuan and Mo

Kept in a basement, the Asiatic black bears were rescued from a life in darkness

Dog Suzie

Closing a House of Horror for Dogs in Cambodia

Updates following the shutting down of the worst slaughterhouse in Skun, Cambodia

Dog panting in the heat

Fake Animal Rescue Videos

How to spot orchestrated animal rescues

17 years in a dark, windowless basement

17 years in a dark, windowless basement

FOUR PAWS rescues two former bile bears in Vietnam

Kangaroo on road

Avoiding Wildlife Accidents

How to prevent collisions with wild animals – and what to do in case of an emergency

Angora

The Cruel Reality behind Angora Wool

How angora rabbits suffer horrendously for luxury fashion

Pig farming

One year after WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic

FOUR PAWS calls on responsible organisations and governments to improve the human-animal relationship to prevent future pandemics

The Penjaga and Pengasuh - The Orangutan Guardians

The Penjaga and Pengasuh – The Orangutan Guardians

Meet the 'foster mothers' who are caring for the orphans of the Bornean rainforest

Live animal transport of cattle

Tragedy at sea continues: The "Elbeik" sails back to the EU after an odyssey of almost three months with 1,776 cattle on board

FOUR PAWS already reported on the killing of the 895 young bulls of "Karim Allah” this Sunday

Dog in small cage in slaughterhouse, Cambodia

One million dogs killed: FOUR PAWS closes major slaughterhouse in Cambodia, rescuing 16 dogs on site

Rescue comes a week after interception of 61 dogs in a minivan in Siem Reap

Cages of laying hens

Dr Jane Goodall calls on EU to end cage farming across Europe

The letter to the European Commission is signed by more than 140 international scientists

Dogs rescued

Slaughterhouse-bound minivan carrying 61 dogs intercepted in Cambodia

FOUR PAWS steps in to assist Cambodian authorities in first ever interception of dogs being taken for the dog meat trade

Fur fox

Internationally renowned sports brand Adidas joins fur-free initiative

FOUR PAWS welcomes newest member in the Fur Free Retailer program

Dog in shelter

Despite COVID-19 restrictions: FOUR PAWS distributes 10 tonnes of food to starving animals in Lebanon

Hundreds of animals were left homeless after the devastating explosion in Beirut in August

Rescue Dog Stafida

Rescue Dog Stafida

The miraculous survival of a dog who was struck by a train

Group of stray dogs

The Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Approach

The only humane and sustainable solution to protect millions of stray dogs and cats worldwide

Mink in a cage

COVID-19 in fur farms and global fur bans

Major milestones in 2020 in banning fur worldwide, accelerated by COVID-19 hotspots in fur farms

Cat in a cage

Stolen. Killed. Eaten.

End the dog and cat meat trade! Read our newest updates here!

Bears hugging

Show Your Love for Animals this Valentine's Day

Five animal-friendly tips to make your heart beat faster this Valentine's Day

Bear Dushi in BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

Summer in our Sanctuaries

Beautiful pictures of our rescued animals enjoying the season

Lion Lenci

Farewell dear Lenci

We say a sad goodbye to Lenci, our resident lion at FELIDA Big Cat Centre

Lion at LIONSROCK

12 Facts About Big Cats

How much do you know about these powerful feline predators?

Happy dog

Animal Welfare and COVID-19

What you need to know to take care of your animals during and after COVID-19?

Bear Sang - rescued former bile bear

Rescued 7 Bile Bears

Update of our newest rescued bears at BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh

Dog at home

Become a Foster Carer

Find out, if pet fostering is for you

Tiger

Worldwide Bans on Wild Animals in Circuses

Bans or restrictions on the keeping of animals in circuses

Chickens in a barn

New Year’s Resolution

For the animals, the planet and for you

Puppy in a shelter

The Beauty of Adoption

Adopting a pet is a wonderful process

7 bile bears rescued

Rescue Seven Bile Bears

Asiatic black bears La, Lam, Sang, Dua, Khe, Oi and Xoai begin their new lives at BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh

An orphaned kangaroo in Australia

What to do if you find injured wildlife in Australia

A guide for how to help injured wildlife in Australia

Dog under a shade

Pets and heatwaves in Australia: Make a safety plan today

A guide on how you can prepare a pet emergency plan

Koala in Australia

Australia's animals and the threat of bushfires

How to help animals during bushfire season, and the importance of preparation, recovery and rehabilitation

Mena Suvari and Fur Free Alliance partner for anti-fur video

The new PSA from writer and director Dustin Brown shines a spotlight on the bloody fur trade

Dog during Carnival

Carnival: No Fun For Animals

FOUR PAWS gives tips on what pet owners should look out for

Roe buck Ruffy

Rescue Roe Deer Fawn Ruffy

An orphaned roe fawn in a meadow who fought to live!

Jambolina looks over her new home

Rescue Bear Jambolina

After many years in the circus, a new life is finally beginning for the brown bear

Elephant Kaavan

The FOUR PAWS review 2020

Only with your help, this was possible. Watch the video!

Golden retriever puppy outdoors on a sunny day

10 Tips to Recognise a Responsible Puppy Seller.

FOUR PAWS advice on what to look out for when you are buying a puppy

Mink in a cage

COVID-19 in fur farms and global fur bans

Major milestones in 2020 in banning fur worldwide, accelerated by COVID-19 hotspots in fur farms

Bear Michal

Our Stories

Find out more about our work

Group of geese

Get involved

Be part of our mission to end animal suffering

Stray dogs

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