Blogs

Find out more about our on-site operations, read up on animal-related topics and receive regular updates from our FOUR PAWS experts.

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Mike and Tulani at LIONSROCK

Love is in the Air

Meet the happy rescued animal couples who call our sanctuaries home

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Two young lambs in a field

Nan Bray: The Compassionate Woolgrower

A high welfare sheep farm free from live lamb cutting helping to chart a new course for Australian wool

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Lambs on a field

The FOUR PAWS Guide for Gifting Kind Fashion in 2024

This season, use our Wear It Kind Directory to help you give the gift of kind fashion

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Stray cat receiving food in Beirut, Lebanon

Our Work in Lebanon

FOUR PAWS has been protecting animals in Lebanon since 2019

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Dog laying on couch with owner

Change The Picture by Being Kind

To #LiveKinder we need to make better choices to transform our values and the world around us.

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Portrat of dog Cleo from the 'From Stray to Star' Photo exhibition

From Stray to Star Photo Exhibition

A new chapter for Moldova's stray dogs as they take the limelight in an exhibition

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Black dog standing in a Cambodian backyard

Sunrise Surveys: Mapping Cambodia’s Stray Dog Populations

Matt Backhouse · 22.10.2024

FOUR PAWS took to the streets of Siem Reap to gather data on the province’s stray dogs.

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Set for the animation of the 'Be Their Voice' video

Behind the Scenes of 'Be Their Voice'

Creating the animation to help save millions of lambs

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A group of young lambs

Broken Promises, Broken System

Why 140 million lambs have suffered while the Wool Industry stalls

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Couple enjoying a vegetarian meal

A beginner's guide to becoming a vegetarian

World Vegetarian Day is observed globally on 1 October to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism

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Hildegard Pirker, Sanctuary Manager LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Our Female Guardians Worldwide

In a world where animal cruelty is still at play, our strong female guardians that make it their mission to bring the suffering of animals to an end.

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Tiger mural in New York

Creating Art for Animal Advocacy

FOUR PAWS partners with artist Sonny Sundancer to paint a tiger mural in New York City

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Images of former President Nelson Mandela and his dog Gompo

Gear up for the Mandela Day Gompo Challenge!

9 Ways to #LiveKinder alongside man’s best friend this Mandela Day

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Lambs standing in a field

Introducing the Term ‘Live Lamb Cutting’ to Replace Mulesing

FOUR PAWS alongside leading animal protection groups are calling on brands, industry stakeholders, politicians and the public to adopt the term

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Next gen mycelium materials on display at the ISPO conference in Munich

Fashion Forward: Next Generation Materials

Next generation materials are both animal friendly and strive for sustainability

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Dog and cat meat trade investigation in Vietnam

Highway to Hell

An investigation into the illegal trade of dogs and cats through Ha Tinh province, Vietnam

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Cat at a free vaccination drive in Hoi An, VietnamCat at a free vaccination drive in Hoi An, Vietnam

FOUR PAWS in Hoi An, Vietnam

A 2-Year Journey Towards a Dog and Cat Meat-Free City

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Two shelter staff members with rescued dog

Caring for Dogs Rescued from the Dog Meat Trade

When 61 dogs were put into our care practically overnight, two of our amazing staff members came to their rescue.

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Dog Apollo

From Cage to California

Dogs saved from Cambodian dog meat trade, take 'Freedom Flights' to U.S. for Adoption

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Fox on a fur farm in Poland

Interview with SLAY Director Rebecca Cappelli

In this interview, SLAY documentary director Rebecca Capelli talks about animal cruelty in fashion, her documentary and what gives her hope for the future

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Geese in the snow

Achieving Animal Welfare in Fashion in 2023

With 2023 soon wrapping up, we are proud to showcase many highlights and wins for animal welfare in fashion over the last year.

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A white and brown dog behind rusty metal bars

South Korea Announces Ban on the Consumption of Dog Meat

Nick Weston · 28.11.2023

In a historic move, South Korea is paving the way for other countries to follow suit

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A flock of sheep in South Africa

Big Names in Fashion Rated for Their Impact on Animals

International animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has released the third edition of its Animal Welfare in Fashion report.

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Minks in a cage at a fur farm

#FurFreeEurope: Activities and Achievements of 2022

Find out what has been accomplished since the launch of the ECI

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Dogs in a small cage awaiting slaughter

Two Million People Unite to End the Dog and Cat Meat Trade

The FOUR PAWS campaign to end the dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia has received overwhelming global support: two million people demanded an end!

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Taming Fashion: An Urgent Call to Reduce Animal Use in Fashion Sustainability Report Cover | 2023

FOUR PAWS Launches ‘Taming Fashion’ Report

A two-part report series that reveals the broad environmental and animal welfare costs of utilising animals for fashion

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Sanctuary Spotlight – Lifesaving LIONSROCK

How LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary provides lifesaving and life changing medical care for big cats

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Down, leather, wool, fur – the suffering is immense and animal welfare largely goes unchecked

Animal Use in Fashion and Little Oversight of Welfare

A whopping five billion animals are used for fashion every year. Many customers remain unaware of the suffering inflicted on animals in this industry.

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Veterinarian Dr Frank Göritz in Khan Younis Zoo in the Gaza Strip

World Veterinary Day

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

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Chef Frank Salentyn at LIONSROCK

Chef Frank gives a new spin to the LIONSROCK menu

New LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary chef, Frank Salentyn, reshaping the menu with dishes in a sustainable gourmet style

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The Golden Pride enjoys Valentine's Day enrichment

#GoldenPride happy together in their bigger enclosure

The pride of ten lions relocated from a Gauteng breeding facility to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary is often led by the Fabulous Four in their playful exploration of their new, bigger enclosure

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Weak it Kind_Cow in pasture

FOUR PAWS says put cruelty-free fashion centre-stage

Campaigns Officer, Bertha Moteane says FOUR PAWS South Africa will be seeking to end the use of animal-derived materials by the fashion world and pushing for materials that are kinder to animals.

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Leopard Tulani at LIONSROCK

Big cats: A tale of tails

Flicking… wagging… steering… swishing…A big cat’s tail sure has its own tale to tell.

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Geena, Ellie, Dolf, Roman and Vincent at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

The FOUR PAWS young lions roar away

The almost one-year-old Nikola and the five three-year-old siblings are thriving in their forever homes at FOUR PAWS Big Cat Sanctuaries and giving much joy to all!

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Argentinian Train Tigers arriving at LIONSROCK

2022 Rescues & Milestones

Let's take a look back at the biggest rescues & milestones of 2022. From bears and big cats to dogs and cats, we fight for Animal Welfare. Worldwide.

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Campaign against the DCMT in Vietnam

Make animal welfare the focus of your New Years resolutions

Together, we can make the world wonderful #LiveKinder.

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Fiona Miles_FOUR PAWS Director of South Africa

The year 2022 in review by our Director, Fiona Miles

For the Director of FOUR PAWS in South Africa, Fiona Miles, 2022 was the year that the largest number of big cats, ever, at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, could be released.

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Cat and dog on bed

The 72-hours festive pet safety guide

Things to do 72-hours before the 25th

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X-Mas Picture DFP 2017

The ultimate cruelty-free gift guide

The perfect gift guide for the holiday shopper who is a compassionate perfectionist who wants to give a cruelty-free gift

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White and grey fox laying in the snow

Making Fashion Kinder in 2022 and Beyond

The holidays are just around the corner. Enjoy our animal-friendly gifting tips and some key events that brought more compassion in the fashion industry.

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A piggery - many pigs in small confined metal stalls

COP27 Fails to Produce Transformative Change

Sophie Aylmer · 2.12.2022

The climate emergency demands a solidarity pact amongst nations - not a quick fix

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Tom enjoys his paper mache snowman for holiday enrichment at LIONSROCK.

Join the big cats of LIONSROCK advent countdown

How about having an animal welfare advent countdown to the 25th with the big cats of LIONSROCK by doing small and big acts for animal welfare during the countdown? 

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Lion Lubumbashi at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

The Weigh-in: Who is the biggest big cat at LIONSROCK?

When it comes to size, not all the big cat species are equal with some, so to say, pulling their weight a little bit more than others.

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Lion Simba | Picior del Munte, Romania | September 2021

The next pandemic is coming

Can anything be done at CITES CoP19 to help prevent it? 

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Goose farm in Poland

FOUR PAWS Reveals Animal Cruelty in Fashion

New footage shows live plucking is still happening for feather and down

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Kitten held by woman

How Help For Stray Animals Kept Hope Alive

Manuela Rowlings · 27.10.2022

FOUR PAWS Stray Animal Care Ukraine: The life of a stray animal is a tough one. Strays are vulnerable to hunger, illness, injuries, and mistreatment.

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Curator of FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary Juno Van Zon inspects lions Roman, Vincent, Dolf, Ellie and Geena at LIONSROCK

A happy reunion for big cat sanctuary curator at LIONSROCK

Juno van Zon's South African visit gave him a chance to see how other big cats formerly transferred under his care are doing.

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Cows and calves

Facts to help you treat farm animals compassionately

Four facts about farm animals that will help you learn how these animals function, and how to treat them.

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School group being taken on a tour on LIONSROCK

Animal welfare awareness sessions inspire communities

World Animal Day is an international day of action for animal welfare celebrated annually on the 4th of October, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals

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LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary accommodation general tourism image

Make every braai a plant-based feast!

Try a plant-based feast with family and friends this National Braai Day on the 24th of September! 

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Poland | 2022 03 | Mink Farm in Poland.

Documentary exposes animal welfare horrors of the fashion industry

A review by Elize Parker, Public Relations Officer for FOUR PAWS in South Africa on the the globally premiered documentary, SLAY. 

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Animal caregiver and dog Jackson cuddling

So much more than a job

Sary Dit · 20.9.2022

Early one morning in 2021, dog caretaker Sary woke up to a call from a colleague. A minivan carrying 61 dogs headed for slaughter in had been intercepted.

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A veterinary team supported by the PDSA and FOUR PAWS successfully took on the arid landscape near Bitterfontein in Namaqualand to sterilise more than 150 animals

Vet and PDSA take hands with FOUR PAWS in successful spay drive

A veterinary team supported by the PDSA and FOUR PAWS successfully took on the arid landscape near Bitterfontein in Namaqualand to sterilise more than 150 animals

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Rescued lamb at farm sanctuary

Animal-Friendly Fashion Collection at Where Pigs Fly Farm Sanctuary

Global and local fashion brands at a special Wear it Kind photoshoot

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Investigation into the big cat captive breeding in South Africa.

Big cats: the thin line between legal and illegal trade

Blog by Ruxandra Cracea, Wildlife Trade Campaigner, FOUR PAWS International

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Lions Geena (left), Vincent (middle) and Roman (right)

The Journey of the Quintuplets

Roman, Vincent, Dolf, Ellie and Geena are 5 siblings rescued from private keeping in Romania

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Portrait of Fiona Miles at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Fiona Miles gives a voice to forgotten big cats and animals under human influence

World Lion Day is celebrated on August 10th. Director of FOUR PAWS in South Africa, Fiona Miles’ wish for this day is to see the protection for lions and all big cats fully restored and that one day they will only be seen in the wild.

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Roman (left), Dolf (middle), Vincent (right)  at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.

In the wild or in a sanctuary, lions are proud to be a pride

Ever wondered what makes a pride proud to be a pride?  

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Ginny posing in front of sunflowers

Man’s best friend: Three trends influencing this relationship

A new kind of friendship is developing between people and dogs, as millennial dog owners become green consumers and dogwalkers

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Tiger Bela peaking out behind yellow flowers

Reading between the stripes

Myth-busting facts about tigers

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Startlight Tigers laying on the grass relaxing

Starlight Tiger Spotting … It is a real art!

Two FOUR PAWS Cape Town staff members get a lesson in tiger identification at our true sanctuary, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary 

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Tiger Mafalda of the Train Tigers at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem in South Africa.

A next step in train tiger Mafalda's journey

Teamwork at LIONSROCK as train tiger Mafalda leaves her enclosure for a clinic visit

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 View of the tiger unit at LIONSROCK

How our big cats cope in the cold

A look at a day in the life of the lions and tigers living at our True Sanctuary in the Free State during winter. 

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Dog between people in the office

Who let the dogs in?

The A-to-Z of getting the office ready for Take Your Dog To Work Day

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Woman shopping for clothing

Staying Ethically Trendy This Midwinter

The golden rules to staying ethically trendy with your fashion shopping this midwinter

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#WearitKind Model with shopping bag

How to shop kind to #WearitKind

The Do’s and Don’ts of shopping kinder to #WearitKind

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Tigers and lions behind a fence

CITES CoP19: The conference deciding the future of big cats

Blog by Vanessa Amoroso, Head of Wild Animals in Trade at FOUR PAWS International

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LIONSROCK Dogs on back of bakkie

Celebrating Rescue Dog Day 2022

Bringing with it a promise of love, friendship, and kindness 

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Pride of lions at LIONSROCK

LIONSROCK family groupings so happy together

UN General Assembly proclaims 15 May, International Day of Families  

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Dr Christine Steyrer inspects a crate during the transfer of Romanian lions

The story of a LIONSROCK vet

Blog on celebrating LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, veterinarian, Christine Steyrer.

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Two lambs

Five Cool Facts about Sheep

How much do we really know about sheep and their secret lives?

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Chickens on broiler farm

Human, Animal & Planetary Health

Developing the international pandemic instrument

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Australian Merino sheep

Progress Towards a Non-Mulsesed Future and Better Sheep Welfare in Austrailia

New survey of 97 wool producers shows proven success of the non-mulesed system

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Borneo's secretive dog meat trade

Brutality Beyond the Beauty: Borneo's Secretive Dog Meat Trade

The first-ever dog meat investigations in Borneo revealed a rampant dog meat trade

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Chihuahua

How the 'Digital Services Act' could help stop the illegal puppy trade

FOUR PAWS is mobilising policy makers and supporters to amend a new EU law to ban illegal puppy dealers from online marketplaces.

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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! ​​​​​​​

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The Dog and Cat Meat Trade; A global health risk – the report

New report highlights the need to end the cruel trade and stop future pandemics emerging

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Pig in truck

One year on from COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic

What is being done to prevent future pandemics?

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Stray animal care in Romania

COVID-19 and Stray Animals

What a pandemic means for stray cats and dogs

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Dogs Daisy and Apollo

1 Million Act to #ProtectMillions!

Petition to end the dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia reaches milestone

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Lifesaving procedure performed on tiger at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

It was a matter of life and death and the odds were 50/50 for the 18-year-old tiger Tomi, which calls LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary home.

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Dog Meat Trade Indonesia

Dog Meat Trade Indonesia

Dr Katherine Polak · 24.8.2020

In Indonesia every year millions of dogs and cats are stolen from their families, crammed into cages and transported to slaughterhouses and markets.

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Dog Meat Slaughterhouse in Cambodia

Help to Close a Second Dog Meat Slaughterhouse in Cambodia

A short window of opportunity to prevent the deaths of thousands of dogs

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Dog slaughterhouse in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Disease, Death and Dog Meat – The Public Health Risk that no one wants to talk about

A first-hand account of the gruesome dog (and cat) meat trade

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Meet Caragh

Caragh Murphy · 20.7.2020

Caragh is 11 years old and dreams of one day travelling the world to help animals. 

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Big cats from war zones

In recent years, FOUR PAWS had several successful missions in rescuing big cats from war-torn countries such as Iraq, Gaza and Syria

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Hildegard Pirker: 15 years with FOUR PAWS

Celebrating 15 years of an amazing human, and the guardian of our big cats at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

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Celebrate International Tiger Day with Caragh

Caragh Murphy · 15.7.2020

On 29 July we celebrate International Tiger Day - the goal of this day is to raise awareness around tiger issues.

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Dogs at a slaughterhouse in Cambodia

Pandemics Don’t Just Affect Our Health

The economic effects of the next pandemic could set us back for years

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Why you should choose a cat

Caragh Murphy · 8.6.2020

Why you should choose a cat - especially a rescue cat!

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Let the tigers roar!

Protect them all!

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Animal Stimulation in Lockdown

Caragh Murphy · 6.5.2020

Today I want to tell you about how important animal stimulation or enrichment is. 

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Cats in a cage

The Dog and Cat Meat Trade – A Future Pandemic in Waiting?

Without change, the past will repeat itself 

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Caragh Intro

Caragh Murphy · 6.4.2020

FOUR PAWS South Africa's first Youth Ambassador!

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The Dangers of Live Animal Markets

The closure of these markets to protect people and animals is essential

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Live animal transport

Endless waiting times and cruel circumstances at borders

Live animal transports during coronavirus situation

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Slaughterhouse owner with dogs in cage

Austrian Journalist Accompanies Operation in Dog Slaughterhouse

Denise Zöhrer looks where others turn away

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Woman and dog

A Journey Across the World to Escape the Dog Meat Trade

6 Lucky Survivors Rescued, Find New Life in the U.S.

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Where the Wild Horses Live

Andreas Rainer · 16.10.2019

The Romanian wilderness in the Danube Delta is one of the few remaining places in Europe where wild horses can live free. However, their existence was at...

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Dogs in cages

51 dogs rescued from the dog meat trade in Vietnam

Asia Canine Protection Alliance helps provide medical care for confiscated dogs 

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Woman

Style and Compassion

Animal protection the new ethical fashion frontier

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The Death of Bear Sao

The Death of Bear Sao

Former Bile Bear Sao died due to internal bleeding caused by rat poisening. Our team fought for his life for more than 12 hours but was unable to save him.

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Bear transfer to Arosa

Bear transfer to Arosa

Finally at home at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary

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Ebay, stand up for puppies

Joanna Randall · 12.12.2018

Celebrities, politicians and animal welfare experts call on eBay to take action against the cruel puppy trade

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Showdown at Fier zoo

Ioana Dungler · 27.11.2018

Ioana Dungler reflects on one of our most dramatic rescue missions so far and how we managed to finally rescue the animals from "Europe's worst zoo in...

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Saved cat

Why We Are Celebrating International Disaster Risk Reduction Day

Jackson Zee · 10.10.2018

As the director of the Disaster Relief unit, I know that animals are important to all communities affected by any kind of disaster.

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No land in sight

No Land in Sight

Samantha Haider · 27.9.2018

After hurricane Florence hit the American east coast, a FOUR PAWS team set out to deliver and distribute supplies.

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Last Day on Lombok

Looking back on our 15 day mission in Indonesia

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Lombok's lost paradise

Lombok's lost paradise

Jackson Zee · 16.8.2018

Our dangerous mission to the Indonesian islands struck by earthquakes that left hundreds of animals in urgent need

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No more excuses, eBay

No more excuses, eBay

Joanna Randall · 3.8.2018

eBay is making unconvincing excuses why they do not believe in seller identity verification while illegal puppy trade is still happening on their platform.

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Brown bears Vinzenz and Liese

30 Years of FOUR PAWS

In 1988, Heli Dungler founded the internationally active animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS in Austria

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What would life be without water?

Cape Town is bracing itself for Day Zero

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