Education and Advocacy

PAWS educates the entertainment industry, public officials, enforcement agencies, the media, and the general public on critical issues related to captive wildlife, performing animals and protection of wild species and habitat.

Our Newsletter
Our newsletter, Sanctuary, informs readers about PAWS and provides updates on PAWS' program activities and important captive wildlife issues around the world.

Our Books
PAWS has published books, including: The Lady and Her Tiger; Everything You Should Know About Elephants; Surplus Animals: The Cycle of Hell; and In the Presence of Elephants. PAWS has also produced videos: Elephant Training; Out of Control; and Best Friends.

PAWS in the Media
PAWS has been featured in many programs and publications, some of which include: The Wall Street Journal; Entertainment Tonight; 20/20; The Fine Living Network; The Today Show; Good Morning America; Washington Post; The New York Times; USA Today; The LA Times, Extra; NBC Evening News; CBS Tonight; and People.

Conferences
PAWS hosts periodic conferences that feature renowned wildlife experts from around the world.   “The War on Wildlife” conferences focus on issues of human/wildlife conflicts, planning strategies for captive wildlife management, and habitat protection.  PAWS leaders also appear as keynote speakers at numerous events and conferences.

Other Affiliations
As founding members of The Association Of Sanctuaries (TAOS) and The Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition (CWAPC), PAWS is a trusted leader in the formulation and advocacy of humane guidelines for rescue, care, and housing of animals living in captivity. PAWS works cooperatively with a number of leading animal protection organizations and animal care facilities.

PAWS’ Advocacy
PAWS has a long history of working to strengthen laws that protect captive wildlife. In 1985 PAWS’ advocacy efforts were instrumental to writing and enacting the California law that bans ownership of wild animals and requires permits to restrict their breeding.

PAWS has also been one of the lead organizations to ensure the ban (in California) of such elephant discipline and training techniques as electric shock, food/water/rest deprivation, and punishment that results in the scarring or breaking of an elephant’s skin. The Department of Fish and Game appointed PAWS Director, Pat Derby, to serve on the Animal Care Advisory Committee, comprised of a panel of experts, created to ensure the humane care and treatment of captive wild animals.

PAWS continues to be a strong advocate for the passage of the Captive Wildlife Safety Act since its introduction in Congress. PAWS also monitors the interstate movement of lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, and bears for private use as “pets” and reports illegal activities to regulatory agencies.

Wildlife Classroom to the World
PAWS’ ARK2000 sanctuary not only offers spacious, natural habitats and humane care for elephants, tigers, and soon, other species, but also serves as an educational and research center.

PAWS’ Wildlife Classroom to the World, is an innovative web-based program that educates students, teachers and the public about the plight of wildlife in the wild and captivity, providing solutions and alternatives to cruel treatment and harsh management. 

PAWS works in partnership with the University of California–Davis to collaborate on various humane studies relating to biological sciences, animal science, animal behavior, zoology, animal welfare, and veterinary science. This cooperative program also provides opportunities for PAWS to participate in veterinary students’ training in the humane care of captive wild animals.

PAWS educates the public about energy conservation, conservation of wildlife habitat, and recognition of animals as individuals with a right to peace and dignity.

PAWS also addresses the problems inherent in private ownership of captive wildlife, both by individuals who want an exotic “pet” and by breeders/sellers and traders in captive wildlife parts. We utilize ARK2000’s research and prominence to examine, understand, and eliminate the roots of this pressing problem, and to communicate our activities, insights, and knowledge to diverse communities, including legislators, others involved in captive wildlife care, the media, and the general public.

The elephant and tiger habitats at ARK2000 help more than just the animals in our care – they bring immediate and compelling attention to the larger captive wildlife issues.