Meet the Tigers

MEET THE ARK2000 TIGERS! All need your support to help them thrive. To find out how you can help "Feed the Tigers", click here.

$150 Annual Adoption*	CLAIRE (Siberian Tiger) Claire was one of 3 Siberian Tiger Cubs rescued and brought to the PAWS sanctuary in Galt, CA. They were on the market to be sold as pets when another animal welfare organization intervened. The cubs are now nearly adults.
$150 Annual Adoption*	GRACIE (Tiger) Gracie is an eight-year-old tiger who was seized from horrendous conditions during a raid by law enforcement agencies. She had been declawed and was in very poor health. She is adjusting well to her new surrounding and friends at PAWS.
$150 Annual Adoption*	KIM (Siberian Tiger) Kim was one of 3 Siberian Tiger Cubs rescued and brought to the PAWS sanctuary in Galt, CA. They were on the market to be sold as pets when another animal welfare organization intervened. The cubs are now nearly adults.
$150 Annual Adoption*	NELSON REDFORD (Tiger) This male tiger was one of two tigers taken from a man who had been breeding the animals and selling the cubs. Both rescued animals were in extremely poor condition and literally starving to death. Despite valiant efforts of the veterinarian team at the Houston SPCA, the pregnant female died shortly after being rescued.
$150 Annual Adoption*	ROY (Siberian Tiger) Roy was one of 3 Siberian Tiger Cubs rescued and brought to the PAWS sanctuary in Galt, CA. They were on the market to be sold as pets when another animal welfare organization intervened. The cubs are now nearly adults.

PAWS successfully relocated the 39 abused TIGERS from Colton to their spacious habitat at ARK2000!
Alka	Amelia	Artemis	Boebie	Claude	Couch
Emily	Erica	Fluffy	Ginger	Grace	Gus
Pat Jr.	Majesty	Jesus	Jay Logan	Mookie	Patty
Malabar	Winston	Peja	Pele	PK	Ray Charles
Rex	Rodney	Quiggle	Spanky	Sunita	Willie
Hammer	Mata Hari	Ravi

In April, 2003, officials executed a search warrant on a "pseudo-sanctuary" operated under the name "Colton Tiger Rescue" in Colton, California. During their search of the owner's residence they discovered 90 dead tiger carcasses, including 58 baby tigers dead in a freezer. Thirteen other cats were found barely alive. Then the state seized control of "Colton Tiger Rescue" where 54 big cats remained. Criminal charges were brought against the owner.

After enormous volunteer support, rehabilitation and a massive fundraising effort to construct ten acres of habitat at PAWS' Ark 2000 sanctuary, the rescued Colton tigers were transferred to Ark 2000.

How Can You Help?

• Adopt a Tiger (above)
• Become a PAWS Partner
• Pledge to Support PAWS - Click Here to Donate Online
• Bid on Items from Our eBay Celebrity Auction to Benefit the Tigers of Ark 2000

On July 31, 2004 PAWS welcomed our second group of tigers to ARK 2000 from the "pseudosanctuary" Tiger Rescue in Colton, California. As with the first group, all tigers traveled calmly. Many slept right through the trip, and others rested comfortably in their spacious travel cages. After allowing the tigers a few weeks to settle in and become comfortable in their new home, PAWS veterinarian Dr. Jackie Gai began to perform needed veterinary work. Routine vaccinations and deworming are being accomplished on an ongoing basis, and anesthetized physical examinations are being performed on tigers with obvious problems.

"Ray Charles" is an adult male tiger who arrived with the second group. We could tell that he had a problem with his eyes and thought he might even be blind. His eyelids were puffy, his eyes seemed crossed, and he was constantly squinting. We scheduled an examination to investigate the cause of his problems.

Ray's examination took place in late August. Dr. Gai enlisted the assistance and expertise of veterinarians from U.C. Davis. Dr. Brad Holmberg and Dr. Danielle Paglia from the Ophthalmology Service at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital performed a thorough Ophthalmic examination to determine the cause of Ray's problems. Also assisting were Dr. Scott Larsen of the Zoological Medicine Service and Dr. Anneke Moresco of U.C. Davis, and a visiting veterinarian from Colombia, Dr. Carolina Falla. With Ray safely anesthetized, the ophthalmologists found that Ray has cataracts in both eyes, as well as a condition known as "esotropia" which is also known as being "cross-eyed". Esotropia is seen in other species (dogs, domestic cats), and is believed to be a genetically heritable trait. It is not surprising that so many tigers found in roadside zoos and circumstances of uncontrolled breeding are cross-eyed, since so many of these tigers are the offspring of breeding between related individuals.

The good news is that Ray is not blind - he has limited visual acuity due to the cataracts, and probably sees "double" due to his crossed eyes, but he is doing remarkably well in his new home. Also, surgery is not recommended or necessary for his condition. PAWS extends our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the wonderful veterinarians at U.C. Davis who came out to examine Ray Charles, and for their continuing advice and support in the ongoing veterinary care of our animals. They are a tremendous resource and we are very grateful for their time and interest.

In the spring of 2005, Dr. Gai and her crew of volunteers successfully moved the final group of tigers from Colton to Ark 2000.

Tiger Update:

Sadly, two of the Colton tigers, Charlotte and Cherokee, did not survive.
 
PAWS' tiger keepers are with the animals day and night, they are never left unattended. Unfortunately, PAWS fully expects that more deaths will occur since some of the cats are quite old. They are treating all the treatable ailments, doing diagnostic exams whenever possible and providing them with round the clock care, but PAWS cannot change their history. After thirty-five years of practice, all remain devastated when an animal friend is lost. The only comfort is knowing they spent their last days in peace and dignity.

Today, the remaining 36 tigers are basking in the sun and roaming the hills of ARK2k with their companions.

*PLEASE NOTE: Adoptions are in name only. The animal does not actually go home with you. Donations made via animal adoption are used for the care, feeding and maintenance of the animals.

(209) 745-2606 office/shelter
(209) 745-1809 fax
info@pawsweb.org