FOUR PAWS

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FOUR PAWS 📣 Reveal. Rescue. Protect.
🐾 Animal Welfare. Worldwide.
🌐 FOUR PAWS USA | Boston, MA Get to know us!
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For over 30 years the organization advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. From bears and big cats, orangutans and elephants, cows and pigs, to cats and dogs, our sustainable campaigns and projects focus on improving the lives of animals! We have:
• Offices in 15 countries including this one right here in Boston, Massachusetts
• 7 bear sanctuaries across Europe, one in Vietnam
• An orphan academy for baby orangutans in Borneo, Indonesia
• Stray Animal Care (SAC) unit provided spay/neutering and medical services
• Our Emergency and Disaster Response teams quite literally goes where no one else goes
• Our “pride” and joy LIONSROCK in South Africa, one of the largest Big Cat Sanctuaries in the world

For more information, visit https://www.fourpawsusa.org/

To read up on our Netiquette, please visit https://www.fourpawsusa.org/about-us/netiquette

Have you ever seen an animal pacing back and forth along the same path, walking in circles, swaying, or repeating the sa...
10/13/2026

Have you ever seen an animal pacing back and forth along the same path, walking in circles, swaying, or repeating the same movement over and over again for no apparent reason?

These repetitive actions are known as stereotypic behavior and are a clear way for animals to show that they are experiencing stress, frustration, and a lack of stimulation. 😔 These behavioral problems develop when animals are unable to meet their natural needs over a prolonged period of time and are kept in unsuitable environments.

Unfortunately, animals displaying stereotypic behavior can still be seen in a number of zoos in worldwide, where limited space, insufficient environmental enrichment, or inadequate living conditions make it difficult for them to express their natural behaviors. 🏚️🐾

To better understand why this behavior occurs, it's enough to imagine the life of a bear in the wild. 🐻🌲 There, bears spend their days moving around, searching for food, swimming, digging, climbing, and exploring vast territories. These activities are not merely pastimes but an essential and natural part of their lives.

When bears are deprived of the opportunity to engage in these species-specific behaviors, they may develop stereotypic behavior, which is a clear sign that they are unwell. ⚠️💔

This is why zoos must prioritize providing spacious enclosures that more closely resemble natural habitats. Allowing animals to express their natural behaviors is essential for modern zoos and rescue centers to meet appropriate animal welfare standards. 🌿🏞️

In Bulgaria, a great example of this approach is BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa. 🐻🌲 Many of the bears living there had previously spent years in unsuitable conditions and have showed signs of stereotypic behavior. Thanks to the spacious natural environment, the opportunity to move freely, and specialized daily care, many of them gradually regained their natural habits and showed significantly reduced signs of stress. 🌱✨🧡

Learn more about our sanctuaries and rescue work: https://www.fourpawsusa.org

A new chapter is on the horizon for Yavor. 🐻❤️After 14 years in unsuitable conditions, brown bear Yavor is one step clos...
10/13/2026

A new chapter is on the horizon for Yavor. 🐻❤️

After 14 years in unsuitable conditions, brown bear Yavor is one step closer to the life he deserves.

Yavor spent most of his life in a zoo in Bulgaria that is unable to provide him with a suitable long-term home...

But now, there's wonderful news. 🎉

Last week, the Blagoevgrad Municipal Council officially approved the donation of Yavor to FOUR PAWS, meaning he can move to our BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa and finally have the chance to experience a fulfilling, species-appropriate life.

This milestone is the result of months of communication, coordination, and cooperation between our Bulgarian colleagues and the institutions involved. Together, we have all been working towards the same goal: finding Yavor a suitable, species-appropriate forever home.

There is still plenty to do before Yavor can take his first steps into his new home, but this decision brings us one step closer. 🐾

We can't wait to take you along on the journey as we prepare to bring Yavor home.
Here's to a new chapter for Yavor. 🧸

➡️ Help us secure his future: https://donate.fourpawsusa.org/s/save-the-saddest-bears?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_campaign=save-the-saddest-bears

🇻🇪 More than three months after two major earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, its population is still suffering from ...
10/12/2026

🇻🇪 More than three months after two major earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, its population is still suffering from the devastating consequences.

🏚️ Thousands of homes were destroyed; thousands of households were displaced and while people struggle with disrupted basic services and reduced livelihoods… animals suffer too.

🚑 The need for help remains high even months after the disaster, and FOUR PAWS, with the help of our partners, sent and distributed another shipment of 20 tons: cat and dog food, vet supplies, and essential accessories for the affected animals.

After days on the road, the precious cargo arrived in La Guaira, Venezuela, where pressure is still critical in the recovery efforts. Our colleagues from 'Proyecto ALA' and their network distributed the aid over several days, bringing much-awaited relief to the animal carers and immediate assistance in the day-to-day feeding and support of thousands of animals. 🐕🐈

Medicines and veterinary supplies will make a huge difference too, as makeshift clinics and local animal welfare networks are working at full capacity to provide constant support to rescued animals who have been injured and/or displaced.

The population of strays - especially cats - has grown, as more and more emerged from the debris, creating a continuous demand for transport, care, and temporary housing.

From fearful strays to beloved community animals, from urgently taken-in extra family members to injured patients… when disasters strike, we must never forget those who can’t ask for help. ❤️‍🩹

10/11/2026

UPDATE: Sandro 🐯

Sandro’s journey began in Argentina, where he spent more than 15 years confined to a train carriage. In March 2022, he was rescued and began a new chapter in life at our LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary. 🌄

Since arriving, Sandro has embraced every moment of this chapter, enjoying his surroundings, care, and experiences he had been denied for so many years. ☀️

Years of neglect have unfortunately had a lasting impact on his health. Now 22 years old, Sandro is showing increasing signs of both his difficult past and advanced age. As the weather gets warmer in South Africa, he is moving with a little less stiffness. However, he is gradually losing muscle mass, and his age as well as his health mean that his care requires continued observation and adjustment.

To meet his needs, the onsite sanctuary team provides continuous care and medical attention. His comfort remains our priority. 💚

Sandro still goes into his night-house every night. Depending on the weather, he has access to both his house and feeding area, or just his house when it is cold and windy. Our animal caretaker team has also reduced the hours of his red-light lamp to ensure he remains comfortable and does not become too warm.

We are also continuing to give Sandro opportunities for gentle social interaction with tigress Jade. Three mornings a week, Jade is allowed into Sandro’s enclosure for around 1.5 hours. This gives the two tigers the opportunity to greet one another, interact through the shared gates, and exchange scents.

These small moments matter. ❣️

Sandro’s life at LIONSROCK has been about so much more than the years he spent in confinement. It has been about discovering grass beneath his paws, feeling the sun, exploring a spacious environment, and experiencing care tailored to his individual needs.

Now, as we enter this final chapter, our team continues to focus on what matters most: keeping Sandro comfortable, supported, and surrounded by the care he deserves.

Do you remember Lula? 🐻 Lula was one of just two surviving animals left behind in a zoo in war-torn Mosul, Iraq. She was...
10/10/2026

Do you remember Lula? 🐻

Lula was one of just two surviving animals left behind in a zoo in war-torn Mosul, Iraq. She was rescued and taken to the New Hope Centre in Amman, where she underwent rehabilitation to help her recover from the trauma she had experienced during the conflict. In early 2018, she was moved to a species-appropriate enclosure at Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife where she finally had the chance to enjoy a better life. 🌳

Now 16 years old, Lula remains the gentle and quiet bear we know and love. She enjoys cooling off in the water and taking long naps in cozy hay beds. While she can still be a little cautious, Lula is now able to enjoy life at her own pace in a peaceful environment where she feels safe and secure. 🍀

10/09/2026

LIONSROCK is a lifelong sanctuary for big cats in need, literally. 🐾❤️

As our feline residents grow older, like brothers Jengo, Maru, and Samson, they receive closer monitoring and specialized care to ensure they can enjoy their golden years in comfort. 🦁🦁🦁

Join us as our dedicated team carefully relocates them to our Special Care Unit, where they can receive the extra attention, comfort and care they deserve. 🥰

To mark this year's World Animal Day, we brought this message to the United Nations in New York. Together with our incre...
10/09/2026

To mark this year's World Animal Day, we brought this message to the United Nations in New York.

Together with our incredible partners, we hosted an inspiring panel discussion, photo exhibition, and luncheon, bringing together more than 100 attendees, including diplomats, representatives of UN bodies, civil society organizations, and academia.

Powerful speeches. Meaningful conversations. An impactful exhibition. ❤️

And one message at the heart of it all:

Animals are sentient. They feel. They experience. Their lives matter.

Recognizing animal sentience means more than changing how we see animals. It means changing how we treat them, and how we protect them.

If animals can experience pain, fear, joy, comfort, and distress, their wellbeing must be reflected in our laws, policies, and decision-making.

We're incredibly grateful to our partners, the Permanent Mission of France and UNDP, for hosting this event alongside us, and to Jo-Anne McArthur and We Animals for sharing such beautiful and impactful photographs for the exhibition.

We also thank our speakers and everyone who joined us and helped make this important conversation possible.

Together, we're bringing animal sentience into the rooms where decisions about animals are made. 🐾❤️

Let's keep looking closer. Let's keep changing the conversation.

For more information on this, check out our press release here: https://www.fourpawsusa.org/our-stories/press-releases/four-paws-co-hosts-world-animal-day-event-at-the-united-nations?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_campaign=wad-un-event-2026

An important win for animals in Switzerland! 🐾📣 The Swiss Parliament has finally passed the ban on the import and trade ...
10/09/2026

An important win for animals in Switzerland! 🐾📣

The Swiss Parliament has finally passed the ban on the import and trade of fur produced through animal cruelty! We wholeheartedly welcome this historic decision.

This success is the result of many years of commitment by numerous organizations, experts, politicians, and dedicated individuals in Switzerland who have campaigned for stronger animal protection.

This marks an important milestone for animal welfare in Switzerland. We hope that this decision will inspire other countries, like the U.S. where FOUR PAWS USA works on fur bans on the state level and help advance the protection of animals around the world. 🧡

A heartfelt thank you to all the political decisionmakers who have contributed to this achievement.

Together, we can work towards a ! 🦊

30 big cats rescued - but our work is not over! 🐯🦁 This extraordinary rescue mission has brought 30 big cats from the...
10/08/2026

30 big cats rescued - but our work is not over! 🐯🦁

This extraordinary rescue mission has brought 30 big cats from the former zoo in Luján to new lives at our LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa and The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado.

30 lives changed. 30 new beginnings. And one incredible team effort.

None of this would have been possible without our dedicated teams - or without you standing with us every step of the way! ❤️

But we know the burning question you all want an answer to:
What about the animals still in Luján?

We haven’t forgotten them.
And we won’t leave them behind.

FOUR PAWS remains responsible for the 27 big cats still in Luján, with our local team on-site continuing to care for them every single day.

With 30 animals now safely relocated, there is more space for those who remain - and more time for our staff to focus on each individual animal and their needs. However, our work is far from over.

These animals cannot stay in the former zoo.

That’s why we’re already working towards the next chapter: finding a sustainable, species-appropriate future for every big cat still waiting in Luján.

We’ll keep working.
We’ll keep caring.
And we’ll keep you with us every step of the way.

Because the story is not over yet! ❤️

Cat 'Belang' braving abdomen surgery.🇮🇩 There are many wonderful things to be found in the Sungai Wain Protected Forest,...
10/08/2026

Cat 'Belang' braving abdomen surgery.

🇮🇩 There are many wonderful things to be found in the Sungai Wain Protected Forest, but the local staff never expected to discover a young female kitten desperately searching for help. She was in heartbreaking condition and clearly in a great deal of pain. The cause of her suffering was immediately obvious: she had a severe open wound on her abdomen. 💔

We are only showing you how she looked after the surgery because the image of her wound is too graphic. 🛑

Upon examination, the veterinarians discovered that the injury had caused her abdominal muscles to separate. To give this brave little girl the best chance of recovery, they performed surgery to carefully close the wound and repair the damage.

Surgeries like this always carry risks, and recovery can be a long and difficult journey. However, Belang proved to be a true little fighter. Day by day, she grew stronger, and with each passing day, our hope for her full recovery grew.

In the end, she made a remarkable recovery and was returned to the caring hands of a staff member who welcomed this beautiful cat back with open arms. 🐱

We're so happy you made it through, Belang and look forward to updates from your new adoptive family. 🥰

Learn more about how we help stray cats and dogs: https://www.fourpawsusa.org/campaigns-topics/topics/help-for-strays?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_campaign=help-for-strays

Address

36 Bromfield Street
Boston, MA
02108

Telephone

+16179421233

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