Help for big cats

FOUR PAWS believes that big cats should not be kept as pets or for entertainment purposes, as these wild animals suffer in captivity under inadequate keeping conditions including lack of expert care, frequent travelling, training and intensive interaction with humans. Unfortunately, thousands of big cats still live under very poor conditions in circuses, zoos and in private ownership. Uncontrolled breeding causes ‘surplus’ animals that either end up dead or (illegally) traded to unsuitable places.

FOUR PAWS calls for the improvement

of legal standards regarding the keeping conditions in certified zoological facilities and sanctuaries and demands the ban of other forms of captivity. Devising solutions for unwanted and illegally kept big cats plays a crucial role in our work.

Tamer and tiger in a circus

Suffering on Tour: Wild Animals in Circuses

Animal abuse for entertainment is still happening throughout the world

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Two lion cubs in Bulgaria

Wild Animals in Zoos

Accommodating animals according to their needs

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Tiger cub

Animal Welfare and Tourism

Selfies taken with bears in chains, on the back of an elephant or petting lion cubs. Animal welfare should not stop on holiday

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SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGNS!

Help us to end the keeping of big cats in conditions unsuited to the species

Distressed lion cub being held by a man

Big cat reporting tool

If you have witnessed any online exploitation of big cats, please report it using our form

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Transfer tiger Caruso

Tiger King – everyone is watching, no one is acting

The truth behind Joe Exotic and Tiger King season 2 on Netflix! 

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cub petting

Big Cats on Breeding Farms

The truth behind the tourist attraction of cuddling and walking with a lion cub

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#RuthlessTrade

#RuthlessTrade

It’s closer than you think! 

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Lion in South Africa

Canned ‘Trophy’ Hunting Is the Killing of Lions for Pleasure

Why animals are bred to be killed in South Africa

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Lioness in Sudan

FAQ's on Big Cat Rescue Missions

Learn more about how we help suffering big cats across the world

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our Big cat sanctuaries

We provide species-appropriate homes for rescued big cats all over the world.

Lioness Neida at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

A FOUR PAWS project in South Africa since 2006

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Tigress Varvara at TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

A cooperation between FOUR PAWS and TIERART e.V. in Germany since 2013

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Tigress Dehli at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

Our FOUR PAWS wild animal project in the Netherlands since 2014

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Al Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife

Al Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife

A partnership project between Princess Alia Foundation and FOUR PAWS in Jordan

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Meet some of our rescued big cats

Lion Ivan-Asen in FELDIA 2018

Rescue Lion Ivan-Asen

Rescued from a zoo in Bulgaria and brought to our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary


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Lion Lenci in FELIDA

Rescue Lion Lenci

This lion is a true fighter: his story from 'Europe's worst zoo' to a happy life


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Tiger Caruso

Rescue Tiger Caruso

As you know, this beautiful tiger moved from our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in March 2019


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Lion at LIONSROCK

Rescue Lions Motan and Pisa

Motan and Pisa have settled in incredibly well at our project LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary & Lodge! 


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Lion in LIONSROCK

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