Blogs & News

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

        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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        bear sleeping in grass

        March Napness 2024

        The Sleepiest Bear Competition is back. Who will be crowned the champion of sleep?

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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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        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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        Bile bear in a cage

        History of the Bile Bear Trade in Vietnam

        Getting all remaining bile bears to safety and shutting down farms across Vietnam

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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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        Cattle inside a barn

        Into the Ashes

        Every single year, millions of animals worldwide burn to death in barn fires.

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        Stray dog in Moldova

        Hope for Moldova's Stray Dogs

        Artist Sophie Gamand joined the FOUR PAWS team on a Stray Animal Care programme in Moldova.

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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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        Bear Michal and Tapsi

        March Napness 2023

        Which bear will be the champion of sleep?

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        Veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil and Kaavan

        World Veterinary Day

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

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        FOUR PAWS earthquake relief in Syria

        Seven Hours in Syria to Deliver Aid for Animals

        Fabian Chaundy · 14.3.2023

        FOUR PAWS travels to Syria to deliver 20 tonnes of farm animal feed and 3.6 tonnes of dog and cat food to the city of Jindires. Read more.

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        Child holding baby goat at small farm in Türkiye

        Saving Lives and Livelihoods in Rural Türkiye

        Fabian Chaundy · 9.3.2023

        The FOUR PAWS Rapid Response Mission in Türkiye delivers feed and aid to animals affected by the earthquakes. Blog by Fabian Chaundy.

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        Release at LIONSROCK

        The Women Fighting for Animals Around the Globe

        Meet some of the FOUR PAWS female animal guardians

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        Stray dogs in Chișinău, Moldova

        Setting the Record Straight on Spaying/Neutering Myths

        World Spay Day advocates spaying and neutering as a proven means of saving lives

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        Rescuers holding puppies trapped by earthquake debris

        Rescuing Animals Trapped by Earthquakes

        Jackson Zee · 23.2.2023

        It's a race against time

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        Bears Amelia and Meimo at Arosa Bear Sanctuary

        Love is in the Air

        Meet the happy rescued animal couples who call our sanctuaries home

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        Cat Kisa is sitting under a car

        The Story of Cat Kisa

        Support even in the most difficult times – Project Kishka

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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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        Tigress Jade at LIONSROCK

        What does the future look like for big cats after CoP19?

        Key decisions from the global wildlife trade summit

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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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        Factory farmed pigs

        COP27 Fails to Produce Transformative Change

        Sophie Aylmer · 2.12.2022

        Food systems make up a third of manmade greenhouse gases, so why did COP27 fail to deliver on this fundamental issue? Find out more!

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        Lion Simba

        The Next Pandemic Is Coming

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

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        Kitten held by woman

        How Help For Stray Animals Kept Hope Alive

        Manuela Rowlings · 17.10.2022

        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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        Tiger Bela

        Reading Between the Stripes

        Myth-busting facts about tigers

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        Caged tiger lying in concrete room

        Big Cat Trade: The Thin Line Between Legal and Illegal Trade

        Ruxandra Cracea · 22.9.2022

        Tigers are on the brink of extinction. How did this happen and how does the trade industry work? What is the difference between legal and illegal trade?

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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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        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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        Bears Emma and Erich swimming at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach

        #BehindTheScenes at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach

        Animal caretaker and administration supporter, Gerlinde Mairhofer gives us an exclusive look behind the scenes at the sanctuary! ​​​​​​​

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        Bear Ida at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

        #BehindTheScenes at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

        Susanne Penschke tells us more about her job as an animal caretaker at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz 

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        Lion Nikola at FELIDA

        #BehindTheScenes at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

        Afien Groenhof-Westra is an animal caretaker at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary and gives us an exclusive look behind the scenes 

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        Chico

        Laura’s Story

        Little Chico was sold with neither passport, nor proof of vaccination, and with a deadly disease

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        Tiger and lions

        CITES CoP19: The conference deciding the future of big cats

        A blog post by Vanessa Amoroso, Head of Wild Animals in Trade at FOUR PAWS

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        Dog Helga

        Helga's Story

        Always remembered – FOUR PAWS dog Helga was rescued from the illegal puppy trade 

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        Puma

        Puma's Story

        Special in every way – cat Puma was a fighter

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        Dog Harald

        Harald's Story

        The greatest love and the greatest loss!

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        Tigress Varvara at TIERART

        #BehindTheScenes at TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

        Chief Animal Caretaker for Big Cats, Christopher Nunheim, gives us an exclusive look behind the scenes at the wild animal sanctuary in Germany

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        Bella

        Anonymous Story

        Without her vital vaccinations, Bella fell ill with canine parvovirus and her family did everything they could to save her

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        The Penjaga and Pengasuh - The Orangutan Guardians

        The Penjaga and Pengasuh – The Orangutan Guardians

        Dr Signe Preuschoft and the Forest School Team · 2.6.2022

        Meet the 'foster mothers' who are caring for the orphans of the Bornean rainforest

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        A horse being whipped in Petra park

        Working Horses of Petra Get Much Needed Care After COVID-19 Lockdown

        Our team arrive in Jordan to provide medical attention 

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        Elina's Story

        Elina’s Story

        Poor breeding conditions left both of Elina’s puppies fighting for their lives

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        Reggie

        Richard's Story

        Reggie immediately became seriously unwell, leading to Richard starting a campaign against the illegal puppy trade

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        Poppy

        Christine's Story

        After 8 long months of emotional turmoil and stress, Christine is still dealing with the ramifications of the illegal puppy trade

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        Bear Dushi at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

        #BehindTheScenes at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

        Animal Caretaker Bianca Wöhlke gives us a look behind the scenes at the German bear sanctuary

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        Sheep with lambs in a barn

        Farm Highlight: The future is non-mulesed

        How an Australian wool producing family successfully ended the painful practice of mulesing

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        Chickens on broiler farm

        Human, Animal & Planetary Health

        Developing the international pandemic instrument

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        Three raccoon dogs in a cage

        "A Kill from Kitz"

        FOUR PAWS reveals the truth behind Sportalm's fur greenwashing.

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        AAI Dog Busia

        FOUR PAWS Ukraine Receives Award for Animal Assisted Interventions Project

        Ian Petinov and the AAI Ukraine Team · 18.1.2022

        Recognising the positive contribution made to animal and human welfare in Vinnytsia

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        Cara at TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

        #BehindTheScenes at TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

        Site Manager, Florian Eiserlo, gives us an exclusive look behind the scenes at the German wild animal sanctuary.

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        Rescued puppy

        2021: a Good Year in the Fight Against the Illegal Puppy Trade

        The main successes towards ending the illegal puppy trade in Europe during 2021 

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        Sheep in field

        Wool Supplier Highlight: ‘The Schneider Group’ helps to end mulesing

        The company's sustainability manager explains their journey to sheep-friendly practices

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        Australian Merino sheep

        Progress in Australia: Economic study shows switching to non-mulesed sheep is a success

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

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        Merino sheep in a field

        Brand Highlight: ORTOVOX Wool Promise

        How the German mountain sports brand is leading the way to happy sheep and happy customers 

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        Puma Tikam at TIERART

        #BehindTheScenes at TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

        Chief Animal Caretaker Tim Zeller gives us a look behind the scenes at the German wild animal sanctuary

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        Vincent & Roman at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

        #BehindTheScenes at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

        In this interview the animal caretaker Erin Timmer gives us an exclusive look behind the scenes!

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        Lion at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

        #BehindTheScenes at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

        Curator Juno van Zon gives us an exclusive look behind the scenes at the sanctuary! ​​​​​​​

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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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        Mink

        From Rooftops to Retailers

        FOUR PAWS, one of the world’s largest animal welfare organisations, began because of fur

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        Stop the Illegal Puppy Trade

        The Illegal Puppy Trade – Can Technology Stop the Suffering?

        Joanna Randall · 23.8.2021

        FOUR PAWS joins forces with classified ad sites to protect pets using new technology piloted in Ireland

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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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        Stray dogs in Ukraine

        Hope for a Better Tomorrow for Strays

        Three important projects to ending stray animal suffering in Eastern Europe

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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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        Live animal transport at sea

        Tragedies at Sea – Cartagena and Suez Canal

        Unimaginable suffering of the thousands of animals trapped onboard livestock vessels

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        Stray animal care of dogs in Thailand

        Dogs of the Jungle

        Dr Katherine Polak · 23.3.2021

        Our stray animal care team set on a mission to help stop the suffering of Thailand's rural dog populations

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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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        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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        The giga soy ship, arriving in Amsterdam

        FOUR PAWS Team Document the Arrival of The World’s Largest Soy Shipment

        The huge environmental impacts of South American soy imports used as animal feed in European factory farms

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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 Sunshine

        A Story of a Fisherman and His Sunshine

        Dr Katherine Polak · 21.8.2020

        Help came during tough times for one fisherman, his family and his dogs.

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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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        Three Australian sheep

        Producers Say Non-mulesing Improves Sheep Welfare

        New economic report highlights financial and sheep welfare success of wool producers who have ended mulesing

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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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        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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        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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        Bears James and Freddie playing

        The Police Check That Changed A Bears Life

        Emily Lloyd · 13.7.2020

        When a routine police stopped a taxi in Vietnam - they were shocked with what was laying on the back seat.

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        Rebecca at LIONSROCK

        Influencing Millions Through a Passion for Fitness

        Rebecca Louise · 2.7.2020

        Influencer Rebecca Louise shares travelling with a purpose

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        Helping animals following Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico

        Hurricane Season in a time of COVID-19

        Jackson Zee · 9.6.2020

        The potential of a very dangerous season in the midst of a pandemic

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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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        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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        The team on Silk Island

        Stray Animal Care on Silk Island: Working at 36 Degrees Celsius

        Andreas Rainer · 18.3.2020

        Medical care for over 500 animals in Kambosha, Silk Island in Cambodia.

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        Foster mother and orphaned orangutan

        What is it like to be a Foster Mother to Orangutans?

        Dr Signe Preuschoft and the Forest School Team · 13.2.2020

        Orphan orangutans need around the clock care, our caregivers act as foster mothers to the apes in need

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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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        A cruel Journey

        A Cruel Journey

        This is a true story - our investigators recount the terrifying journey animals experience in the dog and cat meat trade. This text narrates the extremely..

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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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        Dogs in cage

        Ground Zero of the Cambodian Dog Meat Trade

        A moments decision between life or death: Neary and Sopol get a second chance!

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        Woman

        Style and Compassion

        Animal protection the new ethical fashion frontier

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        Woman wearing fur trim coat

        Think Fur is Green? Think Again!

        Why fur is not the eco-friendly choice

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        Prada Group Prada Group goes fur free

        Great success: Prada becomes fur-free and joins the Fur Free Retailer program!

        Our campaign, launched together with the Fur Free Alliance 2018 caused the entire Prada Group to no longer use real fur for the summer collection 2020.

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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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        Why we are celebrating International Disaster Risk Reduction Day

        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

        Last Day on Lombok

        Jackson Zee · 28.8.2018

        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?

        What would life be without water?

        Jackson Zee · 20.6.2018

        In wake of the impending "Day Zero" in Cape Town, South Africa, FOUR PAWS have developed a plan for disaster relief work.

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        Tiger at LIONSROCK

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