Blogs

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

Veterinarian Dr Frank Göritz in Khan Younis Zoo in the Gaza Strip

World Veterinary Day

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

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Simba with caretaker Erin Timmer and Tess Kroon at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.

Our Female Guardians Worldwide

In a world where animal cruelty is still at play, our strong female guardians that make it their mission to bring the suffering of animals to an end.

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Simba with caretaker Erin Timmer and Tess Kroon at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.

Our Female Guardians Worldwide

In a world where animal cruelty is still at play, our strong female guardians that make it their mission to bring the suffering of animals to an end.

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Chef Frank Salentyn at LIONSROCK

Chef Frank gives a new spin to the LIONSROCK menu

Elize Parker · 15.2.2023

New LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary chef, Frank Salentyn, reshaping the menu with dishes in a sustainable gourmet style

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The Golden Pride enjoys Valentine's Day enrichment

#GoldenPride happy together in their bigger enclosure

Elize Parker · 10.2.2023

The pride of ten lions relocated from a Gauteng breeding facility to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary is often led by the Fabulous Four in their playful exploration of their new, bigger enclosure

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Weak it Kind_Cow in pasture

FOUR PAWS says put cruelty-free fashion centre-stage

Elize Parker · 2.2.2023

Campaigns Officer, Bertha Moteane says FOUR PAWS South Africa will be seeking to end the use of animal-derived materials by the fashion world and pushing for materials that are kinder to animals.

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Leopard Tulani at LIONSROCK

Big cats: A tale of tails

Elize Parker · 27.1.2023

Flicking… wagging… steering… swishing…A big cat’s tail sure has its own tale to tell.

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Geena, Ellie, Dolf, Roman and Vincent at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

The FOUR PAWS young lions roar away

Elize Parker · 20.1.2023

The almost one-year-old Nikola and the five three-year-old siblings are thriving in their forever homes at FOUR PAWS Big Cat Sanctuaries and giving much joy to all!

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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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Campaign against the DCMT in Vietnam

Make animal welfare the focus of your 2023 resolutions

Elize Parker · 1.1.2023

Together, we can make the world wonderful #LiveKinder.

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Fiona Miles_FOUR PAWS Director of South Africa

The year 2022 in review by our Director, Fiona Miles

For the Director of FOUR PAWS in South Africa, Fiona Miles, 2022 was the year that the largest number of big cats, ever, at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, could be released.

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Cat and dog on bed

The 72-hours festive pet safety guide

Things to do 72-hours before the 25th

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X-Mas Picture DFP 2017

The ultimate cruelty-free gift guide

The perfect gift guide for the holiday shopper who is a compassionate perfectionist who wants to give a cruelty-free gift

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Tiger 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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A piggery - many pigs in small confined metal stalls

COP27 Fails to Produce Transformative Change

Sophie Aylmer · 2.12.2022

The climate emergency demands a solidarity pact amongst nations - not a quick fix

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Tom enjoys his paper mache snowman for holiday enrichment at LIONSROCK.

Join the big cats of LIONSROCK advent countdown

How about having an animal welfare advent countdown to the 25th with the big cats of LIONSROCK by doing small and big acts for animal welfare during the countdown? 

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South Africa, LIONSROCK | 2019 12 30 | Lion Lubumbashi and his pride at LIONSROCK.

The Weigh-in: Who is the biggest big cat at LIONSROCK?

When it comes to size, not all the big cat species are equal with some, so to say, pulling their weight a little bit more than others.

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Mike and Thulani

#LiveKinder-Change the picture by being kind

World Kindness Day is celebrated today – how can showing kindness to animals change the picture for yourself, animal welfare and the planet? 

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Lion Simba | Picior del Munte, Romania | September 2021

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 · 27.10.2022

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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Curator of FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary Juno Van Zon inspects lions Roman, Vincent, Dolf, Ellie and Geena at LIONSROCK

A happy reunion for big cat sanctuary curator at LIONSROCK

Juno van Zon's South African visit gave him a chance to see how other big cats formerly transferred under his care are doing.

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Cows and calves

Facts to help you treat farm animals compassionately

Four facts about farm animals that will help you learn how these animals function, and how to treat them.

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School group being taken on a tour on LIONSROCK

Animal welfare awareness sessions inspire communities

World Animal Day is an international day of action for animal welfare celebrated annually on the 4th of October, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals

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Vegetarian Indian Food

A beginner's guide to becoming a vegetarian

World Vegetarian Day is observed globally on 1 October to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism

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LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary accommodation general tourism image

Make every braai a plant-based feast!

Try a plant-based feast with family and friends this National Braai Day on the 24th of September! 

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Poland | 2022 03 | Mink Farm in Poland.

Documentary exposes animal welfare horrors of the fashion industry

A review by Elize Parker, Public Relations Officer for FOUR PAWS in South Africa on the the globally premiered documentary, SLAY. 

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A veterinary team supported by the PDSA and FOUR PAWS successfully took on the arid landscape near Bitterfontein in Namaqualand to sterilise more than 150 animals

Vet and PDSA take hands with FOUR PAWS in successful spay drive

A veterinary team supported by the PDSA and FOUR PAWS successfully took on the arid landscape near Bitterfontein in Namaqualand to sterilise more than 150 animals

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Landscape and wildlife at LIONSROCK

Arbor Day tree plan, a roaring success

Focusing on the country’s "champion trees"

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Investigation into the big cat captive breeding in South Africa.

Big cats: the thin line between legal and illegal trade

Blog by Ruxandra Cracea, Wildlife Trade Campaigner, FOUR PAWS International

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Lions Geena (left), Vincent (middle) and Roman (right)

The Journey of the Quintuplets

Roman, Vincent, Dolf, Ellie and Geena are 5 siblings rescued from private keeping in Romania

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Fiona Miles, Director of FOUR PAWS in South Africa

Fiona Miles gives a voice to forgotten big cats and animals under human influence

World Lion Day is celebrated on August 10th. Director of FOUR PAWS in South Africa, Fiona Miles’ wish for this day is to see the protection for lions and all big cats fully restored and that one day they will only be seen in the wild.

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Roman (left), Dolf (middle), Vincent (right)  at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.

In the wild or in a sanctuary, lions are proud to be a pride

Ever wondered what makes a pride proud to be a pride?  

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Ginny posing in front of sunflowers

Man’s best friend: Three trends influencing this relationship

A new kind of friendship is developing between people and dogs, as millennial dog owners become green consumers and dogwalkers

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Images of former President Nelson Mandela and his dog Gompo

Gear up for the Mandela Day Gompo Challenge!

9 Ways to #LiveKinder alongside man’s best friend this Mandela Day

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Startlight Tigers laying on the grass relaxing

Starlight Tiger Spotting … It is a real art!

Two FOUR PAWS Cape Town staff members get a lesson in tiger identification at our true sanctuary, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary 

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Tiger Mafalda of the Train Tigers at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem in South Africa.

A next step in train tiger Mafalda's journey

Teamwork at LIONSROCK as train tiger Mafalda leaves her enclosure for a clinic visit

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 View of the tiger unit at LIONSROCK

How our big cats cope in the cold

A look at a day in the life of the lions and tigers living at our True Sanctuary in the Free State during winter. 

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Dog between people in the office

Who let the dogs in?

The A-to-Z of getting the office ready for Take Your Dog To Work Day

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Woman shopping for clothing

Staying Ethically Trendy This Midwinter

The golden rules to staying ethically trendy with your fashion shopping this midwinter

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#WearitKind Model with shopping bag

How to shop kind to #WearitKind

The Do’s and Don’ts of shopping kinder to #WearitKind

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Tigers and lions behind a fence

CITES CoP19: The conference deciding the future of big cats

Blog by Vanessa Amoroso, Head of Wild Animals in Trade at FOUR PAWS International

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LIONSROCK Dogs on back of bakkie

Celebrating Rescue Dog Day 2022

Bringing with it a promise of love, friendship, and kindness 

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Pride of lions at LIONSROCK

LIONSROCK family groupings so happy together

UN General Assembly proclaims 15 May, International Day of Families  

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Vets drawing blood from lion cub

LIONSROCK vet keeps her resilience up by being fit and inspired

Celebrate the world class vets who celebrate World Veterinary Day a little differently.

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Two lambs

Five cool facts about sheep

How much do we really know about sheep and their secret lives?

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Chickens on broiler farm

Human, Animal & Planetary Health

Developing the international pandemic instrument

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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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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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The Dog and Cat Meat Trade; A global health risk – the report

New report highlights the need to end the cruel trade and stop future pandemics emerging.

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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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Lifesaving procedure performed on tiger at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

It was a matter of life and death and the odds were 50/50 for the 18-year-old tiger Tomi, which calls LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary home.

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Bela and Sharuk's journey to a joyful life

Tigress Bela and tiger Sharuk were born on 8th of May 2014 in private captivity in Mittelbuch, Germany. 

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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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Meet Caragh

Caragh Murphy · 20.7.2020

Caragh is 11 years old and dreams of one day travelling the world to help animals. 

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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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Hildegard Pirker: 15 years with FOUR PAWS

On 15 July 2020, we celebrate 15 years of an amazing human, and the guardian of our big cats here at LIONSROCK.

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Celebrate International Tiger Day with Caragh

Caragh Murphy · 15.7.2020

On 29 July we celebrate International Tiger Day - the goal of this day is to raise awareness around tiger issues.

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Why you should choose a cat

Caragh Murphy · 8.6.2020

Why you should choose a cat - especially a rescue cat!

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Let the tigers roar!

Protect them all!

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Animal Stimulation in Lockdown

Caragh Murphy · 6.5.2020

Today I want to tell you about how important animal stimulation or enrichment is. 

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Caragh Intro

Caragh Murphy · 6.4.2020

FOUR PAWS South Africa's first Youth Ambassador!

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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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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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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

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?

Cape Town is bracing itself for Day Zero

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