Blogs

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.

        More
        Dog Apollo

        From Cage to California

        Dogs saved from Cambodian dog meat trade, take 'Freedom Flights' to U.S. for Adoption

        More
        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

        More
        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.

        More
        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

        More
        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.

        More
        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

        More
        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!

        More
        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

        More

        Sanctuary Spotlight – Lifesaving LIONSROCK

        How LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary provides lifesaving and life changing medical care for big cats

        More
        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.

        More
        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.

        More
        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.

        More
        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.

        More
        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

        More
        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

        More
        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.

        More
        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.

        More
        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!

        More
        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.

        More
        Campaign against the DCMT in Vietnam

        Make animal welfare the focus of your New Years resolutions

        Elize Parker · 1.1.2023

        Together, we can make the world wonderful #LiveKinder.

        More
        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.

        More
        Cat and dog on bed

        The 72-hours festive pet safety guide

        Things to do 72-hours before the 25th

        More
        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

        More
        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.

        More
        Tiger Jade at LIONSROCK

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

        Key decisions from the global wildlife trade summit

        More
        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

        More
        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? 

        More
        Lion Lubumbashi at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

        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.

        More
        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? 

        More
        Lion Simba | Picior del Munte, Romania | September 2021

        The next pandemic is coming

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

        More
        Goose farm in Poland

        FOUR PAWS Reveals Animal Cruelty in Fashion

        New footage shows live plucking is still happening for feather and down

        More
        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.

        More
        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.

        More
        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.

        More
        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

        More
        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

        More
        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! 

        More
        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. 

        More
        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.

        More
        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

        More
        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

        More
        Landscape and wildlife at LIONSROCK

        Arbor Day tree plan, a roaring success

        Focusing on the country’s "champion trees"

        More
        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

        More
        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

        More
        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.

        More
        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?  

        More
        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

        More
        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

        More
        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 

        More
        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

        More
         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. 

        More
        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

        More
        Woman shopping for clothing

        Staying Ethically Trendy This Midwinter

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

        More
        #WearitKind Model with shopping bag

        How to shop kind to #WearitKind

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

        More
        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

        More
        LIONSROCK Dogs on back of bakkie

        Celebrating Rescue Dog Day 2022

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

        More
        Pride of lions at LIONSROCK

        LIONSROCK family groupings so happy together

        UN General Assembly proclaims 15 May, International Day of Families  

        More
        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.

        More
        Two lambs

        Five Cool Facts about Sheep

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

        More
        Chickens on broiler farm

        Human, Animal & Planetary Health

        Developing the international pandemic instrument

        More
        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

        More
        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.

        More
        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! ​​​​​​​

        More

        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.

        More
        Pig in truck

        One year on from COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic

        What is being done to prevent future pandemics?

        More
        Stray animal care in Romania

        COVID-19 and Stray Animals

        What a pandemic means for stray cats and dogs

        More
        Dogs Daisy and Apollo

        1 Million Act to #ProtectMillions!

        Petition to end the dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia reaches milestone

        More

        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.

        More

        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. 

        More
        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.

        More
        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

        More
        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

        More

        Meet Caragh

        Caragh Murphy · 20.7.2020

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

        More

        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

        More

        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.

        More

        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.

        More
        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

        More

        Why you should choose a cat

        Caragh Murphy · 8.6.2020

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

        More

        Let the tigers roar!

        Protect them all!

        More

        Animal Stimulation in Lockdown

        Caragh Murphy · 6.5.2020

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

        More
        Cats in a cage

        The Dog and Cat Meat Trade – A Future Pandemic in Waiting?

        Without change, the past will repeat itself 

        More

        Caragh Intro

        Caragh Murphy · 6.4.2020

        FOUR PAWS South Africa's first Youth Ambassador!

        More

        The Dangers of Live Animal Markets

        The closure of these markets to protect people and animals is essential

        More
        Live animal transport

        Endless waiting times and cruel circumstances at borders

        Live animal transports during coronavirus situation

        More
        Slaughterhouse owner with dogs in cage

        Austrian Journalist Accompanies Operation in Dog Slaughterhouse

        Denise Zöhrer looks where others turn away

        More
        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.

        More
        Dogs in cages

        51 dogs rescued from the dog meat trade in Vietnam

        Asia Canine Protection Alliance helps provide medical care for confiscated dogs 

        More
        Woman

        Style and Compassion

        Animal protection the new ethical fashion frontier

        More
        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.

        More
        Bear transfer to Arosa

        Bear transfer to Arosa

        Finally at home at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary

        More

        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

        More

        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...

        More
        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.

        More
        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.

        More

        Last Day on Lombok

        Looking back on our 15 day mission in Indonesia

        More
        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

        More
        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.

        More
        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

        More

        What would life be without water?

        Cape Town is bracing itself for Day Zero

        More

        Search