The way we see wild animals displayed in captivity, including in sanctuaries, shapes our overall perception of them. Inferences are often drawn about behaviors, particularly their social natures. When people see bears or tigers together in a captive situation, they assume the animals are naturally social when in fact that is not the case at all.

At PAWS, an animal’s age and individual life history determine their housing. For example, captive-born tigers who previously lived together can usually remain together. This is the case with brothers Nimmo (left) and Wilhelm, who came from a defunct roadside zoo that constantly bred animals so they could sell cub handling and photo ops to the public. Siblings Claire and Kim, who until recently lived with their late brother Roy, were rescued together when they were cubs. They came from a breeding facility that sold animals to roadside zoos or to be exotic “pets.” (All three were spayed or neutered.) Other tigers, like Czar and Tessa, lived in their own enclosures before and continue to be given their own space.

Black bear Boo Boo arrived in December 1994 when he was about a year old, having been a “pet” who was cruelly chained by the neck in a person’s backyard. Winston, who also had been a “pet”, joined him a month later at PAWS. Both bears were captive born and still very young, so they were housed together. These companions of 26 years continue to live together in the Bob Barker Bear Habitat at ARK 2000. Ben (right), on the other hand, was captive born and lived on his own for years in a rundown roadside zoo. Today, he roams among the oak trees, bushes and native vegetation of his own spacious habitat. (PAWS is one of only six Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries-accredited organizations in the U.S. that rescues and cares for captive bears. In contrast, there are 15 accredited organizations that care for tigers.) 

So why don’t we house bears and tigers in individual habitats, as they would live in the wild? For one, housing more than one animal together in a large, natural area allows us to rescue and care for more animals in need. And, for animals born in captivity where instinctive behaviors are often suppressed (though not eliminated), those who are caged together may form relationships, as unnatural as that may be. We would not want to sever bonds between those animals.

The lesson here is to be aware of the perceptions you form when viewing wild animals in captivity – even at a sanctuary. At PAWS, we strive to inform the public about the natural biology and behavior of wild animals, not only for the sake of education but to illustrate how captive situations cannot meet their complex needs. The real focus must remain on protecting wild animals where they naturally live and the habitats in which they thrive.

Pat originally was a well-known Hollywood animal trainer. No longer able to tolerate the behind-the-scenes abuse of captive wild animals for film, TV and advertising, she wrote a tell-all book, The Lady and Her Tiger (1976), revealing a world the public never saw. This was the launch of her life’s work to educate the public about the exploitation of wild animals for entertainment, and to rescue and provide sanctuary for those in need. In 1984, Pat and Ed founded PAWS to realize that vision.

Pat truly lived the legacy she wanted to leave: She was fearless in her fight to protect captive wildlife, cherished her friends, and loved the animals. We know that Pat would have been thrilled to see the great advances that have been made in recent years, including the passage of bans on elephant bullhooks – including the statewide prohibition in California co-sponsored by PAWS – and the ever-growing number of laws banning the use of wild animals in traveling shows, not to mention the demise of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Victory! This month, the Rochester City Council in Minnesota unanimously supported a resolution that bans wild animal performances in city-owned or operated facilities. Rochester is the third largest city in the state. The binding resolution effectively bars various circuses with wild animal acts that previously appeared in Rochester and a magic show by Jay Owenhouse that features tigers.

PAWS cares for tigers who were rescued from the exotic “pet” trade and defunct cub petting facilities – including Kim, Claire, Bigelow, Sawyer and Wilhelm. Help us ensure that no more big cats have to suffer for entertainment and profit.

To take action, please click here.

by PAWS President Ed Stewart 

In 1999, Ed and Cindy (right) founded the Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund, a nonprofit organization named in memory of Cindy's parents, doctors Richard and Betty Agee. In 2003, Ed and Cindy moved from Las Vegas to a 20-acre foothill property in El Dorado County, California, and created Fat Kitty City, a one-of-a-kind, no-kill refuge for abused and abandoned domestic pets. The organization rescues, fosters, and places cats and dogs in loving homes; provides spay/neuter services; and funds a feral cat program. Their on-site onsite sanctuary provides a lifetime home to several hundred feral cats and others who might never be adopted.

The Minghelli's sanctuary is little more than an hour's drive from PAWS, but we were rarely able to spend much time together. Like PAWS, Ed and Cindy's organization always had many animals to care for. We all understood this. But every time I saw Ed, I made sure he knew that as far as I was concerned, he was PAWS' MVP.

We are all going to miss Ed. He made a difference in the lives of countless animals, both wild and domestic. What a tremendous legacy. On behalf of everyone at PAWS – from our board members and staff, to our big cats, bears and elephants – thank you Ed.

If you are looking for a unique way to broaden your students’ online learning experience, PAWS can provide a guest speaker for your college or high school classes. Topics can range from an overview of our sanctuary work to more in-depth discussions of captive wild animal issues, ethics, and care. Contact PAWS Director of Science, Research and Advocacy at cdoyle@pawsweb.org for more information. Speakers are provided at no charge.

Did you know that PAWS has an Amazon Wish List? We have chosen specific items that are needed at the sanctuary, which you can purchase directly from Amazon. We have an ongoing need for many of the products listed. Click here to review the items and donate. You can also review “wish list” items that are needed but not listed on Amazon. Click here for that list.

Leslie Baker: two boxes of Denamarin, 30#. Laura: one set of Cobra Walkie Talkies. Gabi and Jeff: one 8 oz. bottle of Eicosaderm. Carole Bognar: one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one Probiocin. Nancy Gordon: one box of Denamarin, 30#. Susan Stangland: one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#. Shelley McCune: one box of Denamarin, 30#. Renee Hendry: one 32 oz. bottle of EicosaDerm; one 5 lb. bag of Missing Link Skin & Coat. Lisa Serekian: one Probiocin. Patricia D. Adler: one 8 oz. bottle of Eicosaderm; one Probiocin; one bottle of Renal Essentials, 60#; one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#. Anonymous Donors: one bottle of CosequinDS, 132#.