Although FOUR PAWS can be defined as an animal charity, we are more accurately an international animal welfare organisation. Specifically, a non-governmental organisation, which means we operate at a not-for-profit level independently from the Government.

Essentially, this means that we don’t rely on Government funding to carry out our work. This is why we are so grateful to our supporters who join us in our mission to become the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them.

As an international animal charity, we strive to operate on many different channels to maximise the impact we have and the animals that we can rescue from suffering. But, to be effective, we need focus. Find out more on our main areas, below:

Companion Animals as an Animal Charity

Companion animals refer to animals that we find companionship from, such as pets. However, the sad reality is that not all companion animals are able to live out their lives in a loving home. As an animal charity, we work to ensure that stray animals in many countries around the world can have a chance at a happy life.

This includes neutering programs, fighting against the dog and cat meat trade, exposing and combatting the illegal puppy trade, promoting responsible pet ownership, and more. Find out more on our page.

Farm Animals as an Animal Charity

One important part of being an animal charity is to change how we perceive animals. To understand that behind our viewpoints is a living, sentient being that has a personality and is capable of suffering. This is especially true for farm animals, which are often overlooked and seen simply as a commodity.

To do this, we inspire our community to try plant-based alternatives, rally the call to end factory farming, and partner with farm animal sanctuaries to show a different side to farm animals. You can find out more on our page.

Wild Animals as an Animal Charity

The beauty and exoticism of wild animals is both their blessing and their curse. The fact that they are so alluring and majestic, means that they are in constant demand for a wide range of reasons. This includes their exploitation for entertainment, for the tourism industry, and for their skins and body parts.

Our role as an animal charity is to ensure that wild animals stay wild and free, free from human exploitation and free from the suffering caused by human intervention. We are currently campaigning to end the wildlife trade, and have launched Travel Kind, which aids to offer guidelines on how to travel in a cruelty-free manner.

Animal Charity Emergency Missions

Alongside our core competencies, we also carry out emergency missions for animals in crisis. This has seen our team mobilise across the globe, completing successful rescues missions with the aid of our supporters and communities.

We are proud to look back on the successes we have completed as an animal charity, including rescuing sheep in a capsized ship off the coast of Romania, rescuing starving lions in a Sudanese zoo, and more recently, giving Kaavan, the world’s loneliest elephant, a chance a happier and companion filled life.

Not only are we an active charity in pursuing a world for better animals, we’re also an active animal charity who is working to build better lives for our rescued animals at our diverse range of sanctuaries. Find out more about some of them below:

BEAR SANCTUARY Mueritz: The biggest bear sanctuary in Western Europe

This BEAR Sanctuary has been managed by FOUR PAWS since 2006, and currently operates as a happy home for 15 brown bears that were rescued from captivity. Thanks to our animal charity supporters, they are now living in a natural forest environment on the beautiful 16-hectare site. Now, they can live free from abuse and enjoy a second chance at happiness.

BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach: An animal-friendly home for abused bears since 1998

Since its founding in 1998, BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach has been extended (2009), and proudly offers a near-natural territory for bears that were former circus bears, or owned privately and kept in unsuitable conditions. Due to animal charity supporters, this animal-friendly home operates on a total area of 14,000 square metres. As of writing, Arbesbach houses 6 bears.

Big Cat Sanctuary LIONSROCK: Species appropriate home for more than 100 animals, mainly big cats in South Africa

Showing that transformation is possible, LIONSROCK was previously an existing park that is now a haven for rescued big cats. This site is appropriately named after a prominent rock in the centre of the area known as “Lionsrock”. As of writing, the sanctuary currently homes more than 100 animals. This is predominantly big cats that have been rescued from zoos, private captivity, or the industry. Their new lives are a testimony to animal charity supporters.

Big Cat Centre FELIDA: Our FOUR PAWS rescue centre for big cats in the Netherlands

Another one of our big cat animal sanctuaries is FELIDA, which provides a species-appropriate home for big cats, such as tigers and lions (as of writing, one tiger and five lions). Much like the rest of our rescued animals, they have a diverse and rich selection of backgrounds, all of which are unified in their suffering. This includes circuses, private keeping and war-torn zoos and often had a difficult start in life. Thanks to animal charity supporters, the rest of their life will be very good.

Our sanctuaries allow us to make a real difference in the lives of the animals we rescue, and animal charity supporters are the ones who help us to keep it going. This list is far from exhaustive, and you can find out about the rest of our sanctuaries here. You can also find out more on the animals that now live in them through our rescues page. We’re sure you’ll be able to find your favourite, as well as get lost in their interesting backgrounds!

If you’re interested in donating to an animal charity, such as FOUR PAWS, you can do so through our donation form. This is a quick, easy, and simple way for you to donate on a one-time or monthly basis. Whichever suits you best, and whatever you can give, it all helps.

Alternatively, you can get in touch with us via our online contact form, or by giving us a call on 020 7922 7954. A member of our supporter care team will be more than happy to discuss your donation options with you.