Four Paws

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Four Paws was founded on 4 March 1988 by Helmut Dungler to protect animals from being farmed for their fur.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} In 1989, the first charges were brought against a number of fur farms in Austria. Furthermore, Austrian Airlines and Lauda Air stopped the transport of captured exotic birds.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

In 1991, Four Paws demanded the mandatory labelling of eggs and a total ban on battery cages for egg-laying hens.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} In 1998, the organisation opened the first sanctuary for bears in Arbesbach, Austria.{{Cite web|title=Bear sanctuary Arbesbach|url=https://www.baerenwald.at/en|access-date=9 June 2020|website=baerenwald.at}} In 1999, the foundation brought about the closure of Austria's largest battery cage egg producer.{{Cite web|title=30 Years of FOUR PAWS|url=https://www.four-paws.org/our-stories/blog-news/30-years-four-paws|access-date=9 June 2020|website=FOUR PAWS International}}

In 2000, Bear Sanctuary Belitsa opened in Bulgaria, and the first three former dancing bears moved in.{{Cite web|title=Dancing Bears Park Belitsa|url=http://www.four-paws.bg/en/projects/bears/dancing-bears-park-belitsa/|access-date=9 June 2020|website=www.four-paws.bg}} In 2002, animal welfare entered Germany's basic law, and Federal Minister Renate Künast thanked Four Paws by name.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} In 2005, the Federal Animal Welfare Act came into force in Austria and banned both fur farming and the use of wild animals in circuses.[https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/vier-pfoten-spotlight-on-al-ma-wa-wildlife-rescue-centre-in-jordan Vier Pfoten: Spotlight on Al Ma'wa Wildlife Rescue Centre in Jordan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023113230/https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/vier-pfoten-spotlight-on-al-ma-wa-wildlife-rescue-centre-in-jordan |date=23 October 2019 }}, Eurogroupforanimals.org, 27 August 2018 In 2008, the Lionsrock big cat sanctuary opened in Bethlehem, South Africa.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} Helmut Dungler was awarded the Silver Order of Merit for Services Rendered to the Republic of Austria.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

In 2010, Four Paws started a collaboration with the Princess Alia Foundation of Jordan, with the Al Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife project.{{cite news|title=Al Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife |url=https://www.four-paws.org/campaigns-topics/sanctuaries/al-ma-wa-for-nature-and-wildlife |website=four-paws.org |date=28 April 2022 |access-date=29 February 2024}} In 2012, an EU-wide ban on conventional battery cages for hens came into force.[https://americanwildhorsecampaign.org/media/four-paws-starts-wild-horse-birth-control-program-danube-delta Mondelez now uses cage free eggs in Toblerone]

In 2014, the Bear Sanctuary Prishtina in Kosovo was opened. In 2015, Four Paws initiated a campaign against canned lion hunting, which attracted 281,000 supporters.[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jun/03/canned-hunting-lions-bred-slaughter 'Canned hunting': the lions bred for slaughter], Theguardian.com, 3 June 2013 In 2018, the organisation rescued lions and bears from "Europe's worst zoo", in Tirana, Albania.[https://www.newsweek.com/three-lions-bear-seven-other-animals-rescued-hellish-zoo-albania-1191479 Three lions, a bear and seven other animals rescued from "hellish" zoo], Newsweek.com, 29 October 2018 The same year, the first International Animal Welfare Summit was organised by Four Paws in Vienna, with famous guests that included Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.[https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/300-mark-30-years-four-paws-1st-international-animal-welfare-summit-2018 Four Paws: 300 mark 30 years of Four Paws at 1st International Animal Welfare Summit 2018], Eurogroupforanimals.org, 2 May 2018 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207163813/http://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/300-mark-30-years-four-paws-1st-international-animal-welfare-summit-2018 |date=7 February 2019 }}

On 17 January 2018, Switzerland took a step against anonymous pet trafficking on the internet. From 1 March 2018, online traders have had to provide their full name and address as well as the country of origin and breeding of the dogs offered for sale.[http://www.carodog.eu/switzerland-bans-the-anonymous-online-trade-of-dogs/ Switzerland bans the anonymous online trade of dogs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214153043/http://www.carodog.eu/switzerland-bans-the-anonymous-online-trade-of-dogs/ |date=14 February 2019 }}, Carodog.eu, 17 January 2018 On 5 January 2020, Four Paws founder and president, Helmut Dungler, died unexpectedly.[https://www.four-paws.org/about-us/four-paws-family-mourns-its-founder-and-president-heli-dungler Four Paws family mourns its Founder and President Heli Dungler], retrieved 6 January 2020 in Four-paws.org. In January 2020, Four Paws rescued sick lions at a zoo in Khartoum, Sudan, after worldwide outrage following concerning reports of the animals' condition.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/emergency-rescue-mission-visits-surviving-lions-in-sudan-zoo/2020/01/28/661db6ca-41dc-11ea-99c7-1dfd4241a2fe_story.html Rescue mission aids starving lions in neglected Sudan zoo], retrieved 29 January 2020 in Washingtonpost.com.

On 4 September 2020, the organisation, together with veterinarians Amir Khalil and Frank Goeritz from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research examined and approved "the world's loneliest elephant", Kaavan, for travel from the Islamabad Zoo in Pakistan to an elephant sanctuary in Cambodia.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/09/05/worlds-loneliest-elephant-is-finally-cleared-find-new-home/ The 'world's loneliest elephant' is finally cleared to find a new home] retrieved on 10. September 2020 in Washingtonpost.com The relocation to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, at the end of November 2020, was supported by singer Cher's NGO Free the Wild and by businessman Eric Margolis.[https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistan-animal-lovers-prepare-to-say-goodbye-to-asian-elephant-kaavan-1.74543811 Pakistan animal lovers prepare to say goodbye to Asian elephant Kaavan] from 13. October 2020 in Gulfnews.com[https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-11-26/cher-helps-rescue-elephant-kaavan-from-captivity-in-pakistan Cher — yes, Cher — helps a captive elephant find a new home in Cambodia] from 26. November 2020 in Latimes.com

In January 2021, Four Paws published the Austrian edition of the Meat Atlas, in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the environmental protection organization Global 2000.Fleischatlas: Daten und Fakten über Tiere als Nahrungsmittel Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Global 2000, Vier Pfoten, 2021 ([https://www.global2000.at/sites/global/files/Fleischatlas-2021.pdf PDF; 5,27 MB])

In March 2022, four tigers were rescued from Argentina to find a new home in South Africa. It was the organization's first rescue in South America.[https://www.newsweek.com/4-circus-tigers-sent-animal-sanctuary-after-spending-15-years-cage-1689670 4 Circus Tigers Sent to Animal Sanctuary After Spending 15 Years in a Cage], Newsweek.com 18 March 2022

On 16 April 2020, claims by Four Paws in The Independent stated there had been a surge in consumption of dog and cat meat in Vietnam as a result of fake news suggesting it would cure COVID-19.{{Cite web|date=16 April 2020|title=Coronavirus causes dog and cat meat sales 'to surge' in Vietnam and Cambodia|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/coronavirus-dog-cat-meat-vietnam-cambodia-indonesia-animals-covid19-four-paws-a9464946.html|access-date=9 June 2020|website=The Independent}} Four Paws' head of stray animal care in Asia, Katherine Polak, was quoted as saying she strongly suspected doctors were now recommending cat and dog meat to treat COVID-19. However, on 24 April 2020, fact-checking nonprofit PolitiFact rated the claim as false.{{Cite web|date=|title=PolitiFact – Evidence lacking that cats eaten as COVID-19 cure|url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/may/08/south-west-news-service/Evidence-lacking-that-cats-eaten-as-COVID-19-cure/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=9 June 2020|website=PolitiFact}} Reporter Tina Nguyen called it mind-boggling and a nasty racist attack.{{cite tweet|user=tina_nguyen|number=1259638248978219011|date=10 May 2020|title=I had an inkling there would be nasty racist attacks against Asians during the pandemic but this is the most mind-boggling one.}} In May 2020, Four Paws responded with an official statement defending their claims.{{Cite web|title=A FOUR PAWS Statement on DCMT|url=https://www.four-paws.org.uk/our-stories/blog-news/a-four-paws-statement|access-date=9 June 2020|website=Animal Charity – Animal Welfare Organisation – FOUR PAWS UK}}

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The organisation is positioned as "a strong, global, and independent voice for animals under direct human control" by offering sustainable solutions for animals in need, changing consumer behaviour, driving legal change, and building partnerships. The purpose of Four Paws is to inform the general public about animal welfare. The organisation also supports a ban on farming animals for fur, strict limitations on keeping wild animals in private captivity, and a ban on wild animals in circuses.

Four Paws projects include the following:

• Bears: Four Paws rescues bears forced to live in poor conditions in circuses, zoos, or in private hands. The organisation has projects in Vietnam,[http://english.tinmoitruong.vn/animals/four-paws-ends-bile-bear-keeping-in-ninh-binh-province_101_53307_1.html FOUR PAWS ends bile bear keeping in Ninh Binh province], Tinmoitruong.vn, 27 April 2018 Austria,[https://www.waldviertel.at/en/a-baerenwald-arbesbach Bärenwald Arbesbach], Digitaljournal.com, Waldviertel.at, retrieved 1 August 2019 Bulgaria,[https://www.insideedition.com/media/videos/saddest-bear-europe-meets-love-his-life-bulgaria-bear-park-45426 Saddest Bear in Europe Meets Love of His Life at Bulgaria Bear Park], Insideedition.com, retrieved 1 August 2019 Poland,{{cite news|title=Help for bears in Poland |url=https://www.fourpawsusa.org/campaigns-topics/campaigns/save-the-saddest-bears/help-for-bears-in-poland |website=fourpawsusa.org |date=20 August 2021 |access-date=29 February 2024}} Ukraine,[http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/354979 Four Paws: Pet food maker Royal Canin sponsoring bear-baiting], Digitaljournal.com, retrieved 23 July 2013 and Kosovo.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kosovo-bears/kosovo-moves-against-restaurants-holding-wild-bears-idUSBRE94N0M820130524 Kosovo moves against restaurants holding wild bears], Reuters.com, retrieved 1 August 2019

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• Big cats: Four Paws has established sanctuaries and projects for big cats in South Africa,[https://www.four-paws.org/our-stories/press-releases/from-king-of-the-jungle-to-traded-skeleton From king of the jungle to traded skeleton], Four-paws.org, 8 August 2018[https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/08/animals-rescued-from-the-worst-zoo-in-the-world-in-gaza/497450/ Animals Rescued From the 'Worst Zoo in the World' in Gaza], Theatlantic.com, 25 August 2016 Jordan,{{cite news|title=Tigers from illegal breeding farm settle in at new home in Jordan |url=https://www.four-paws.org/our-stories/press-releases/june-2023/tigers-from-illegal-breeding-farm-settle-in-at-new-home-in-jordan |website=four-paws.org |date=5 June 2023 |access-date=29 February 2024}}[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/mosul-zoo-two-animals-left-alive-simba-lion-lula-bear-evacuate-isis-iraq-city-erbil-four-paws-a7678201.html Mosul Zoo's only surviving animals are rescued from war-torn Iraqi city], Independent.co.uk, 11 April 2017 and the Netherlands,[https://www.felidabigcats.org/en Felida Big Cat Centre] retrieved 13. April 2019 in Felidabigcats.org The organisation also cooperates and works with several partner organisations within the welfare sector.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
• Stray animals: Four Paws creates solutions to prevent outbreaks of disease and uncontrolled levels of reproduction among strays in places such as Myanmar,[https://www.mmtimes.com/news/one-million-rabies-vaccinations-dogs-cats-myanmar.html Captive lions rescued from horrific conditions on North West farm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219053354/https://www.mmtimes.com/news/one-million-rabies-vaccinations-dogs-cats-myanmar.html |date=19 February 2021 }}, retrieved 1. August 2019 in Mmtimes.com Romania,[https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/rita-pal/romania-dogs_b_4056519.html Four Paws Saves Mutilated Romanian Dog], Huffingtonpost.co.uk, 7 December 2013 Ukraine,[https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/help-for-forgotten-dogs-of-chernobyl/ Help for forgotten dogs of Chernobyl], Vettimes.co.uk, 22 August 2017 and Cambodia[https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/harrowing-images-show-61-dogs-23551720 Harrowing images show 61 dogs packed into cages on way to slaughter for meat] from 24. February 2021 in Mirror.co.uk In addition, the organization is working to sustainably end the dog and cat meat trade.[https://people.com/pets/dog-meat-slaughterhouse-cambodia-shut-down/ Dog Meat Slaughterhouse that Boasted About Drowning 200 Dogs a Day Is Shut Down] retrieved on 9. March 2021 in People.com
• Horses: The organisation protects Europe's last populations of horses living in the wild Danube Delta in Romania[https://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/649587/Video-vet-rescues-shackled-horse-Romania Watch what happens next when a kind vet rescues a shackled horse...], Express.co.uk, 3 March 2016 and in the Jordanian city of Petra.
• Orangutans: Four Paws looks after orphaned orangutans and prepares them to live independently in the wild.[https://www.treehugger.com/animals/watch-these-rescued-orangutans-learn-ropes-forest-school.html Watch these orphaned orangutans learn the ropes at forest school], Treehugger.com, 20 August 2018 Furthermore, the organisation funds a forest school in Indonesia's East Kalimantan.[https://news.mongabay.com/2018/06/orangutan-forest-school-in-indonesia-takes-on-its-first-eight-students/ Orangutan forest school in Indonesia takes on its first eight students], News.mongabay.com, 21 June 2018
• Fur farming: Four Paws supports a ban on farming animals for fur, a legal obligation to label all fur products and, in the long term, a Europe-wide ban on importing and selling all fur products.[https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/aug/27/goose-feather-down-live-pluck-outerwear-clothing-north-face-patagonia Down smackdown: The North Face v Patagonia on ethical feather standards], Theguardian.com, 22 August 2014[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/when-i-grow-up-i-m-going-to-be-a-fur-collar-burberry-under-fire-from-animal-rights-group-9804778.html Save Kimi: 'When I grow up, I'm going to be a fur collar' – Burberry under fire from animal rights group], Independent.co.uk, 19 October 2014 In August 2018, Four Paws joined the Fur Free Alliance to launch a new campaign urging fashion brand Prada to adopt a fur-free policy like Gucci, Versace, Armani, Donna Karan, and Hugo Boss.[http://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/prada-backlash-spreads-to-australia Prada backlash spreads to Australia], Ragtrader.com.au, 25 September 2018 In February 2021, the organisation published a statement on the assessment conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the World Health Organization on SARS-CoV-2 in animals used for fur farming, demonstrating high risks for public health.[https://www.four-paws.org.au/our-stories/press-releases/2021/four-paws-statement-on-new-fao-oie-and-who-assessment-on-sars-cov-2-risks-related-to-fur-farming Four Paws Statement on new FAO OIE and WHO assessment on SARS-COV-2 risks related to fur farming] retrieved on 11. March 2021 in Four-paws.org.au
• Assistance for animals in distress: The organisation rescues animals after natural disasters and helps local people whose livelihood depends upon the animals.[https://dogsmonthly.co.uk/2018/08/24/rescuers-arrive-in-lombok-to-help-animals-after-devastating-earthquakes/ Rescuers arrive in Lombok to help animals after devastating earthquakes], Dogsmonthly.co.uk, 24 August 2018
• European Union: The organisation has urged the European Parliament to call for stricter regulation on the trade in live wild animals, a clear commitment to step up efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade, as well as EU and member states' financial support to wildlife rescue centres and sanctuaries.FOUR PAWS recommendations for MEPs working on the Own Initiative Report on the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 Four Paws, retrieved on 31. August 2020 ([https://media.4-paws.org/8/6/9/7/869746400252d5ef3f1fbe59ada95de39db98c39/FOUR%20PAWS%20recommendations%20for%20the%20OIR%20on%20EU%20Biodivesity%20Strategy.pdf PDF; 129 kB]) Moreover, the organization has criticized the EU Council's decision on the signing of the Mercosur agreement between the EU and the United States concerning "high quality beef".[https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12451-Trade-policy-review-including-WTO-reform-initiative/F538073 Trade policy review including WTO reform initiative] from 14. July 2020 in Ec.europa.eu

• List of bear sanctuaries
• List of animal sanctuaries

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website|four-paws.org}}
• [https://www.vier-pfoten.at/ VIER PFOTEN], Austrian headquarters website

{{Animal welfare}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Animal welfare organizations based in Europe

Category:Anti-vivisection organizations

Category:Food politics

Category:Organizations established in 1988