2025 Rescues & Accomplishments
Take a look back at the animal welfare highlights and rescue missions this year
2025 was an impactful year at FOUR PAWS, both globally and in the U.S. We connected with our supporters and animal welfare advocates at events, film premieres, and one-of-a-kind art installations. We celebrated important anniversaries in Switzerland, Bulgaria, and Australia and helped pass meaningful legislation for animal welfare in both the United States and Europe.
And, most importantly, we rescued animals in need around the globe and brought them to our sanctuaries where they will receive expert medical care and live out the rest of their lives in peace. All of this, while continuing our stray animal care programs, and taking care of the hundreds of animals who reside at our sanctuaries, cooperation projects, and rescue stations. Thank you for all your support, and we look forward to continuing our important work for animals in 2026 and beyond.
Rescues, Transfers & Emergency Missions in 2025:
Kenya & Samba
The last circus tigers in Slovakia, Kenya and Samba, were brought to our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in January of 2025.
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Tomoyo & Illiana
Tomoyo & Illiana were rescued in April of 2025, and the two former French circus lions are now enjoying their life at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary.
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Felix
After three decades in captivity, bear Felix finally made the journey from Slovenia to Austria in May, where he arrived at his forever home at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach.
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Gjoni
Rescued from a tiny cage at a restaurant in Kosovo, Gjoni found a temporary home out our BEAR SANCTUARY Prishtina in Kosovo before being transferred to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in July.
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Dunbar
Bear Dunbar was suffering from many health problems when he was found wandering the streets of a village in Azerbaijan. As of July, he is under the expert care of team at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach.
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Dori
Bear cub Dori was handed over to our BEAR SANCTUARY Prishtina after being stolen from the wild and sold on social media.
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Mero
Lion cub Mero arrived at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in July after being confiscated from private keeping.
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Frol & Frosia
Brother and sister Frol and Frosia were rescued from a tourist trap at a restaurant in Lviv, Ukraine in 2020. After spending the last 5 years at BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr, the siblings moved to BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa in Bulgaria this year.
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Tajmir
12-year-old Tajmir was confiscated from illegal private ownership by the Czech authorities, and as of September of this year, Tajmir is enjoying his new home at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.
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Rocky
During an emergency mission to Pakistan, FOUR PAWS rescued bear Rocky who was in desperate need after being abused for entertainment. He is now safely in the care of Islamabad Wildlife Management Board.
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Sunny
After rescuing bear Rocky, our team was called to help another bear in need in Pakistan—Sunny was a former ‘dancing bear’ who is now thriving with her new friends Makra and Teddy.
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Freya & Thor
Siblings Freya & Thor were born in 2024 and were transferred from BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr in Ukraine to BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz in Germany this November.
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Roza & Taras
Roza & Taras spent some time at our BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr after the zoo where they lived in Ukraine was hit by rockets. In May, they were transferred to their forever home, Bear Forest, run by Bears in Mind in the Netherlands.
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Mici
Rescued from captivity at a restaurant in Slovenia, bear Mici arrived safely at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach in November of 2025, and she is settling in well to her new home.
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Emergency Mission to Argentina
Since October of 2025, FOUR PAWS has been providing urgent medical care to more than 60 animals at former Zoo Luján.
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Flora & Erion
After their rescue in Albania, lion Erion and bear Flora have arrived safe and sound at their new, species-appropriate homes in Germany — one at our TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary and the other at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz.
Highlights from our work in the U.S.
Our accomplishments in legislation, advocacy, partnerships, events, and more
March Napness
We held our 3rd annual hibernation competition where Masha from BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr in Ukraine took home the sleepiest bear title for 2025!
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Lamb Chop & Mallory Lewis
The legendary TV star, Lamb Chop, and her sister Mallory Lewis, become FOUR PAWS’ first lamb ambassadors!
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The Great Elephant Migration
FOUR PAWS joined the breathtaking public art installation that features 100 life-sized elephant sculptures, including one named in honor of rescued elephant Madhubala.
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Bill Murphy Art
FOUR PAWS partnered with Bill Murphy Art to celebrate bears during March Napness with a special print giveaway.
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Partnership with Ami Vitale
National Geographic photographer, Ami Vitale, partnered with FOUR PAWS to take stunning photographs of the Great Elephant Migration sculpture installation as it traveled across the western United States.
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Kale My Name
Vegan entrepreneur, Nemanja Golubovic, who owns the restaurant Kale My Name, helped announce the March Napness winner and created a special recipe for our bears!
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Bear Pizza Party
March Napness winner, Masha, and her friends at Domazhyr enjoyed a special “pizza” prize, using a recipe created for her by celebrity foodie, Nemanja Golubovic.
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Live Lamb Cutting Reaction Videos
Celebrities Lamb Chop, Mallory Lewis, Elizabeth Turner, and more Hollywood stars raised awareness about live lamb cutting with an impactful reaction video series.
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Current Events
FOUR PAWS USA created a hub for current animal related news.
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Dethroned Premiere in NYC
Filmmaker Aaron Gekowski and FOUR PAWS’ own big cat expert, Vanessa Amoroso, headlined a Q&A session at the NYC premiere of our investigative documentary, DETHRONED, in partnership with the Climate Film Festival.
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Madhubala in Chelsea, MA
The Madhubala sculpture from the Great Elephant Migration arrived in Chelsea, Massachusetts where it is on display through the end of 2025.
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Eating the Future at the Ceres Film Festival
“Eating the Future” screened at the Ceres Food Film Festival in New York City, and director Katy Jenkyns spoke with animal advocates in attendance.
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MA Law for Farm Animals
A MA law that banned the extreme confinement of farm animals was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals. FOUR PAWS was a member of the coalition which helped pass this landmark bill in 2016.
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Breaking Up with Michael Kors
Stars and style trailblazers stood up for lambs in an exciting video campaign that asks the Michael Kors brand to commit to certified live lamb cut-free wool.
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World Animal Day Event
FOUR PAWS celebrated World Animal Day with an event that featured our Madhubala sculpture and brought together animal advocates from around New England.
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Dog Jack Reunion
Jack, who was rescued from the dog meat trade in Cambodia and flown to the US to find his forever home, attended our World Animal Day event in MA, and it was so lovely to be reunited and to see this special boy thriving in his new home!
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Testifying in Support of MA Fur Ban
Research and Campaigns Manager, Melanie Lary, spoke in support of bills which would ban the sale of new farmed fur products in MA.
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Endangered Species Act Advocacy
FOUR PAWS is a member of a coalition which strives to protect the Endangered Species Act from current attacks within our government.
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NY Fashion Week Goes Fur Free
The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced that a new fur-free policy, will officially begin for New York Fashion Week in September 2026.
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Animal Lobby Day in MA
Representatives from FOUR PAWS attended the Animal Lobby Day at the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
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Washington Bill for Pets
Washington state passed a bill that helps people find pet-friendly shelters in the event of an emergency.
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Washington Bans Animals in Traveling Acts
Washington state bans the use of bears, wild cats, nonhuman primates, and elephants in traveling acts.
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Colorado Environmental Film Festival
Nita Update
Nita was rescued from the dog meat trade in Cambodia and brought to the US where she was adopted by a loving family. We were so happy to receive this beautiful update!
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More Accomplishments Around the World
2025 Smiley Award
FOUR PAWS was awarded the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the Smiley Charity Film Awards for our animated film, "Be Their Voice."
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Help for Bears in Azerbaijan
With the support of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, FOUR PAWS was able to provide help for over 20 bears kept in captivity in Azerbaijan since 2023.
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EU Parliament Protects Dogs & Cats
In a landmark vote, the European Parliament approved significant enhancements to the proposed regulation on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats.
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Vogue Goes Fur Free
Media fashion powerhouse Conde Nast will no longer feature new animal fur across any of its publications worldwide.
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Advocating for Bears in Slovenia
Over 100,000 of you signed our protest calling on the Slovenian authorities to help the bears in private captivity — and it made a difference! Your voices were heard.
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Kosovo Street Dog Population Survey
FOUR PAWS, in collaboration with our local partner animal.rights.foundation , has completed Kosovo’s first-ever nationwide street dog population survey. A groundbreaking achievement not just for the country, but for Europe!
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Mobile clinic in Ukraine
Care for Madhubala and Malika
Our elephant husbandry expert, Mathias Otto, traveled back to Karachi, Pakistan to conduct essential medical training sessions with elephants Madhubala and Malika, alongside their caretakers.
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Office Anniversaries
This year we celebrated the 25th anniversary of FOUR PAWS in Bulgaria and Switzerland, and our 10 year anniversary in Australia.
Poland Goes Fur Free
Poland became the 24th country in Europe to turn its back on fur cruelty. In a landmark move for animals, the largest fur-producing country in the EU passed legislation that bans the establishment of new fur farms immediately and requires existing farms to close by 31 December 2033.
Fighting the Dog and Cat Meat Trade
BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach Expansion
Fur Free Woolrich Campaign
Supporters sent 200,000 messages to Woolrich, urging them to go fur free.
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Stray Animal Care Worldwide
This year, FOUR PAWS helped 25,000 stray dogs and cats in 9 countries.
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Pandemic Agreement
World Health Organization member states adopted a historic global agreement which will help prevent pandemics at their source and help protect humans, animals, and the environment.
