Four Paws
Four Paws is an international animal welfare organization founded in 1988 by Heli Dungler in Vienna, Austria, focused on animals under direct human influence.[1][2] The organization operates under the mission to reveal instances of animal suffering, conduct rescues of animals in distress, and advocate for protective measures against exploitation.[3] With offices across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, Four Paws addresses issues in companion animal welfare, wildlife conservation, farm animal standards, and disaster response.[4][5] Notable initiatives include the establishment of bear sanctuaries in multiple countries, such as in Ukraine and Bulgaria, where rescued bears from abusive conditions like restaurant bile farming are rehabilitated.[6] Similarly, Four Paws maintains big cat rescue centers to house lions, tigers, and other species saved from circuses, private ownership, and canned hunting operations, particularly in South Africa.[7] The group has conducted extensive campaigns against the fur trade, contributing to legislative bans in regions like parts of Europe, and against the dog and cat meat trade in Southeast Asia, achieving milestones such as rescue timelines and policy advocacy.[8][9] In 2024, Four Paws executed 36 rescue missions, including aid for stray animals affected by conflicts in Lebanon, and continues to push for broader animal protection through education and political engagement.[10] While primarily recognized for these efforts, the organization has faced localized criticisms, such as 2018 allegations of animal hoarding at a U.S. facility, which it denied, emphasizing compliance with welfare standards.[11] Independent evaluations, like a 3/4 star rating from Charity Navigator, affirm its operational effectiveness in cruelty prevention.[12]History
Founding and Early Activities (1988–1990s)
Four Paws was established on March 4, 1988, in Vienna, Austria, by Heli Dungler, a former Greenpeace activist, alongside a small group of dedicated animal welfare advocates.[13][14] At the time, animal welfare efforts in Austria were nascent, with limited public awareness and institutional support for issues like factory farming cruelty.[1] The founding mission emphasized protecting animals under direct human influence, starting with campaigns against fur farming and battery-cage egg production, practices Dungler viewed as inherently exploitative due to confined conditions causing physical and psychological distress.[15][16] Initial activities in 1988 focused on grassroots protests to expose the suffering of fur-bearing animals, such as mink and foxes, confined in small wire cages on farms, where they exhibited stereotypic behaviors indicative of chronic stress.[14] These demonstrations marked Four Paws' entry into public advocacy, aiming to shift consumer attitudes toward fur products and pressure Austrian policymakers for regulatory changes. By 1989, the organization had initiated legal challenges against fur farming operations, documenting violations of emerging animal protection standards.[1] Parallel efforts targeted battery egg farming, highlighting overcrowding and beak trimming as welfare violations, though quantifiable impacts remained limited in the organization's formative years due to its small scale—operating with a handful of volunteers and modest funding.[15] Throughout the 1990s, Four Paws expanded its scope within Austria to include investigations into stray animal management and early wildlife interventions, such as documenting bears in roadside zoos, while maintaining a core emphasis on anti-fur advocacy.[1] These activities involved undercover footage and reports to build evidence for bans, contributing to growing domestic bans on fur farming imports and production by the decade's end, though full legislative successes were incremental and often required sustained lobbying. In 1994, the group initiated its first international projects, signaling a shift from purely local operations, but early efforts prioritized building operational capacity through animal rescues and sanctuary prototypes for abused wildlife.[15][1]Expansion and International Growth (2000s–Present)
In the early 2000s, Four Paws expanded its operations beyond Austria by establishing its first international sanctuary, the Dancing Bears Park Belitsa in Bulgaria in 2000, where the initial three dancing bears were relocated from exploitative conditions.[14] This marked entry into Eastern Europe, followed by the opening of Bear Sanctuary Müritz in Germany in 2006, focusing on rehabilitating rescued bears.[14] By 2007, the organization acquired land for Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, relocating 10 lions and transferring the last dancing bears from Bulgaria to Belitsa, demonstrating a shift toward establishing permanent facilities in Africa.[14] These initiatives reflected growing international partnerships and funding to support species-specific rehabilitation across continents. The 2010s saw accelerated growth, with the establishment of the U.S. office in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2010 to coordinate North American activities.[17] In 2013, Bear Sanctuary Prishtina opened in Kosovo, rescuing 13 bears from restaurant captivity by 2014.[14] Operations extended to Asia and the Middle East, including stray animal care programs in Jordan starting in 2010 and the first bear rescue in Vietnam in 2017.[14] By 2018, Four Paws launched construction of Elephants Lake Sanctuary in Myanmar and opened Arosa Bear Sanctuary in Switzerland, alongside vaccinating over 50,000 dogs and cats in Myanmar.[14] These efforts coincided with disaster relief missions, such as treating over 580 animals in Puerto Rico post-hurricane in 2017 and rescuing animals from conflict zones like Gaza (2014, 2016) and Aleppo (2017).[14] By the 2020s, Four Paws had developed a network of 15 offices across Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, USA, and Vietnam, operating sanctuaries in 11 countries.[1] This expansion supported broader campaigns, including neutering over 6,000 stray dogs in Ukraine within six months in 2012 and ongoing wildlife rescues, such as orangutan releases in Borneo.[14] The organization's international footprint grew through targeted advocacy, leading to policy influences like the inclusion of animal welfare in Germany's constitution in 2002 and bans on fur farming in Austria in 2005, while maintaining a focus on direct intervention in regions with high animal exploitation.[14]Organizational Structure and Operations
Leadership and Governance
FOUR PAWS International, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, is governed by an executive board that oversees strategic direction, global operations, and policy implementation across its network of national affiliates. The organization operates as a non-profit entity focused on animal welfare advocacy, with decision-making centralized at the international level while allowing for localized execution through country-specific teams.[3] Josef Pfabigan serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, positions he has held since January 2020 following the death of Heli Dungler, the organization's founder and former long-serving CEO. Pfabigan, a board member since the organization's inception in 1988, previously acted as Chief Financial Officer from 2006 to 2020 and played a key role in establishing FOUR PAWS International in 2003. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its global footprint, managing over 880 staff across 16 countries and 13 sanctuaries as of 2023.[18][19] Luciana D'Abramo holds the position of Chief Programme Officer and board member, contributing to programmatic oversight and international campaigns. The executive board collectively ensures compliance with ethical standards and financial transparency, as outlined in annual reports, though specific details on additional board composition beyond key executives are not publicly detailed in primary organizational disclosures. In January 2025, Pfabigan was appointed interim President of the World Federation for Animals, reflecting FOUR PAWS' influence in broader coalitions while maintaining its independent governance structure.[20][18]Global Network and Funding Sources
FOUR PAWS International, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, operates a decentralized global network comprising national offices that coordinate local campaigns, rescues, and advocacy efforts while aligning with the organization's central strategy. As of 2022, it maintains offices in 15 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam.[1] These offices facilitate region-specific initiatives, such as stray animal management in Europe and wildlife sanctuaries in Asia and Africa, supported by an international team for cross-border operations like disaster relief.[21] The network extends to sanctuaries and projects in 11 countries, including Austria, Germany, Ukraine, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Switzerland, South Africa, and Vietnam, enabling on-site animal rehabilitation and policy influence.[1] The organization's funding is predominantly derived from private donations, including individual contributions, adoption programs, and legacy gifts, which form the core of its revenue stream across national entities.[22] National offices conduct localized fundraising, supplemented by international efforts from the Vienna headquarters to support global projects, as outlined in the 2023 annual report.[19] For instance, the U.S. branch reported approximately $2.22 million in revenue for the fiscal year ending December 2022, primarily from grants and contributions, with net assets of $312,570 after expenses.[23] Additional support comes from foundations, such as the Leslie L. Alexander Foundation, which provided funding for animal rescue initiatives in 2023. FOUR PAWS emphasizes financial transparency through annual reports and holds a 3/4 star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting accountability in donor fund allocation.[12] No significant reliance on government grants or corporate sponsorships tied to conflicting interests is reported, allowing operational independence in advocacy.[24]Mission and Objectives
Core Principles and Ethical Framework
Four Paws operates under a vision of establishing a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy, and understanding, emphasizing the welfare of animals under direct human influence, including companion animals, farm animals, and captive wildlife.[3] The organization's mission is structured around three core activities: revealing instances of animal suffering through investigations and awareness campaigns, rescuing animals from abusive conditions, and protecting them via advocacy for improved standards and habitats.[25] This framework prioritizes evidence-based interventions, drawing on empirical assessments of animal needs to address causal factors of distress rather than solely ideological positions.[26] The ethical framework is underpinned by a commitment to high integrity in operations and partnerships, as outlined in internal policies that mandate humane treatment and prevention of unnecessary suffering.[27] Four Paws integrates scientific models such as the Five Domains framework—encompassing nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioral opportunities, and mental states—to evaluate and enhance welfare outcomes, ensuring decisions align with observable indicators of animal well-being rather than anthropomorphic assumptions.[28] This approach supports targeted reforms, such as advocating for species-appropriate housing and veterinary care, while maintaining operational transparency through codes of conduct that govern staff, volunteers, and collaborations to uphold ethical consistency.[27] In practice, these principles manifest in a non-partisan, global advocacy style that critiques exploitative practices based on documented evidence of harm, such as overcrowding or mutilations in farming, without endorsing blanket prohibitions unless substantiated by welfare data.[29] The organization avoids alignments with broader ideological movements, focusing instead on measurable improvements in animal conditions through policy influence and direct interventions, as evidenced by their emphasis on risk management and anti-fraud measures to sustain credible, long-term impact.[27]Policy Positions on Animal Use
Four Paws maintains policy positions aimed at reducing animal exploitation and improving welfare standards for animals under direct human influence, including farm animals, companion animals, and captive wildlife. The organization prioritizes ending practices deemed inherently cruel, such as intensive confinement and commercial breeding for profit, while advocating for regulatory reforms like traceability and bans on exports. These positions are outlined in their campaigns and standards, emphasizing empirical evidence of suffering from investigations into global industries.[27][25] On factory farming and livestock production, Four Paws campaigns to phase out battery cages and other forms of intensive confinement, supporting the "End the Cage Age" initiative that seeks EU-wide prohibitions on cage systems for laying hens, sows, calves, and fattening pigs. They promote nature-positive farming to lower emissions and disease risks, calling for reduced animal numbers, lower densities, and higher welfare standards to enhance public health via a One Health approach. Specific advocacy includes legislation for improved transport and slaughter conditions, with a 2020 public consultation influencing EU proposals on farm-level welfare.[30][31][32] Regarding fur farming, Four Paws explicitly calls for a global end to the practice, citing investigations revealing mislabeling, disease risks, and inhumane conditions in facilities across Europe and Asia. They urge fashion companies to eliminate real fur use, favoring sustainable alternatives, and have supported national bans, such as in Finland for raccoon dogs, as part of broader efforts against animals abused for fashion. A 2023 report highlighted the industry's frightening reality, including overcrowding and slaughter methods.[33][34] For live animal transport, the organization demands export bans to non-compliant countries and prohibitions on long-distance shipments exceeding EU standards, arguing these cause unnecessary suffering and zoonotic risks. They reference OIE guidelines to push for stricter enforcement, including no subsidies for cruel transports outside the EU.[35] In wildlife and entertainment, Four Paws opposes the commercial trade of species like big cats and tigers, advocating CITES protections and bans on captive breeding for trade. They strongly reject using wild animals in zoos, circuses, or dolphinariums, calling for phase-outs of such encounters as forms of exploitation.[36][37] On companion animals and pet trade, policies target illegal puppy mills and online sales, promoting mandatory identification, registration, and age restrictions (e.g., no imports under six months) to curb genetic disorders and rabies risks from unregulated breeding. Four Paws seeks transparent, traceable trade to prevent exploitation, with investigations linking illegal pipelines to health crises.[38][39] Four Paws has campaigned against animal testing in cosmetics, supporting the EU's 2013 sales ban and expressing concerns over potential post-Brexit increases in the UK, though their focus remains secondary to other uses.[40][41]Major Projects and Campaigns
Wildlife Rescue and Sanctuaries
Four Paws maintains a global network of sanctuaries focused on rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife, including big cats, bears, and primates, from exploitative captivity such as circuses, illegal trade, and bile farming. These facilities provide lifelong, species-appropriate habitats for animals unsuitable for wild release due to habituation or injury, emphasizing natural enclosures, veterinary care, and behavioral enrichment. Operations prioritize ending abusive practices through direct intervention and international relocations.[42][43] The organization's big cat sanctuaries include LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, established in 2006, which houses approximately 100 lions, tigers, leopards, and other felids rescued from global sources like declining zoos and private collections. It features a specialized unit for traumatized animals and underwent major renovations before reopening on January 9, 2023. FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands, operational since 2014, targets severely distressed big cats, with recent intakes such as lion cub Mero, illegally held in Czechia and relocated in 2025, and lions from conflict zones.[44][45][46] Bear rescue efforts span multiple sites, including Bear Sanctuary Arbesbach in Austria (since 1998) and Bear Sanctuary Belitsa in Bulgaria (since 2000), which have sheltered abused brown bears from roadside exhibits and dancing performances across Europe. Additional bear facilities operate in Germany (Müritz, 2006), Kosovo (Prishtina, 2013), Ukraine (Domazhyr, 2016), Vietnam (Ninh Binh, 2017), and through cooperations like Arosa in Switzerland (2011), addressing Asian black bear bile extraction and other exploitations. These sanctuaries collectively house hundreds of bears in near-natural settings promoting foraging and roaming.[42] Other wildlife initiatives encompass the Orangutan Forest School in Borneo (since 2018) for rehabilitating orphaned primates and cooperations like Al Ma'wa for Nature & Wildlife in Jordan (since 2011) for regional species, alongside specialized rescues such as birds of prey in Austria. Four Paws coordinates complex transports, exemplified by six tigers moved from the Netherlands to LIONSROCK in February 2025, ensuring veterinary oversight and quarantine compliance.