help for bears

Unfortunately, not every bear gets to live freely in the wild: many are forced to perform in circuses, are kept as baiting bears that must fight to survive or must pose for selfies with tourists. These bears are regarded as a lucrative source of income for their owners, and are often kept in terrible conditions. Worldwide, there are many forms of cruel bear keeping and abuse, and it is our task to intervene.

FOUR PAWS calls for the improvement

of legal standards regarding keeping conditions in certified zoological facilities and sanctuaries and demands a ban on other forms of captivity. Devising solutions for unwanted and illegally kept bears and other wild animals plays a crucial role in our work.

Wild Animals in Zoos

Wild Animals in Zoos

Problem zone - Eastern Europe

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Bear performing in a circus

WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES

Animal suffering on tour

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Animal Welfare and Tourism

Selfies taken with bears in chains, on the back of an elephant or petting lion cubs. Animal welfare should not stop on holiday

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support our campaigns! 

Help us to end the keeping of bears in conditions unsuited to the species

saddest bears in vietnam

FOUR PAWS fights for bile bears

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Bears in Southeast Europe

FOUR PAWS aims to permanently improve the situation of brown bears

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bears in ukraine

Bears are still being illegally abused as fighting bears

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Abused for entertainment

In France bears are still being made to perform silly tricks

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Bear in a cage

Saddest Bears Initiative

Questions and Answers

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our bear sanctuaries

We provide species-appropriate homes for rescued bears all over the world.

Bear Erich at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach

BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach

A FOUR PAWS project for abused bears in Austria since 1998

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Bear Amelia at Arosa Bear Sanctuary

Arosa Bear Sanctuary

A cooperation project between FOUR PAWS and Arosa tourism in Switzerland since 2011

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Bear Cuc BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh

BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh

A FOUR PAWS project in Vietnam since 2017

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Bear Pashuk at BEAR SANCTUARY Prishtina

BEAR SANCTUARY Prishtina

A FOUR PAWS project in Kosovo since 2013

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Bear Ruta taking a bath at BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr

BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr

The FOUR PAWS forever home for abused brown bears in Ukraine since 2016

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Bear Standy at Belitsa

BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa

A FOUR PAWS cooperation project in Bulgaria since 2000

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Bear Luna at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

A FOUR PAWS project in Germany since 2006

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Lioness at Al Ma'Wa for Nature & Wildlife

Al Ma'wa for Nature & Wildlife

A cooperation project between the Princess Alia Foundation and FOUR PAWS in Jordan since 2011

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Bear eating a carrot

FoUR PAWS rescues


Stories about the bears in our sanctuaries

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