They are closing down numerous fur farms, stopping two airlines transporting wild birds, and generating awareness about the suffering of bears at tourist attractions, ensuring and creating sustainable solutions for animals in need, touching hearts, changing consumer behaviour, driving legal changes, and building powerful partnerships.
“Our mission is to be the strong, global, and independent voice for animals under human control.” Quoted by Adam Rahman—Four Paws Team. FOUR PAWS was founded in 1988 in Austria to campaign against fur farms and against battery-farmed eggs.
Not only have Four Paws taken on incredible challenges, but they have also changed wildlife, sharing their excellent work, and they continue to grow.
Four Paws is an international charity to help protect and support all kinds of animals. This charity allows you to sponsor an animal and join in with fun campaigns supporting wild, farm, and furry companions, i.e., home pets.
The charity organises events all year round, including fundraising awareness, and has grown its charity globally. Offices are located in
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Belgium
- Germany
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Romania
- Switzerland
- South Africa
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- USA
“In 1994, FOUR PAWS started to work internationally and today has offices in thirteen countries. This international approach allows FOUR PAWS to lobby and campaign more effectively, improving animal welfare and thousands of animals’ lives each year.”
Quoted by Adam Rahman—4PAWS.
I hold immense respect for this charity, appreciating the positive impact they’ve had, the awareness they’ve raised, and the incredible team they’ve built.
It was a delightful moment when they spared some time from their hectic schedule to answer a few questions.
So, let’s jump in. What do you hope to accomplish, and why do you want to involve others? “Our vision is a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. We try to do this through our projects and campaigns, which give animals in need short-term and long-term help. We want people to get involved in our work in any way possible.
Our work relies on public support, whether through donating money, adding their support to petitions and other campaigning asks or offering their time through volunteering or fundraising on our behalf.”
I think that is fantastic! There are so many animals in need, and you are changing that! What happens to the donations you receive? What part of the charity/foundation does this go to? How will the charity use my gift? “FOUR PAWS UK is 100% funded by voluntary contributions and receives no government funding.
All donations go towards our projects and campaigns, both in the UK and internationally and help with the ongoing costs of running our animal sanctuaries worldwide, as well as ensuring the smooth running of the organisation as a whole.”
“What’s the most important lesson you have learnt as a charity in the past year?” It is impossible to answer this on behalf of the whole charity, as we have many departments and our work is extensive, so the lessons learnt will vary significantly across the different areas of our work.
How are you collaborating with similar charities locally, regionally, or nationally? “We collaborate with several like-minded charities both nationally and internationally. For example, we collaborated closely with the Jordanian Princess Alia Foundation on rescuing and rehoming Gaza Strip animals. We are currently working together to build a new wildlife sanctuary in Jordan.
We are also a member of the Fur Free Alliance, a coalition of animal welfare organisations working to end the use of real fur in the fashion industry.
In the UK, we are working with numerous animal welfare and veterinary charities such as the RSPCA, BVA, One Kind, CAPS, Born Free Foundation, and Wild Futures on a campaign to ban the keeping of primates as pets in this country. We are also working with Lion Aid, the Save Me Trust and IFAW on an upcoming march against the import of lion hunting trophies into the UK, where we will join a delegation handing over a joint letter to the Prime Minister.
These are just a few examples of our collaboration with other national and international charities.” Impressive! Your collaborations with local charities are commendable. What are the key obstacles to fulfilling your mission, and what strategies do you have to overcome them? “It varies depending on the topic, but there is generally a lack of awareness about many animal welfare topics and misconceptions.
We plan to overcome this through continuing our awareness-raising and educational work and providing realistic solutions to existing problems.”
What are the most significant challenges that the charity is facing?” Again, the lack of awareness and education on animal welfare issues is challenging. Additionally, many poor animal welfare practices are ingrained within specific cultural/industrial environments, making it difficult to achieve change.”
That’s fantastic! What notable outcomes and progress has this charity achieved through its efforts?” This varies quite a bit across the different areas of our work. While a lot has been achieved, and we have rescued many animals from inappropriate conditions and brought about several significant political and social changes, there is still a lot to be done.”
What plans are in the works, and what’s your vision for the charity’s future? “FOUR PAWS has made 2016 the year of the bear. Our President and founder, Heli Dungler, recently signed an agreement with the Albanian Government to address the issue of the mistreatment of bears in private captivity in the country.
In terms of the longer-term future, we will continue to deliver our existing projects and campaigns and help animals in need wherever possible.”
Great interview! Thank you for your time; it was incredibly inspiring. Be sure to visit their website to stay updated on upcoming events and get involved. Don’t hesitate—consider sponsoring an animal; I certainly did! 🐾
