VIER PFOTEN

Kaya’s Journey from Stray to Superhero 🌟🐕 Dog Kaya’s story began in Bulgaria, where she was abandoned without food or water. But her journey didn’t end there. 🇧🇬 After being rescued, her calm and gentle nature made her the perfect fit for our Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) Programme—an initiative designed to change perceptions of stray dogs and highlight their value in society. At FOUR PAWS, we pioneered the first AAI programme that selects, trains, and certifies former stray dogs as therapy dogs. These interventions help foster empathy, shift attitudes, and encourage community engagement in stray animal care, including adoption, responsible pet ownership, and spay/neuter initiatives. Adopted by our colleague Petya in 2019, Kaya played a vital role in therapy sessions, bringing comfort to young adults in recovery and visiting elderly care homes. In her tenure, Kaya has worked with 1,165 children, lifting their spirits with her joyful presence. ❤️🩹 However, as time went on, the work became more challenging for her. Prioritising her well-being, the team made the thoughtful decision to let her retire after years of dedicated service. Today, she enjoys a well-earned life of cuddles, treats, and playtime. 🐶 Kaya’s story is proof that stray dogs have so much to offer. With the right training, support, and care, they can transform lives—not only their own but also those of the people they help. 💭 Have you ever had experience with a therapy dog? 📸: © Aniniya Boeva, Hristo Vladev | FOUR PAWS #AnimalWelfare #AdoptDontShop #RescueDogs #TherapyDogs #AssistedIntervention

Sweden Moves Closer to a Fur-Free Future! 🎉🇸🇪 The Swedish government has delivered on its 2023 promise, allocating SEK 180 million in decommissioning aid to shut down the country’s last mink farms. By June, these farms are expected to be emptied of animals, marking a huge step toward ending fur cruelty. 🚫 We, alongside the Fur Free Alliance, celebrate this progress but urge Sweden to go further: it's time for a formal ban on fur farming. With 16 EU countries already leading the way, Sweden has the chance to make history and say goodbye to fur cruelty for good. 🇪🇺 The support for a #FurFreeEurope and a #FurFreeFuture is immense, and we must keep the momentum going. Let’s keep pushing until every fur farm cage is empty, for good. 🐾 #AnimalWelfare #Sweden #BanFurFarming #EthicalFashion #EndFurCruelty 

Our focus, our passion – animals at the centre of every action! ✨🐾     Our approach to animal welfare goes beyond revealing suffering and rescuing animals; it continues as we protect them by providing them with a species-appropriate habitat.     We take pride in the dedication of our caretakers, who ensure that every animal receives the individual care they need, shaped by their past hardships, for the rest of their lives. 🌿    It’s no surprise that when asked about their favourite part of working at FOUR PAWS, our colleagues have seen this attentiveness and have shared their overwhelming sense of fulfilment from the unique impact we make for every animal in our care.     The most rewarding part about working at FOUR PAWS is...  ...“that I feel fulfilled by this career path! As an animal lover and protector, this is my dream job. ” - Kaitlyn Snyder 🌟    ... “knowing that we work to rescue animals both on the ground and behind the scenes in our sustainable sanctuaries.” - Rebecca Dharmpaul 🐕    ...“putting animals first and caring for singular animals using their stories to help with the greater need for animal welfare.” - Daniel Born ❤️    Worldwide animal protection is our day to day! 🐾 Want it to be yours? Apply today ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dTmmKRt9    #ApplyNow #NonProfitJobs #AnimalWelfare #Nonprofit #Hiring #NGOJobs #FOURPAWSlife 

How to Spot the Signs of Hypothermia in Dogs ❄️⚠️ Cold weather can be just as dangerous as extreme heat when it comes to your dog’s safety. While a parked car may shield them from wind and snow, it can quickly turn into an icebox, putting them at serious risk of hypothermia. 🚗 Hypothermia happens when your dog’s body temperature drops below the normal 37–39°C (99–102°F). If untreated, it can lead to organ failure, coma, or even death. Signs of early-stage hypothermia include shivering and curling up to stay warm, muscle stiffness and difficulty walking, cold body and pale gums, and drowsiness or confusion. Paying close attention to these signs can help avoid the progression from mild to severe hypothermia. The more dangerous symptoms are indicated by: ⚠️ Dog no longer trembling 💔 Low heart and breathing rate 🆘 Fixed, dilated pupils 🚨 Delayed reflexes or unconsciousness Breeds like Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and Samoyeds have been bred to live in cold climates and can withstand severe conditions. However, short-furred breeds, like Chihuahuas and Greyhounds, puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with health issues are more vulnerable to the cold. 🐕 To keep them safe, ensure they stay active, keep their coat dry and, if necessary, dress them in a well-fitting, warm coat or sweater. Act fast, stay informed, and keep your furry friends warm this winter. 🐾❤️ #AnimalWelfare #ResponsiblePetOwnership #Dogs #Winter #Hypothermia

Pheromones: The Science Behind a Less Stressful Animal Rescue 🐅✨ Animals communicate in fascinating ways – through sound, movement, and touch. Like your pet cats at home, big cats also rely on pheromones, which are chemical signals released into the air, influencing their own emotions and the behaviour of cats around them. 🐾  For Kenya and Samba’s journey to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, our Animal Welfare Scientist on the ground, Sara Sequeira, used this innovative, non-invasive method to potentially reduce stress during transport. 🚛 💡 How does it work?  While the tigresses were under anaesthesia for their veterinary checks, a liquid form of pheromones, specifically designed for felines, was applied to the back of their necks. This does not sedate or medicate the animals but instead helps them feel more at ease in unfamiliar situations, like traveling in transport crates.  This gentle approach was made possible thanks to IRSEA, a research institute specialising in animal and human behaviour and chemical communication. Their expertise helped ensure a smoother, more comfortable rescue experience for the two tigresses.  Have you ever used pheromones to help your pets feel calmer? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️  #AnimalRescue #BigCats #InnovationInWelfare #ProtectWildAnimals #Pheromones #FOURPAWS 

New Look Backs a Cruelty-Free Future in Fashion – Who's Next? 🐑✨ Another major brand is taking a stand! New Look has joined 90 other fashion brands in signing FOUR PAWS' Brand Letter of Intent, committing to a future without live lamb cutting. As part of our Wear it Kind campaign, this collective action pushes for greater transparency, accountability, and compassion in the fashion industry. The momentum is growing, and we urge more brands to take action for a truly ethical wool industry. 📢 Fashion brands—lead the way in ethical fashion. Sign the Brand Letter of Intent ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dP6fHS3y ✊ Shoppers—demand better. Support brands that commit to ending live lamb cutting. Find out how you can help ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d6HBpJGr   #EndLiveLambCutting #WearItKind #EthicalFashion #SustainableFashion #AnimalWelfare 

This week, World Health Organization Member States will resume negotiations on the groundbreaking Pandemic Agreement - a historic opportunity to move beyond just responding to pandemics but preventing them from happening in the first place. 📜🌍    Investing in prevention and helping governments prioritise by identifying settings and activities that increase risk of disease emergence and spillover is the most resource efficient and cost-effective strategy. Reducing disease incidence not only protects lives and livelihoods it also favours trade with diseases being a major reason for trade restrictions.     The #PandemicAgreement offers a chance to embed prevention via #OneHealth into global policy – ensuring prevention isn’t treated as an afterthought but as a foundation for a safer, healthier, more resilient and unified tomorrow. 🛡️    #OneHealth recognises the deep connection between human, animal, and environmental health and welfare.  Being rooted in global cooperation, the One Health approach is the best way to prevent future pandemics, enable equity, and ensure sustainable livelihoods. ♻️🌱    Our Head of Pandemics and Campaign Strategies, Nina Jamal and Nelson Dordelly Rosales, our Advocacy and International Relations Specialist are on site at WHO's Headquarters office in #Geneva, Switzerland to tell government representatives that we are counting on them to finalise the pandemic agreement negotiations. As Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General of the World Health Organisation said in his opening speech today: “No one is safe until everyone is safe!”- this is the case for all humans, animals and the environment.      🎥 In this video, Nina talks about the importance of integrating One Health principles for safeguarding human, animal, and environmental health. 🤝🌍 It is now time for countries to unite and place prevention and #OneHealth at the core of global health governance with the #PandemicAgreement. ✒️📜       Learn more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dJZjaWbm #PreventPandemics #HealthUnites #HealthForAll    

A Lesson in Self-Care from Bear Sylvia’s Winter Slumber 🐻💤 Bear Sylvia has officially passed the halfway point of her hibernation at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz! The 22-year-old bear typically hibernates for about four months and has already enjoyed more than two restful months in her cozy bear house. 🏡 If you’re still in winter hibernation mode yourself, why not take a page from Sylvia’s book? Stretch, breathe, and embrace a little self-care—keeping your body flexible is key to staying healthy. 🧘🧡 📍 Did you know? Sylvia was rescued from a Serbian circus in 2016 alongside her brother Pavle. After regaining their strength, they found a forever home at the sanctuary in Germany, where Sylvia now enjoys bathing, running, and playing, proving that resilience knows no bounds. 📸: © FOUR PAWS | Riccardo and Marie Maywald; © BÄRENWALD Müritz #AnimalWelfare #BearSanctuary #FOURPAWS #Hibernation #SelfCare #RescueStory 

Exploring Diversity—In Nature and Ourselves 🐾 At FOUR PAWS, our Inclusive Culture Club (ICC) is a space for learning, reflection, and open discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Over the past year, we’ve explored topics such as neurodiversity, privilege, microaggressions, cultural appropriation, and LGBTQIA+ representation—bringing together colleagues from our offices and sanctuaries worldwide. 🌍 One of our recent sessions featured New York Times-bestselling author Eliot Schrefer, who shared insights from his book, “Queer Ducks (And Other Animals)”. The discussion highlighted groundbreaking research on same-sex relationships, gender diversity, and social bonds in the animal kingdom—challenging common assumptions about nature and ourselves. 📖🦆 Did you know that polyamorous ducks, fish that change gender, and same-sex partnerships among bonobos are just a few examples of the incredible diversity of relationships in the animal kingdom? 🌈 Recognising diversity in the natural world reinforces the importance of inclusion in human societies. Just as animals thrive in diverse social structures, so do humans, when we foster environments of respect, belonging, and compassion. 🤝 A huge thank you to Eliot for joining us and to all our colleagues who continue to make the ICC a space for growth and meaningful conversations. 💙 #InclusiveCulture #DEI #DiversityInNature #QueerDucks #BelongingAtWork #FOURPAWSlife  

Most of the world’s antibiotics aren’t used for humans but for farmed animals, often to compensate for poor welfare. 🐷💊 As antimicrobial resistance becomes increasingly threatening to human health, making farming more humane is no longer just about ethics—it’s a crucial step in protecting our health from drug-resistant pathogens. 🦠 In intensive farming systems, antibiotics are routinely used to treat or prevent diseases that could otherwise be avoided with better animal welfare.  How is farm animal welfare linked to antimicrobial resistance, and what are we doing about it? And how can we change the system?  We break it all down in our latest newsletter. ⬇️    #AnimalWelfare #AMR #OneHealth #IndustryFarming #DiseasePrevention