Posted by Matthew Liebman, ALDF Senior Attorney on January 6, 2014
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a dear friend of the animals and of ALDF. Dr. Mel Richardson, affectionately known as Dr. Mel to his friends and colleagues, passed away on January 2 at the age of 63.
With more than 40 years of veterinary experience, Dr. Mel was a tireless advocate for captive wild animals.
Mel during filming of Lion Ark. He will be sadly missed. — with Mel Richardson. Animal Defenders International
I first met Mel at an elephant summit at the Performing Animal Welfare Society sanctuary about four years ago. I was immediately charmed by his laid-back demeanor, his sense of humour, his discernable kindness, and, of course, his Georgian accent. Dr. Mel quickly became an important part of ALDF’s work on behalf of captive wildlife. He was the expert witness inour lawsuit against the City of Seattleconcerning the inhumane captivity of elephants at the Woodland Park Zoo, where Mel was once a zookeeper.
Dr. Mel was the veterinarian in charge of transporting Ben the bear from a tiny, barren concrete cage to a spacious, naturalistic enclosure at the PAWS sanctuary after a lawsuit filed by ALDF and PETA freed Ben from the roadside zoo in North Carolina that held him captive.
Most recently, Mel wrote a comment letter on behalf of ALDF concerning the cruel captivity of two elephants at the Niabi Zoo in Illinois, who were ultimately transferred to better conditions (albeit, at another zoo).
He was also a regular consultant for us on all sorts captive wildlife cases, and the phrase “Let’s call Dr. Mel and ask him” was uttered frequently at our litigation meetings. These are just a few examples of Mel’s work, and he did much more for many other organizations. His primary allegiance was to the animals and he was happy to help anyone at any time.
We will miss Dr. Mel greatly, not only as a colleague and a consultant, but as a friend. He died too soon, but he left a wonderful legacy that will continue to inspire us to fight for freedom for animals.
“I have long admired Eldad Hagarat www.hopeforpaws.org/; their rescue videos are just so inspiring. Their tenacity for rescuing dogs that others have just thrown out, is without doubt very admirable indeed! Below is another rescue video that brought me to tears; that turned into happy ones for a change! Please help Hope For Paws in anyway you can!!”
Eldad Hagar’s heart broke when he sawMiley, a dog living in a pile of trash outside of LA. She was so ill and weak that she didn’t even try to run away. But because of a friendship she made with another rescued dog, she is doing worlds better today.
“When I got there, I almost couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” said Hope For Paws the founder. “It’s almost as if this place was struck by a tsunami.”
The dog, called Miley, had been abandoned and left to die in the garbage. A local resident called Hope for Paws to tell them the dog had been living in the heap for a few months. Eldad knew what to expect, but was still surprised to see how bad off she was. He said her physical deterioration was “definitely one of the worst cases” he’d ever seen.
She was hungry, sick and in pain. Her body was left so weakened that she “didn’t even have the energy” to try to get away from Eldad when he approached her.
The abandoned dogsHope for Paws volunteers find are usually difficult to rescue. They have been abused and on their own for a long time, and have become wary of humans. But with patience and compassion, even the most petrified dogs can learn to trust.
Eldad spent an hour sitting with Miley, gaining her trust by offering bits of food. He put his lucky leash on her, but she was scared and didn’t want to leave the only place that was now home to her. Eventually, she relented, and got into his vehicle.
Veterinarians determined Miley was suffering from malnutrition, mange, parasites and bacterial infections. She was given medicated baths and had her wounds treated. She needed time to rest and heal.
By day three, she was ready to give her hero a kiss. A couple weeks later she met Frankie, a dog rescued from a drain pipe. He was scared of everything. But Miley and Frankie became the best of friends, and helped each other heal from their trauma.
Miley and Frankie, currently in Los Angeles, are now ready to find homes. To adopt Miley, please visit The Fuzzy Pet Foundation. To adopt Frankie, please visit The Forgotten Dog Foundation. But these two are so sweet as a pair, it would be a real shame to not adopt them together!
A homeless dog living in a trash pile gets rescued;Please share!
Published on 12 Dec 2013
Please make a small donation to Hope For Paws and help them start 2014 strong with many more rescues.“So many dogs are thrown out by their unsympathetic owners; they would surely be dead by now; if it were not for Eldad, please help him & his team cause:-
A $5 donation from many people would make all the difference to so many animals: HopeForPaws.org Hope For Paws took care of Miley’s vet care, but she is now fostered by our friends from The Fuzzy Pet Foundation. Please visit their website to fill an application to adopt her: fuzzyrescue.org Little guest star – Frankie was also rescued by Hope For Paws (with help from Lisa Chiarelli), and is now being fostered by our friends from The Forgotten Dog Foundation. If you would like to adopt him, please fill an application here: theforgottendog.org Thanks 🙂 Eldad
Hope for Paws is a 501 C-3 non-profit animal rescue organization (E.I.N: 26-2869386). We rescue dogs and all other animals who are suffering on the streets and in the shelters. Our goal is to educate people on the importance of companion animals in our society:-
“Please, find it in your hearts to spare a couple dollars a month, so Eldad can carry on; saving those, others, throw out!”http://www.hopeforpaws.org/
“It is with much heartache that I post the following information!”
” R.I.P – Pat Derby – June 7th 1943 – 15 February 2013 – PAWS Sanctuary”
“My condolences to all her family & friends. I’m sure the animals, who’s home became the ARK…will greatly miss her too…especially the elephants!”
Published: Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 – 12:00 am |
During her early career in Hollywood, Pat Derby tamed tigers and coached cougars. After a breakthrough book, she co-founded a world- renowned sanctuary and proved to be circus elephants’ best friend.
Derby, 69, died Friday night at her San Andreas home at ARK 2000, a 2,300acre refuge she created for elephants, tigers and other exotic animals – most of them circus or movie veterans.
The animal trainer turned activist had been diagnosed with throat cancer in July 2010. After remission, the cancer returned last fall, but Derby kept her illness private.
Derby served as PAWS president and tireless advocate.PAWS will continue under Stewart’s leadership, according to an official statement from the nonprofit organization.
A celebration of Derby’s life will be held at a later date.
“Pat Derby was a partner, leader, mentor, teacher and friend,” the statement added. “She was the first to champion the cause of performing animals, and today, because of her tireless work and fierce determination, most animal protection organizations now have captive wildlife programs that address the issues of performing animals.”
More than 36 years ago, Derby began her crusade while working with captive wildlife as a Hollywood animal trainer. She handled Chauncey and Christopher, Lincoln Mercury‘s famous “Sign of the Cat” cougars, and worked with animals for such TV shows as “Gunsmoke,” “Lassie,” “Daktari” and “Flipper.”
But Derby also witnessed widespread abuse and neglect of performing animals. That prompted her to write the 1976 best-seller, “The Lady and Her Tiger,” which launched her crusade.
In 1984, Derby and Stewart co-founded PAWS and opened a wildlife sanctuary in Galt the following year. PAWS became the first U.S. elephant sanctuary.
Today, PAWS operates threeNorthern California sanctuaries, including ARK 2000 in San Andreas. The refuges are home to eight elephants and more than 100 other exotic animals.
“Initially we did a lot of protesting, and peaceful leafleting, educating the public about animals in circuses,” Derby told The Bee in 2001. “I really believe the public gets it now.”
but for what they are altogether, for their entire elephantness.”
PAT DERBY, 1976, THE LADY & HER TIGER
Patricia B. Derby
June 7, 1943- February 15, 2013
Our hearts are broken.
Pat Derby died peacefully last night in her home at ARK 2000. Ed Stewart, her partner of 37 years, was by her side.
Diagnosed with throat cancer in July of 2010, she fought her way through radiation and chemotherapy and continued to deal with side effects from treatment, including anemia. In early fall of last year came the news that cancer had returned.
Pat and Ed chose to keep this last fight a private matter. We honored their wishes.
It’s impossible for any of us to imagine life without Pat Derby – PAWS without Pat Derby – but she chose, and trained, her support team well, and under the leadership of Ed Stewart, Pat’s dreams and visions will be kept alive, her advocacy for animals will continue and PAWS will move forward.
We’ll miss her fire, determination and fearlessness; her intelligence and her passion.
We’ll miss her sense of humor.
Pat Derby was a partner, leader, mentor, teacher and friend. She was the first to champion the cause of performing animals, and today, because of her work and her fierce determination, most animal protection organizations have captive wildlife programs that address the issues of performing animals.
Pat chose a life for herself that was not for the timid.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be planned at a later date. Ed has requested no flowers be sent. For anyone wishing to honor Pat, he would prefer donations be made to PAWS in her memory. Letters of condolences can be sent to P. O. Box 849, Galt, CA 95632, or emailed toinfo@pawsweb.org.
The Animals Of PAWS
A Tribute to Pat & All The Animals She Cared For
Uploaded on 25 Feb 2007
The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) http://www.pawsweb.org is a non-profit organization that rescues and provides sanctuary to abused and abandoned animals. PAWS has garnered international recognition for it’s work with captive elephants. PAWS is located in Galt and San Andreas California
Zoo management, who had opposed the move, indicated after the 32-8 vote that they will abide by council’s edict.
One of the Toronto Zoo’s elephants wanders near a transport crate placed in the elephant paddock for the animals to get used to. A year after the decision was made to send the last three to California, only to meet with strong opposition from Zoo staff, the original decision has been reaffirmed.
“I think it’s disappointing but we also have to accept the decision of council and move on,” said John Tracogna, the zoo’s chief executive officer.
Council has had the benefit of receiving a lot of information over the past year. It still thinks the sanctuary is the best place, and zoo management is now prepared to accept that, Tracogna said.
“The public debate on this issue has occurred, and so we’ve got the direction and we’ll move on.”
Zoo staff vehemently disagreed with council’s decision in October 2011, in part because of PAWS’s lack of accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and then because of concerns about disease at the sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif. Staff hoped to send the elephants to a new, accredited sanctuary under construction in Florida instead.
“There was concern around tuberculosis at the facility,” Tracogna said. “But council’s heard all this and made their decision so we have to respect that.
“We’ve had a public debate. The information has come out fully. Council has made a decision.”
He noted that there are logistical hurdles to overcome, and stressed it’s up to PAWS to come up with an acceptable plan to fly the elephants westward.
“A good part of it is having a sound transportation plan that is going to move the elephants safely,” Tracogna said, adding he believes retired game show host and animal advocate Bob Barker, who had offered to pick up transportation costs, is still willing to do so.
“Basically we need a transportation plan from PAWS that’s going to be safe and meet all the requirements to fly three elephants all that distance. Along with that, we need the proper permits and the proper crate training.”
Tracogna couldn’t give a timetable to move the elephants, but councillors who pushed for the move want to see it happen as soon as possible.
“We just want to do what’s best for our elephants, and that’s what we did here today,” said Councillor Michelle Berardinetti, who has fought hard for the move.
“We did that a year ago, but we saw that they dragged their feet. They found every reason to drag their feet. You saw a sound decision by council once again. Sending them to PAWS is the best place.”
“They’re sending them to a facility that’s gotTB, active TB. Why would you do that?” she said.
“I can’t understand what goes through some of these people’s minds. They are our elephants; one was born here. How could you do that to them? But council rules supreme, even though I certainly can’t agree with it.”
Adopting a PAWS animal helps us provide nutritious food, veterinarian care and an enriching habitat for your animal — and you’ll have the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’re making a difference in the life of a PAWS animal.
Adoptive parents receive:
Biography of their adopted animal
Certificate of adoption and a color photograph
A guest pass to one regular PAWS ARK 2000 open house (special events are not included)
Periodic updates about the adopted animal
Periodic mailings and invitations to special events
PAWS online E-NEWS (Adoptive parent’s email address must be provided. Recipient may opt out at any time and no email address will ever be sold or given away.)
Opportunities to take direct action to help captive wildlife
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said a pit bull puppy has two severely broken legs as a result of animal cruelty.
Detectives said the puppy’s former owner, Lyman Kenneth Morkunas II, admitted to knowing it was injured from a fight with an adult dog and did not take it to get medical treatment.
A couple who took in the injured pit bull puppy to care for it told detectives that Morkunas bragged about using a 16-pound sledgehammer to break up the fight, according to MCSO spokesman Sgt. Brandon Jones.
Detectives arrested Morkunas on one count of felony animal abuse.
He was booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail on Friday and released shortly after his initial appearance.
Lyman Kenneth Morkunas II
Miles was 8 or 9 weeks old when the couple took him to the animal hospital on March 22.
One of his legs had a severe fracture to the “elbow” joint while the other was shattered all the way through the bone.
Miles also had multiple puncture wounds and a major infection had set in due to the delay in immediate medical treatment.
The couple said they couldn’t afford the treatment for Miles and signed him over to the animal hospital. Panacea Animal Wellness Sanctuary (PAWS), an animal rescue, has been supplying funds for its care.
Miles will likely have to have one leg amputated if he doesn’t receive the specialized surgery that’s required to save it.
The animal rescue group needs to raise the necessary funds so they can save the dog’s leg. The surgery will cost between $3,000 and $5,000. Visitwww.pawsaz.org to donate.
Miracle was found after her family discarded her, with her front paws wrapped in burlap and rotting. Her story got sadder at first, but she is improving and doing well now thanks to a caring shelter.
The Humane Society of Sandusky County, OH was contacted a week ago by Fremont police to rescue a cat and investigate a possible case of animal cruelty. Someone called police on a little girl seen with the cat behind the Paramount Cinemas in Fremont. The girl explained that she was trying to help the cat, whose front paws were bandaged and smelled badly.
That cat is now in the care of the Humane Society and is being called Miracle for the fact that she has survived and will recover from her misery.
Miracle’s paws were wrapped in burlap, presumably to keep her from scratching at furniture. Underneath her bandages, her front paws were rotting and her claws had curled around and gone through her paw pads. The Humane Society suspects that her family, who bound her claws, dumped her when she began to decay and smell. To make her sad situation sadder, Miracle delivered a litter of dead kittens the night she arrived at the shelter.
The vet who examined Miracle said she could be rehabbed and have a good recovery, so her life is now headed in the right direction. She looked much better by her second day after the rescue, and is expected to be ready for adoption in 5 or 6 weeks. The Humane Society of Sandusky County is caring for several abused animals, and is accepting donations toward the vet bills that accompany such cases.
The Humane Society is actively investigating the case and wants to identify Miracle’s former family. They ask that anyone with information on the case please call them at 419-603-3313. For more on the Humane Society of Sandusky County, you can visit their website and Facebook page . Donations can be made through the website.
PAWS is not a zoo, we are a Sanctuary; we provide a dignified peaceful refuge to injured, abused, unwanted and retired animals. Zoos, on the other hand, seek to form collections of healthy, virile specimens to exhibit and breed in displays that are often inadequate. Fortunately, some zoos are changing their ways.
When it comes to our elephants, our medical issues arrive with the elephant. The same cannot be said for many zoos and circuses which often create foot problems, arthritis and skin diseases in elephants due to lack of space, poor facilities and unnatural substrates. PAWS inherits all of those problems when those animals are retired to PAWS.
Virtually every elephant that comes to PAWS has a history of physical and/or psychological illness, often untreatable.We are the last alternative to the painful and lonely death of an animal who may have suffered most of its life.
With the City of Toronto‘s decision to donate the Toronto Zoo elephants to PAWS, the question of TB at PAWS has become the focus of certain zoo personnel and other misguided individuals who are opposed to sending the Toronto Zoo elephants to PAWS in the uninformed belief that their presence at PAWS endangers their welfare.
Read more. . .
Pat Derby addresses the issue of tuberculosis at PAWS in her latest blog. To read . . .click here.
“Some great footage of the ele’s in the rain, I think PAWS is a fantastic place for elephants, just a shame more zoo’s don’t send their ele’s their, no zoo can afford such space & amenities like PAW does. Surely they deserve to spend their older years in paradise after giving everything to entertain the public?”
Tuesday afternoon, February 21, 2012, the first transport crate for moving the Toronto Zoo’s three elephants, Iringa, Toka and Thika, to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary in San Andreas, CA, was loaded onto a truck for its journey to Toronto, Canada.
The crate has been custom made to accommodate Iringa, with additional height to allow her to comfortably stand inside. The crate will be utilized by the zoo to begin the process of training the elephants for their journey, by truck, to ARK 2000. All training by the zoo is done with food rewards and zoo staff has already begun preliminary training.
As we often say once the process begins, “We’re on elephant time now.”
The target date for the trip is the end of April, but the elephants will ultimately determine when they are ready to move. When we moved Maggie from Alaska, we were amazed at her quick response to treats and training.
Wanda and Winky, two Asian elephants, were moved by truck, from Detroit Zoo, almost seven years ago. Detroit keepers and veterinarians joined our staff in the move which was quite successful despite some medical issues for Wanda.
Maggie’s and Wanda’s keepers, docents, zoo administrators and a myriad of fans continue to visit their elephants each year. We look forward to welcoming the Toronto Zoo elephants’ friends and fans to ARK 2000.
PAWS History
The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) captive wildlife sanctuaries are places where abandoned, abused, or retired performing animals and victims of the exotic animal trade can live in peace and dignity. For more than 25 years PAWS has been at the forefront of efforts to rescue and provide appropriate, humane sanctuary for animals who have been the victims of the exotic and performing animal trades.
PAWS investigates reports of abused performing and exotic animals, documents cruelty and assists in investigations and prosecutions by regulatory agencies to alleviate the suffering of captive wildlife.
Founded in 1984, by former Hollywood animal trainer and author, Pat Derby, and her partner, Ed Stewart, PAWS maintains three sanctuariesfor captive wildlife in Northern California.
Not a new story but worth watching again and again! So amazingly touching – the story of Shirley and Jenny, two crippled elephants reunited at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee after a 22-year separation. The bonding was immediate, intense and unforgettable between the two former circus elephants. But long after the cameras were turned off, the wondrous moments would continue..
“I have watched most of the PAWS elephant videos but the one above still makes me fill up; how wonderful it is that 2 elephants snatched away from their homes, then forced to perform stupid tricks in the circus…finally found peace together at long last.” It would be a dream come true if all circus animals could end up at this facility; freedom, love & contentment…Perfect!
Mission Statement
PAWS is dedicated to the protection of performing animals, to providing sanctuary to abused, abandoned and retired captive wildlife, to enforcing the best standards of care for all captive wildlife, to the preservation of wild species and their habitat and to promoting public education about captive wildlife issues.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
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PLEASE NOTE.....
Not all of my posts will be current news, or even about animal abuse! I do like to share other animal news, uplifting stories or videos; some that are funny or just touch the heart!
If I have anything to say on any post, you will see it in bold blue writing. I try to remain a lady, but it's hard to contain my anger & emotions at the some of the stories I post; I don’t have a heart of stone, tears stain many articles I write!
Lastly, my apologies for any errors; I am learning whilst posting, so if you find anything that doesn't work or a broken link, sorry, I'm only human!!!!
ABOUT THESE POSTS
I would just like to make readers aware, that I search for stories on the internet; regards animal abuse etc. I copy stories etc. from the internet; assuming these stories are correct at time of publishing. Having said that, sometimes the press get it wrong! So I just want to add that at the time of me posting a news story, I presume all the facts seem present & correct.
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DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
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