FOUR PAWS is a global animal welfare organization for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need, and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organization advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy, and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals, and wild animals—such as bears, big cats and orangutans—kept in inappropriate conditions and disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Kosovo, Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, UK, USA, and Vietnam and sanctuaries for rescued animals in 11 countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. FOUR PAWS sanctuaries provide species-appropriate homes for animals rescued from improper keeping conditions from all over the world, including neglected zoos, circuses, or other forms of private keeping. Each FOUR PAWS sanctuary maintains the highest standard of care for its rescued animals.

Bears and big cats that have grown up under human influence, unfortunately, cannot be released into the wild. In captivity, they lose vital instincts they need to survive, especially learning how to hunt and scavenge for food. Many of the rescued bears and big cats often display severe behavioral disorders due to their former caged existence and require the special attention of FOUR PAWS animal caretakers. Animals at all FOUR PAWS sanctuaries will never be bred, sold for profit, or traded to other sanctuaries, zoos, or any other animal practice or trade. Animals rescued by FOUR PAWS find a home at its sanctuaries for life.

FOUR PAWS sanctuaries for bears and big cats are in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Jordan, Kosovo, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Vietnam and are open for visitors to educate on global animal welfare issues.