News


Releases and advisories are post here in chronological order, most recent appear first, older releases below them.


Silhouettes, from “America’s Got Talent” Join the Incredible Cast of Circus PAWS

Posted by on Sep 10, 2012 in news | Comments Off

San Andreas, CA — The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is pleased to announce that Colorado’s The Silhouettes, known for their appearances and second place win on America’s Got Talent, have joined the cast of Circus PAWS. Circus PAWS — animal-free entertainment benefitting rescued and retired performing animals — will run for three shows on September 29-30 at Avalon Hollywood. The Silhouettes join Nathalie Yves Gaulthier’s Le Petit Cirque, the new boy band IM5, singer Kat Kramer, and a long list of distinguished professional performers in this never-before-seen production. Tickets and information for Circus PAWS’ three performances are available at www.circuspaws.com.

The Silhouettes were created in March 2009 when creative director Lynne Waggoner-Patton was asked to develop a show for an Olympic planning event. The production company asked her to use her dancers, from Rocky Mountain School of Dance, to work with shadows, pictures and dance in a way that would make the audience remember Denver. When they presented the idea of making the shape of the pictures with dancer’s bodies – and then having the photograph appear on the stage – they didn’t realize how truly difficult that would be.

Their big break came when an agent invited them to attend the America’s Got Talent audition in Denver. They went on to be first runners-up in the 2011 competition, gaining national recognition and helping them further their humanitarian goals.  Those goals focus on helping homeless children by donating a portion of every show’s proceeds to foundations for homeless children. Their travel and performances in the two Sunday shows of Circus PAWS are donated to benefit the rescued animals.

Individuals who have seen Circus PAWS performance troupe have remarked at how exceptional they are for a variety of reasons:

“(This show) Le PeTiT CiRqUe is magical and entertaining – further proof that a circus needs no animal performers to be spectacular.” –Bob Barker

“… provides something completely outside of the box, a vibrant circus that stokes the fires of creativity and enthusiasm.” –Stewart Copeland, drummer for the Police

Additional special guest artists include:

  • Julian Pavone, Guinness Book’s youngest professional drummer
  • Kaelyn Whaley, 8-time World Karate Champion
  • Rio Mangini, Carnegie Hall protégé pianist
  • Luminario Ballet
  • Kevin Axtell, master juggler and fire artist
  • Doriana Sanchez, choreographer to musical legends such as Cher, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole and Rita Moreno, as well as singer Shakira and comedy superstar Ellen DeGeneres. Doriana is currently resident choreographer on “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Also highlighted in the show is the pending legislation in Congress labeled HR 3359, the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA). Introduced on November 2, 2011, in Washington, D.C., by PAWS, Animal Defenders International, Bob Barker and CSI’s Jorja Fox. This measure will help end the use of animals in traveling circuses in the United States.

ABOUT PAWS
Founded in 1984, by former Hollywood animal trainer and author, Pat Derby, and her partner, Ed Stewart, PAWS maintains three sanctuaries for captive wildlife in Northern California. Visit PAWS website at www.pawsweb.org.

The original PAWS SANCTUARY, comprised of 30 acres in Galt, California, is a haven of treasured memories and senior residents enjoying their Golden years, oblivious to the passing of time. As preparations continue with construction of new animal habitats and the relocation of the remaining animals from the Galt facility to the expanded 2,300-acre ARK 2000 sanctuary in San Andreas, PAWS hosted its final Galt Sanctuary open house in May, 2011.

The AMANDA BLAKE MEMORIAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, 100 acres in Herald, California, established in Ms. Blake’s (Miss Kitty from “Gunsmoke”) memory, provides refuge for fallow deer, eland, Muntjack deer and a herd of scimitar-horned oryx. Through this sanctuary, PAWS continues Amanda’s commitment to the protection of animals in captivity as well as in the wild.

ARK 2000, 2,300 acres of pristine, natural habitat in San Andreas, California. ARK 2000 is currently home to elephants, lions, bears and tigers, and is the only sanctuary in the United States offering sanctuary to bull elephants.

The story of PAWS began when co-founder, Pat Derby, worked with exotic animals as a trainer on the set of many popular television shows in the 1970s (“Flipper”, “Daktari”, “Gunsmoke”, “Lassie”, “Gentle Ben”) and other animal films. She was also the trainer and spokesperson for famed Lincoln Mercury “Sign of the Cat” car commercial cougars – Chauncey and Christopher. In the process of developing her own training methods based on trust and love, instead of fear, Pat was shocked to discover a profession rampant with neglect and abuse. Her autobiography, “The Lady and Her Tiger” (Dutton 1976), was the first exposé of the harsh training methods and minimal care which were standard in the entertainment industry.

It was during this time that Pat met Ed Stewart and retired her animals, but stories of abusive training on movie and television sets prompted them to advocate for legislation which would mandate better standards of care and handling for captive wildlife.

Pat Derby has appeared on “Entertainment Tonight”, “The Crusaders”, “Inside Edition”, “Nightline”, “Inside America’s Courts”, “The World’s Most Dangerous Animals”, “Dateline”, “20/20″, “Animal Planet”, “The Leeza Show”, “Montel Williams”, ” The Today Show”, “CBS Evening News”, “The Fine Living Network”, “Animal Planet”, “PBS Television” and other local and national television news and radio programs educating the public on the need to protect wildlife habitat and to control captive breeding of exotic animal species.

Pat Derby and Ed Stewart pioneered a method of elephant handling that uses NO bull hooks, weapons or aversive training techniques. PAWS was the first facility to use this “non-dominance” technique successfully, and since 1985, the work of Derby and Stewart has been a model for elephant handlers around the world.

PAWS is internationally recognized as a leader in animal welfare; among PAWS’ greatest concerns is the treatment of animals in traveling shows, animal acts, television and movies, captive breeding, the exotic animal trade and inadequate standards of care for all captive wildlife.

PAWS also protects wild species and their habitat with international programs established in India, Mexico, Africa and Cambodia to diminish human/elephant conflict and to establish protected areas for wildlife. Pat Derby and Ed Stewart are advisory board members for Elephant Haven, a European elephant sanctuary.

PAWS is a proud member of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and is listed as a 4-star charity with Charity Navigator.

 

World renowned choreographer Doriana Sanchez joins the creative team for Circus PAWS!

Posted by on Sep 4, 2012 in news | Comments Off

Download release as PDF San Andreas, CA — The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is pleased to announced that choreographer Doriana Sanchez has joined the creative team for Circus PAWS, along with Nathalie Yves Gaulthier, director of Le Petit Cirque. Circus PAWS, a benefit for rescued and retired performing animals, will be held September 29- 30 at Avalon Hollywood.

Circus PAWS features animal-free entertainment starring Le Petit Cirque, a troupe of professional young aerial artists, contortionists, and acrobats ages 6 to 14, along with special guest appearances by boy band IM5, singer Katharine Kramer, The Silhouettes from “America’s Got Talent”, as well as child prodigies Rio Mangini (concert pianist), Julian Pavone (world’s youngest pro drummer), and Kaelyn Whaley (world champion 9-year old martial artist). Tickets and information for the three performances are available at www.circuspaws.com.

As a dancer, Doriana’s image is forever remembered as the “polka dot dress girl” which opens and closes the iconic film Dirty Dancing. Well known for creating beautiful and extraordinary images for stage and screen, she has gone on to become one of the most successful director/choreographers in entertainment, leading Ryan Seacrest to call her the “dancing queen” on E News!

Most recently, Doriana created and directed Cher’s latest extravaganza, Cher at the Colosseum. The show was a huge hit, selling out nightly during its three year, 200-plus performances at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Doriana also conceived, directed and choreographed Cher’s Living Proof tour, which was honored with four Emmy Awards including Outstanding Musical Variety Special. The show was seen by over three million people during its 325 performances, and ranks as one of the most successful tours in history, grossing over $200,000,000.  Doriana was nominated for an Emmy for Best Choreography for the show’s HBO special.

Doriana has directed and choreographed numerous live stage productions and concerts, Peter Gabriel’s Secret World Tour, and her production of Barry Manilow’s Copacabana was nominated for Best New Musical in London. She has worked with musical legends such as Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Rita Moreno, Shakira, and David Foster musical prodigies Jackie Evancho and Charice, as well as comedy superstar Ellen DeGeneres.

Doriana’s television credits include the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Divas Live, Euro VMAs, Blockbuster Awards, and nine seasons as Resident Choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance.  She is also a two-time American Choreography Award nominee.

Opposed to the use of animals in entertainment, PAWS has consistently maintained that circus can be great entertainment without the use of live animals, and this show will demonstrate how it can be done, all the while allowing the 28-year-old non-profit animal welfare organization to gain wider awareness from the public.

Individuals who have seen this performance troupe have remarked at how exceptional they are for a variety of reasons:

“(This show) Le PeTiT CiRqUe is magical and entertaining – further proof that a circus needs no animal performers to be spectacular.” –Bob Barker

“… provides something completely outside of the box, a vibrant circus that stokes the fires of creativity and enthusiasm.” –Stewart Copeland, drummer for the Police

Additional special guest artists include:

  • Julian Pavone, Guinness Book’s youngest professional drummer
  • Kaelyn Whaley, 8-time World Karate Champion
  • Rio Mangini, Carnegie Hall protégé pianist
  • Luminario Ballet
  • Kevin Axtell, master juggler and fire artist

Also highlighted in the show is the pending legislation in Congress labeled HR 3359, the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA). Introduced on November 2, 2011, in Washington, D.C., by PAWS, Animal Defenders International, Bob Barker and CSI’s Jorja Fox, this measure will help end the use of animals in traveling circuses in the United States.

ABOUT PAWS
Founded in 1984, by former Hollywood animal trainer and author, Pat Derby, and her partner, Ed Stewart, PAWS maintains three sanctuaries for captive wildlife in Northern California.

The original PAWS SANCTUARY, comprised of 30 acres in Galt, California, is a haven of treasured memories and senior residents enjoying their Golden years, oblivious to the passing of time. As preparations continue with construction of new animal habitats and the relocation of the remaining animals from the Galt facility to the expanded 2,300-acre ARK 2000 sanctuary in San Andreas, PAWS hosted its final Galt Sanctuary open house in May, 2011.

The AMANDA BLAKE MEMORIAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, 100 acres in Herald, California, established in Ms. Blake’s (Miss Kitty from “Gunsmoke”) memory, provides refuge for fallow deer, eland, Muntjack deer and a herd of scimitar-horned oryx. Through this sanctuary, PAWS continues Amanda’s commitment to the protection of animals in captivity as well as in the wild.

ARK 2000, 2,300 acres of pristine, natural habitat in San Andreas, California. ARK 2000 is currently home to elephants, lions, bears and tigers, and is the only sanctuary in the United States offering sanctuary to bull elephants.

The story of PAWS began when co-founder, Pat Derby, worked with exotic animals as a trainer on the set of many popular television shows in the 1970s (“Flipper”, “Daktari”, “Gunsmoke”, “Lassie”, “Gentle Ben”) and other animal films. She was also the trainer and spokesperson for famed Lincoln Mercury “Sign of the Cat” car commercial cougars – Chauncey and Christopher. In the process of developing her own training methods based on trust and love, instead of fear, Pat was shocked to discover a profession rampant with neglect and abuse. Her autobiography, “The Lady and Her Tiger” (Dutton 1976), was the first exposé of the harsh training methods and minimal care which were standard in the entertainment industry.

It was during this time that Pat met Ed Stewart and retired her animals, but stories of abusive training on movie and television sets prompted them to advocate for legislation which would mandate better standards of care and handling for captive wildlife.

Pat Derby has appeared on “Entertainment Tonight”, “The Crusaders”, “Inside Edition”, “Nightline”, “Inside America’s Courts”, “The World’s Most Dangerous Animals”, “Dateline”, “20/20″, “Animal Planet”, “The Leeza Show”, “Montel Williams”, ” The Today Show”, “CBS Evening News”, “The Fine Living Network”, “Animal Planet”, “PBS Television” and other local and national television news and radio programs educating the public on the need to protect wildlife habitat and to control captive breeding of exotic animal species.

Pat Derby and Ed Stewart pioneered a method of elephant handling that uses NO bull hooks, weapons or aversive training techniques. PAWS was the first facility to use this “non-dominance” technique successfully, and since 1985, the work of Derby and Stewart has been a model for elephant handlers around the world.

PAWS is internationally recognized as a leader in animal welfare; among PAWS’ greatest concerns is the treatment of animals in traveling shows, animal acts, television and movies, captive breeding, the exotic animal trade and inadequate standards of care for all captive wildlife.

PAWS also protects wild species and their habitat with international programs established in India, Mexico, Africa and Cambodia to diminish human/elephant conflict and to establish protected areas for wildlife. Pat Derby and Ed Stewart are advisory board members for Elephant Haven, a European elephant sanctuary.

PAWS is a proud member of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and is listed as a 4-star charity with Charity Navigator.

Hot New Boy Band To Open Circus PAWS VIP Show

Posted by on Aug 19, 2012 in news | Comments Off

Celebs Line-up to Participate in Animal Welfare Benefit Shows

Download release as a PDF IM5, the exciting new boy-band founded by “American Idol” creator, Simon Fuller, media icon, Perez Hilton, and acclaimed tour director Jamie King, has agreed to open the special VIP performance of Circus PAWS at 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, at Avalon Hollywood. The band will feature a live set of their original tunes. This multi-talented quintet fuses hook-driven Pop and R&B melodies with sensational vocal harmonies and dance. “They’ll make an exciting addition to this very special occasion,” said Robert Gelman, Circus PAWS producer. Info on the band is available at www.im5band.com.

Also featured in this VIP show will be actress and singer Katharine Kramer.  The shows, a benefit for rescued and retired performing animals living at the Performing Animal Welfare Society’s (PAWS) three Northern California sanctuaries, will be based on an original script with performances by members of Nathalie Gaulthier’s Le Petit Cirque, a troupe of young professionals, ages 7-14, whose mastery of performance skills always thrills and amazes audiences.

Tickets and information for all three performances of Circus PAWS, September 29-30, Avalon Hollywood, are available at www.circuspaws.com.

Opposed to the use of animals in entertainment, PAWS has consistently maintained that circus can be great entertainment without the use of live animals, and this show will demonstrate how it can be done, all the while allowing the 28-year-old non-profit animal welfare organization to gain wider awareness from the public.

Individuals who have seen this performance troupe have remarked at how exceptional they are for a variety of reasons:

“(This show) Le PeTiT CiRqUe is magical and entertaining – further proof that a circus needs no animal performers to be spectacular.” –Bob Barker

“… provides something completely outside of the box, a vibrant circus that stokes the fires of creativity and enthusiasm.” –Stewart Copeland, drummer for the Police

Additional special guest artists include:

  • Julian Pavone, Guinness Book’s youngest professional drummer
  • Kaelyn Whaley, 8-time World Karate Champion
  • Rio Mangini, Carnegie Hall protégé pianist
  • Luminario Ballet
  • Kevin Axtell, master juggler and fire artist

Also highlighted in the show is the pending legislation in Congress labeled HR 3359, the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA). Introduced on November 2, 2011, in Washington, D.C., by PAWS, Animal Defenders International, Bob Barker and CSI’s Jorja Fox, this measure will help end the use of animals in traveling circuses in the United States.

Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary Presents a Circus with a Purpose Highlighting Animal-Free Performances

Posted by on Jul 27, 2012 in news | Comments Off

Download Release as a PDF

The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) will debut an original, live-action, animal-free circus at Hollywood’s historic Avalon Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30, 2012. Dubbed “Circus PAWS”, this unique circus benefits the 28-year-old wildlife rescue organization’s animals, and will feature an original script with performances by members of Nathalie Gaulthier’s Le Petit Cirque, a troupe of young performers, ages 7-14, whose mastery of performance skills will thrill and amaze guests. Tickets for the three performances are available online at www.circuspaws.com.

Based in Northern California, PAWS is an internationally recognized leader in animal welfare. Among its greatest concerns is the treatment of animals in traveling shows. PAWS maintains it is not anti-circus, but rather anti-circus with live animal performers.

“Human circus performers choose to work tirelessly to perfect their skills, and devote their lives to their art; animal performers cannot make that choice,” states PAWS founder and director, Pat Derby. “The use of live animals actually detracts from the talent and artistry of the human performers, as everyone who attends Circus PAWS will soon discover.”

Life for a circus animal means enduring the stress of chains and confinement, harsh travel conditions, as well as being subjected to the inhumane methods used to train and control the animals. Circus PAWS will demonstrate how exciting a circus without animals can be, all the while heightening public awareness to the issue.

#     #     #     #

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Le PeTiT CiRqUe is a professional troupe of performers, ages 6-13, who rank among the top in the world in aerial arts, juggling, trapeze, hoops, silks, acrobatics, stilts, skateboards, contortionists, and martial arts. They have mesmerized audiences worldwide – selling out shows, wowing audiences, and making the impossible look easy. . . a pint-sized version of “Cirque du Soleil meets Marcel Marceau.”

Guest artists for Circus PAWS include:

  • Julian Pavone, Guinness Book’s youngest professional drummer
  • Kaelyn Whaley, 8-time World Champion Martial Artist
  • Rio Mangini, musical child prodigy who has played Carnegie Hall twice
  • Luminario Ballet

#     #     #     #

PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT LE PETIT CIRQUE

“Le PeTiT CiRqUe is magical and entertaining – further proof that a circus needs no animal performers to be spectacular.” – Bob Barker, Emmy Award-winning game show host and humanitarian

“Le PeTiT CiRqUe provides something completely outside of the box, a vibrant circus that stokes the fires of creativity and enthusiasm.” – Stewart Copeland, drummer for the band The Police

“Are you kidding me? These are CHILDREN! This is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen!” –  Jamie Lee Curtis, actress and author

#     #     #     #

ABOUT PAWS

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, live in peace and dignity.

Founded in 1984, by former Hollywood animal trainer and author, Pat Derby, and her partner, Ed Stewart, PAWS is an internationally recognized leader in animal welfare. Among PAWS greatest concerns are the treatment of animals in traveling shows, animal acts, television and movies, captive breeding, the exotic animal trade and inadequate standards of care for all captive wildlife.

PAWS has always 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.

PAWS’ was the first elephant sanctuary in the United States and the only sanctuary able to house bull elephants. Pat Derby and Ed Stewart pioneered a method of elephant handling that uses NO bull hooks, weapons or aversive training techniques. PAWS was the first facility to use this “non-dominance” technique successfully, and since 1985, the work of Derby and Stewart has been a model for elephant handlers around the world.

PAWS also protects wild species and their habitat with international programs established in India, Mexico, Africa and Cambodia to diminish human/elephant conflict and to establish protected areas for wildlife. Pat and Ed serve as advisory board members for Elephant Haven, a European elephant sanctuary.

PAWS is a proud member of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and is listed as a 4-star charity with Charity Navigator.

#     #     #     #

PAWS CAPTIVE WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

The original PAWS SANCTUARY, comprised of 30 acres in Galt, California, is a haven of treasured memories and senior residents enjoying their golden years, oblivious to the passing of time.

The AMANDA BLAKE MEMORIAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, 100 acres in Herald, California, established in Ms. Blake’s (Miss Kitty from “Gunsmoke”) memory, provides refuge for emu, fallow deer, an eland,  and a herd of scimitar-horned oryx. Through this sanctuary, PAWS continues Amanda’s commitment to the protection of animals in captivity as well as in the wild.

ARK 2000, 2,300 acres of pristine, natural habitat in San Andreas, California. ARK 2000 is currently home to elephants, lions, bears and tigers, and is the only sanctuary in the United States offering sanctuary to bull elephants.

#     #     #     #

H.R. 3359 — The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA)

Introduced on November 2, 2011, in Washington, D.C., by PAWS, Congressman Jim Moran, Animal Defenders International, and animal protection spokespersons Bob Barker and Jorja Fox, TEAPA  will restrict the use of exotic and non-domesticated animals in traveling circuses and exhibitions.

Based upon publically-available research, and video and photographic evidence, it is clear that traveling circuses cannot provide the proper living conditions for these exotic animals. That is why this legislation is intended to target just the most egregious circumstances involving exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses. It is not intended to affect zoos, aquariums, horse racing, rodeos, or permanent facilities where animals travel out for film, television or advertising work.

Keeping elephants in chains, confining wild animals like lions and tigers in small cages, and forcing them to perform unnatural tricks for the sole purpose of human amusement, is increasingly difficult to justify the more we learn about these intelligent, social creatures.

This is the first bill to comprehensively tackle the use of all wild animals in circuses ever to be launched in the U.S. The Bill will end the keeping of animals for extended periods in temporary facilities, the cruel training and control methods employed by circuses and it addresses public safety issues. It will not impact zoos or other static facilities with captive wildlife.

Philanthropist and TV host of “The Price Is Right”, Bob Barker, said: “There will be a time when people will be shocked that we ever allowed the suffering of these animals in the name of entertainment to continue so long. Elephants living in chains and being beaten; lions and tigers in small cages on trucks, being whipped to perform tricks; it’s the dark ages. This Bill helps bring us out of the dark ages.”