World Tourism Day isn’t just about celebrating travel—it’s also an opportunity to recognize how ethical choices can impact the planet and its most vulnerable inhabitants. This year, we’re taking a journey “Around the World with FOUR PAWS,” an international animal welfare organization creating safe sanctuaries for animals who have been rescued from exploitation, abuse, or neglect. From the grasslands of South Africa to the forests of Europe and the jungles of Asia, FOUR PAWS sanctuaries stand as living testaments to compassion, protection, and sustainability.
Each sanctuary is more than just a safe haven. It represents hope, safety, and a second chance at life for animals who have endured unthinkable suffering. Every dot on the map where FOUR PAWS operates marks a place where humans have chosen to protect rather than exploit, where survival is transformed into dignity, and where nature is allowed to thrive in balance with humanity.
Sanctuaries Across the Globe
- South Africa’s Grasslands – Home to majestic big cats like lions and tigers rescued from captivity, canned hunting, or the entertainment industry. These animals now roam wide-open natural enclosures, finally able to live as they were meant to.
- Europe’s Forests – Bears once forced to perform in circuses or kept in tiny enclosures are now free to forage, climb, and hibernate in spacious, species-appropriate habitats across sanctuaries in countries like Austria, Germany, and beyond.
- Asia’s Jungles – FOUR PAWS sanctuaries in Asia focus on saving animals from illegal wildlife trade and cruel practices, including bile bear farming. These rescues highlight the urgent need to end wildlife exploitation across the region.
Tourism with a Purpose
As travelers, where we choose to go and how we spend our time has a direct impact on animals and the environment. Supporting organizations like FOUR PAWS means participating in a form of tourism that gives back. Instead of contributing to industries that exploit animals for entertainment, eco-conscious travelers can align with efforts that provide care, healing, and a permanent sanctuary.
Visiting or supporting these sanctuaries offers more than an educational experience—it empowers people to see the bigger picture: a world where animals no longer suffer for human amusement or profit. It’s a vision of sustainable tourism where compassion and conservation lead the way.
A Global Rescue Network
At the heart of this mission is a global rescue network dedicated to saving lives and building a more humane future. You can learn more about these efforts and discover ways to get involved through Sustainable Action Now’s Rescue Network. Each partnership, each sanctuary, and each animal rescued strengthens the collective call for a more ethical world.
Why It Matters on World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day reminds us that travel is a privilege—and with it comes responsibility. By supporting sanctuaries and choosing ethical tourism, we can reshape the industry into one that celebrates culture, biodiversity, and animal welfare. The story of FOUR PAWS proves that positive change is possible, and that tourism and conservation can go hand in hand when rooted in respect and compassion.
The Road Ahead
As FOUR PAWS continues to expand its reach, every new sanctuary stands as proof that the fight against animal cruelty is global and ongoing. From South Africa’s lions to Europe’s bears to Asia’s endangered wildlife, the mission is the same: rescue, protect, and provide for life.
On this World Tourism Day, let’s celebrate the sanctuaries that are rewriting what tourism and conservation can mean. Together, we can build a future where every rescued animal has a place to call home—and every traveler has the chance to make a difference.
