FOUR PAWS South Africa

Give a rescued big cat a second chance 🐾🦁 Through our Big Cat Adoption Programme, you can symbolically adopt a lion or tiger at @lionsrock.bigcatsanctuary and support their lifelong care, from food and enrichment to vital veterinary treatment. Adopt today and be part of their journey from rescue to recovery ❤️ LINK IN BIO.

💡 Did you know? During National Wills Week (15–19 Sept 2025), participating attorneys will draft your Will for FREE! ✨ Join us on Wed, 10 Sep at 11am for a Facebook Live with legal expert Sarah Bond @legallyblonde_za , Founder of @bondandassociates_attorneysinc We’ll unpack: ✔ Why a valid Will matters ✔ What to consider when drafting ✔ How to leave a legacy gift to FOUR PAWS ✔ Busting myths about Wills 💬 Got questions? Drop them in the comments or DM us, we’ll cover as many as possible during the live! 🔗 Register your interest: LINK IN BIO #NationalWillsWeek #LegacyPlanning #FOURPAWS #AnimalWelfare

Happy Rescueversary to our resident king, Romeo 👑✨🥳 Two years ago today, Romeo made his grand entrance to @lionsrock.bigcatsanctuary and traded circus life for true sanctuary. Born in France on 28 July 2019, Romeo’s early years were marked by hardship. He belonged to a circus owner who used him in performances, he lived in a 2x5m cage inside a truck with limited access to the outdoors. When the circus went bankrupt, Romeo was neglected. 😟 Today? Romeo is living the glam lion era 🤍🦁. Grass beneath his paws, room to roam, sunshine on his mane, and the safety he always deserved. Here’s to two years of care, healing, and main character energy at @lionsrock.bigcatsanctuary ✨🐾

Don’t let a "heartwarming" sales pitch mask a cruel reality: the idea that captive-bred cubs are released into the wild is purely a myth. In reality, these animals are victims of a vicious cycle where they are speed-bred for tourist selfies, habituated to humans, and eventually sold into trophy hunting or the lion bone trade once they grow too large to pet. Every "cuddle" session only fuels a multi-million rand industry that treats sentient beings as disposable commodities. Help us #BreakTheViciousCycle by signing the petition in our bio to ban the commercial trade of big cats in South Africa. 🦁💔

Behind some jackets, coats, and luxury designer pieces are stories we don’t often see, stories of animals farmed for fur, feathers, or wool under cruel conditions, and production practices that put profit before compassion. 💔 Kindness is a choice we can wear every day. There are beautiful, warm, and ethical alternatives that don’t rely on suffering only thoughtful purchases. 🛍️🩷 This winter, choose to stand for something softer than fabric and stronger than trends. Choose kindness. 🐑🪿🦊 #ShopEthically #WearItKind #LiveKinder

We’ve all seen the photos. The cub petting, the “walks” with lions, the bottle-feeding sessions. It looks like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It feels like you’re helping. That’s far from the truth. Breeding facilities aren’t saving animals; they’re breeding them for profit. That cub being held is part of a commercial pipeline that treats apex predators like props. Once they’re too big to be “cute” or safe for photos, they’re traded, sold for their bones, or discarded. DETHRONED pulls back the curtain on the industry that turns big cats into commodities. If you can touch them, they aren’t being protected, they’re being exploited. It’s time to stop liking the photos and start looking at the truth. ✊ 🎬 Watch the documentary on @curiositystream . 🔗 LINK IN BIO. ©️ Aaron Gekoski

700,000 voices. One clear message: #EndTheDogAndCatMeatTrade. 🐾 Every year, millions of dogs and cats are snatched, crammed into cages, and transported in horrific conditions in Indonesia. This industry is pure cruelty and a massive public health risk. We recently joined forces with Tony Gerrans, Executive Director of @humaneworldforanimals , to hand over a global bid with 700,000 signatures demanding an end to this trade. It’s time for the world to choose compassion over cruelty. 🔗 Check the link in our bio to read the full story.

Prince Charming update 🦁✨ Once kept as a household pet in Johannesburg, Chaka’s early life was far from what a lion deserves. After being rescued and given a second chance at @pantheraafricasanctuary , he’s now continuing his recovery journey at @lionsrock.bigcatsanctuary following the devastating Overberg fires. As he settles in, Chaka has needed a little extra support finding his rhythm. Feeding time can sometimes feel overwhelming for him, so our team worked closely with Panthera Africa to gently adapt his routine. With patience, care and a tailored approach, he’s growing more confident and overcoming these challenges step by step. Beyond that, Chaka remains the majestic lion so many have come to love. He’s enjoying his species-appropriate enclosure, exploring his space, and embracing all the enrichment. 🧡 Your donation supports his recovery, nutrition and the gentle routines helping him thrive again: .za/safety-for-displaced-lions

🥳 Today, we’re celebrating Rafik🐯, Mirza🐯 and Zita🐯 as they mark an incredible 11 years in their forever home at LIONSROCK. ⛰️ These beloved tigers have spent more than a decade thriving in peace, care and love here at LIONSROCK. 🐾 ⭐ Rafik is in age-appropriate condition and doing well overall. His only health challenge so far has been ingrown claws, which can occur more often with arthritis or limited mobility, but he continues to enjoy his days with ease. ⭐ Mirza lives with chronic kidney disease and receives ongoing treatment and observation. At times his appetite dips, so he gets antinausea support along with a kidney friendly diet—including special renal supplements tailored for big cats. ⭐ Zita also has chronic kidney disease, though less advanced than Mirza’s. We treat her arthritis in her shoulder, which she feels especially when the weather changes, but with attentive care she continues to thrive. On some mornings you’ll find them sharing one platform together, almost as if they’ve assigned themselves a communal bed. Send your well wishes down in the comments. 🎊 Learn more about their journey to LIONSROCK. LINK IN BIO 👆 #Animalwelfare #Bigcat #LIONSROCK #FOURPAWS #Sanctuary

The stage is set. The facts are ready! Are you? 📢 🐾 Tomorrow, I’m joining @fourpaws.za for the State of Animal Welfare Address (#SOAWA2026). From the commercial trade of big cats to the welfare of farm animals and companion animals, we’re diving into how real change can be made. What kind of South Africa do we choose to be? Don’t miss the livestream - 5th May, 7pm - 9pm! Click the link in my bio to be part of the conversation. 🐅

We are proud to announce that Policy Advisor for FOUR PAWS South Africa, Nicola van Wyk will be presenting on the State of Companion Animal Welfare at #SOAWA 2026. Join us as she unpacks how we can move toward a future where every companion animal is valued and protected. 🗓 Tuesday, 5 May 2026 🕖 7pm - 9pm 📍 Live on YouTube 🔗 Register via the link in our bio!

Bakari was once used as a photo prop, a victim of the cruel trade that treats sentient beings as tourist attractions. But the "perfect shot" isn't worth a life in captivity. 💔 This #InternationalLeopardDay, we celebrate Bakari’s journey to LIONSROCK and remind the world that wild animals are #NotPhotosProps. 💫 #Animalwelfare #Bigcat #LIONSROCK #FOURPAWS #Sanctuary