Chosen Charities

The Elephant Nature Foundation

The Elephant Nature FoundationFounded by my angelic friend, Sangduen ‘Lek’ Chailert, Elephant Nature Foundation is a non-profit organization which advocates and acts on the behalf of the rights of Asian elephants in Thailand.  Mission Statement:  To increase awareness about the plight of the endangered Asian Elephant, educate locals on the humane treatment of their elephants, and provide sanctuary for rescued elephants at our nature park.  Elephant Nature Park provides a safe home to rescued elephants who were previously abused and neglected. view photos

1 Ratmakka Road, T. Phra Sing, A. Muang
Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
Tel: 66-53-272-855      

The mailing address in the United Kingdom:
Hilltop, Windmill Hill, Shere Road
West Horsely, Surrey KT24 6EJ

The mailing address in the US:
4764 Brookton Way
St. Louis, MO 63128

Cheetah Outreach

In January 1997, my gorgeous friend, Annie Beckhelling, launched the project with a hectare of land provided by Spier Wine Estates located in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Cheetah Outreach then set out to introduce cheetah to the South African community in order to raise awareness for the plight of the endangered cheetah. In the first year alone, Cheetah Outreach and Shadow, the first ambassador
cheetah, visited more than 50,000 men, women, and children by traveling to educational facilities, community clubs, hotels, malls, and various public events. Cheetah Outreach concentrates on awareness, education, and Anatolian Shepherd non-lethal predator control initiatives.  This organization is integral to the survival of the cheetah.  Let's not let the fastest cat on earth lose their race against time.

Cheetah Outreach

Cheetah Outreach
P.O.Box 116
Lynedoch
7603 South Africa
Tel:  +27 21 809 1188
cheetah@intekom.co.za

The Gorilla Foundation

The Gorilla FoundationFounded my by brilliant friend, Dr. Penny Patterson, the Gorilla Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 corporation dedicated to the preservation, protection and well-being of gorillas through interspecies communication research and education. The foundation was established in 1976  and is best known for it's groundbreaking work with two western lowland gorillas, Koko and MIchael, who were taught to become fluent in American Sign Language. Today, more than 25 years later, Koko - the world's most renowned gorilla - is drawing on a vocabulary of more than 1,000 words.

Box 620-640
Woodside, CA 94062
(650) 851-8505/ MEGOAPE  |  hanabiko@earthlink.net

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

In 1974, and after years of trial and error, Dame Daphne Sheldrick managed to keep a newborn infant alive for the first 6 months of life, but grief and stress related illness took her life when Daphne had to be absent from her for a week in order to attend to the arrangements for the wedding of her daughter, Jill, even though a competent substitute was in place.   However, little “Aisha” (whose story is on the website) mourned the loss of yet another mother figure so deeply that she died in Daphne’s arms the day she returned.

It was not until 1987, and after the death of her beloved husband, David, that Daphne finally achieved success in rearing the infant elephants, the first being a 2 week old victim of poaching named “Olmeg”, who today is a bull of 18.   Poaching and other human related disasters followed and other orphans were rescued.   By June 2005, sixty seven  infant African elephants had been successfully hand-reared by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust established in memory of David, all under the very close supervision of Daphne Sheldrick.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife TrustContact in Kenya: THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
P.O. Box 15555
Mbagathi, 00503
NAIROBI  KENYA
Email: rc-h@africaonline.co.ke  |  Tel: +254 (0) 20 891 996  |  Fax: +254 (0) 20 890 053

Contact in the UK: THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
PO Box 133
Ashtead  Surrey
KT21 9AB
Email: infouk@sheldrickwildlifetrust.org  |  Tel: +44 (0)1372 365186      

US FRIENDS OF THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
One Indiana Square, Suite 2800
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2079 USA

The Global White Lion Protection Trust

The Global White Lion Protection TrustThe Timbavati, South Africa

Identified as a sacred site by African Kings for many hundreds of years, the name "Tsimba-vaati" in the ancient Shangaan language means "the place where star-lions came down from the heavens".  The African elders explained the lions’ mysterious white color in spiritual terms, meaning “angelic messengers from God,” and "purity and enlightenment" beyond all racial connotations.

After studying the ancient knowledge of the White Lions with African elders for over ten years, my genius friend, author and conservationist, Linda Tucker, founded the Global White Lion Protection Trust in 2002. The mission of the Trust is two-fold: firstly, to protect the lions themselves, which are at great risk from aggressive speed-breeding programs and trophy hunting, and secondly, to protect the indigenous knowledge that holds them sacred.

Cat Assistance Team (CAT) in coalition with The Emma Animal Rescue Society

A few years ago two of my heroic South African students, Rita Brock and Mandy Wilson, were alerted to overcrowding at Pollsmoor Prison, one of the most high-security prisons in the world, (where Nelson Mandela was once kept) but it wasn’t about prisoners this time – it was the overcrowding of cats.  Many hardened criminals had tenderly adopted and fallen in love with “their” kittens, whom they smuggled into their cells in their laundry.  The Cat Assistance Team (CAT) has been working under the auspices of TEARS, and has since trapped and sterilised about 100 feral cats in the prison – converting the rest of the prisoners and warders into cat lovers as they find comfort and companionship with their new feline friends.

These cats and kittens have purred their way into the hearts of inmates, helping them rediscover how to play and teaching them about compassion and emotional healing.  I visited the cat-loving criminals personally and took a Carte Blanche film crew to interview the inmates—most whom are serving life-sentences—to hear the tearful stories of how much they adore and treasure the kittens that the authorities would like to take away.  At that time, Rita and Mandy had already single-handedly spayed and neutered over 350 feral cats in the prison and provide food as well as medical care with their own money. Thankfully, they now how the assistance of TEARS, but they need your help.

Cat Assistance Team (CAT)TEARS
PO Box 22376
Fish Hoek
Cape Town 7974

Office, Kennels and Cattery: 021 785 4482
Emergencies: 083 651 6343 (Marilyn Hoole)
Fax:  021 785 4354  |  tears@tears.org.za

Lions, Tigers and Bears

Lions, Tigers and BearsFounded by my wonderful friend, Bobbi Brink, Lions, Tigers and Bears is a federally and state licensed non-profit 501(c)(3) rescue facility outside of San Diego, California dedicated to providing a safe haven for unwanted and abused exotic cats. We are a NO KILL facility that allows cats in our care the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment. Our goal is to provide a safe haven to rescued cats and to educate the public about the growing population of abandoned and unwanted exotic animals and where they come from.

1920 #7 Joe Crosson Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020
Tel: ( 619) 659-8078  |  info@lionstigerandbears.org

Elephant Family

Elephant family is a group of people including my friend, Lord Robin Russell, who each own, or personally look after, an Asian elephant and are drawn together by the common belief that societies should treat elephants with the respect, care and admiration that we would wish to extend to a member of any family.

Mission statement:  We recognize that building a world where humans and elephants can live in harmony is fraught with difficulties and conflicts. However, we believe that most people desire such a world and that if we act together in a spirit of honesty, innovation and transparency we can make a difference for elephants and people.

Elephant Family


81 Gower Street
London, WC1E6HJ
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7580 3184  |  Fax: +44 (0) 20 7580 3200

Head of fundraising and communications: Ruth Powys
Tel. +44(0) 7814 996 413 |  Email: ruth.powys@elephantfamily.org

Events and internet fundraising: Carly Vincent  |  carly@elephantfamily.org

PAWS LA

PAWS LAFounded by my treasured friend, Nadia Sutton, PAWS/LA (Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) is committed to creating solutions for disenfranchised pet owners facing the challenges of living with a disabling illness. Due to the sheer physical and financial burden faced by people living with medical disabilities, many individuals would be unable to keep, feed and care for their "friends" without the help of PAWS/LA. To that end PAWS/LA provides a comprehensive package of essential pet care services-all at no charge. There are PAWS chapters in many cities throughout the country.

PAWS/LA
1546 N. Argyle Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90028
Tel (323) 464-7297  |  info@pawsla.org

Last Chance For Animals

Last Chance For Animals

Founded by my brave friend, Chris DeRose, 1980s and 1990s, LCA has worked on virtually every animal rights issue, including farming, fur and animals in entertainment.  LCA's primary focuses are vivisection, pet theft, fur, and circuses.

Last Chance for Animals
8033 Sunset Blvd. #835
Los Angeles, CA 90046
PH: 310-271-6096      
FX: 310-271-1890

AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA)

AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA)

Founded by my daring friend, Lesley Rochat, AfriOceans is exciting shark conservation programme focused on the satellite tagging and releasing of captive ragged tooth sharks held at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, South Africa, as well as the tagging of wild ragged tooth sharks.

Lesley Rochat Founder
PO Box 22436, Fish Hoek, 7974
South Africa
Tel/Fax: + 27 (0)21 782 7590

The Humane Society of the United States

Run by my valiant tireless friend, President Wayne Pacelle, the Humane Society of the United States is America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect.  They work to reduce suffering and to create meaningful social change for animals by advocating for sensible public policies, investigating cruelty and working to enforce existing laws, educating the public about animal issues, joining with corporations on behalf of animal-friendly policies, and conducting hands-on programs that make ours a more humane world.  HSUS is the leading disaster relief agency for animals, and  provide direct care for thousands of animals at their sanctuaries and rescue facilities, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics. Mission statement: Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty.

The Humane Society of the United States2100 L. Street NW
Washington DC 20037
202-452-1100       
202-778-6132  (fax)

National Antivivisection Society US

National Antivivisection Society USThe National Anti-Vivisection Society is dedicated to abolishing the exploitation of animals used in research, education and product testing. NAVS promotes greater compassion, respect and justice for animals through educational programs based on respected ethical and scientific theory and supported by extensive documentation of the cruelty and waste of vivisection.

53 W. Jackson St.  Ste. 1552
Chicago, IL. 60604
1-800-888-NAVS  |  navs@navs.org

National Anti-Vivisection Society Limited UK

The NAVS group is comprised of four NGOs (non-governmental organisations) working to end the suffering of animals: the National Anti-Vivisection Society; Animal Defenders International; the Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research; and the Animal+World Show. Founded in 1875, the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) is the world’s first and leading anti-vivisection group, campaigning tirelessly since its inception to expose the cruelty and futility of animal experiments all over the world.

National Anti-Vivisection Society Limited UKNAVS Mission Statement:  Millions of animals suffer and die in cruel, unscientific, and futile experiments. Our objectives are to awaken the conscience of humanity in all parts of the world to the iniquity of experiments or processes causing suffering or distress to living creatures and to obtain legislation totally prohibiting all such experiments, and the breeding and supply of animals for such purposes.

261 Goldhawk Road
London W12 9PE
020 8846-9777  |  info@navs.org.uk

Safe Haven 4 Donkeys

Safe Haven 4 Donkeys
Safe Haven For Donkeys In The Holy Land is a permanent refuge centre and treatment programme in Israel where these animals are often enslaved as beasts of burden, beaten, neglected, tortured for fun by children, and then finally left to die when they have outlived their usefulness. This is the only organisation dedicated to the welfare of working and abandoned donkeys in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

Contact in the United Kingdom:

The Old Dairy, Springfield Farm,
Lewes Road, Scaynes Hill,
Haywards Heath,
West Sussex,
RH17 7NG
United Kingdom
Tel: 01444 831177
info@safehaven4donkeys.org