Bulgaria recently became the first country in the European Union to sign a contract mandating the humane treatment of animals. Four Paws Foundation, an international non-governmental organization, joined forces with agriculture minister, Valery Tsvetanov, to protect the country’s animal population. Four Paws President Helmut Dungler signed the contract that will foster future protections, similar to the foundation’s past work. One of their most well-known projects, the operation of the Dancing Bears Park, provides land for rescued “dancing bears.” An illegal but widespread form of inhumane treatment forces bear cubs to dance on hot plates while music is played, training them to “dance” when specific music is cued. Four Paws opened the sanctuary in 2000, and continues to be a pioneer in Bulgarian animal rights.