Kai Madden wrote -

This is Jasper.  He's an Asiatic Black Bear, also known as a Moon Bear due to the crescent shaped pattern on the chest.  To look at him now you wouldn't know that he spent 15 years locked in a cage the size of a coffin, having his gall bladder milked of bile.  But that's the extremely unfortunate reality for thousands of Moon Bears across China and Vietnam.

Fortunately, Animals Asia has made it their mission to rescue moon bears like Jasper, and put an end to this sickening practice.  Founded by Jill Robinson of the UK, Animals Asia operates two sanctuaries where the lucky few can live out the rest of their days with love, companionship and grass beneath their paws.   To date, they have liberated over 300 bears and will not rest until the thousands that still languish on farms today, are free.

I'm aiming to raise at least $10,000 (£6,200) to help rescue and care for more bears.  And in return for your generous donations I will be risking life and limb braving barbed wire, burning hay bales, dumpsters filled with green ice water, and dangling 10,000 volt electric cables while running the Tough Mudder on May 12th in Pennsylvania.  You can see the course here and why I’m asking so much to do it.

I'm in the running for the Groupon Earth Day Challenge.  If we raise the most money, it's an extra $25,000 (£15,500) for the bears!  I would love for us to be able to hand that check over to Jill and if we do, I will show my utmost appreciation and admiration for you all by shaving my head (there's not much, but I'm proud of what's there).

No donation is too small.  You can either donate by clicking the “Donate” button to the right.  Credit & Debit cards are accepted.  If you are outside the US, you can donate a dollar amount and your credit card company will convert it to your local currency automatically.  If you would like to donate via check/money order or Paypal, just drop me a line at kaimadden@aol.com.

Anyone who donates will be entered for a chance to win their very own, and very cute, Moon Teddy Bear Cub. There's 10 up for grabs! (see picture on the left)  

Thank you so much for your support.  It really means the world to me.

Kai

www.AnimalsAsia.org

www.facebook.com/AnimalsAsia

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