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 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.

The bile from the bears is used in traditional Chinese medicines and other household products, despite the fact that its medicinal properties can be found in plants.  Still the bears suffer needlessly and what must seem endlessly.

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.

It's very encouraging that recent weeks have seen an unprecedented surge in support from the people of China as the vale on this horrific industry is gradually getting lifted thanks to the courageous work of Animals Asia.  They are only able to continue this amazing work with support from people like you and me, so please give whatever you can to this noble cause and help bears like Jasper regain their freedom.  It'll be the best money you've ever spent.

I'm aiming to raise $10,000 (£6,200) over the next month.  And in return for your generous donations I will be 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.  A video of us doing last year's Tough Mudder can be seen by clicking here.

I know it’s an ambitious goal, but as an incentive, I am matching your donations myself (up to $2500 total).  My employer PepsiCo will eventually double match my personal contribution as long as I also volunteer for Animals Asia.  (which I'm also planning to do).

In addition, if we reach the target, 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).

I am also in the running for the Groupon Earth Day Challenge.  If we win, 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.

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.

If you feel compelled to do more, please spread the word to your friends, enemies, family and co-workers.  If you like, you can join my team and help me raise funds (you don’t have to run through the mud though).  Just click on “Join The Team”.

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

Kai

www.AnimalsAsia.org

www.facebook.com/AnimalsAsia