Story

After a last-minute cancellation, I gladly answered Animals Asia's urgent request to take up this place and join their fantastic China Trek this October.   Though it's not easy to raise funds at the best of times and I'm going to be living on bread and water for the foreseeable future, with thanks to an understanding boss I managed to rejig my holidays. It will be a very challenging journey for me, not only the trekking itself but also the accommodation as many places don't have running water and I'm a magnet for insects!   For those who don't know Animals Asia, please watch this <a href="http://youtu.be/DqamfM4P1yU">short video dedicated to Chengdu Truth</a>. This, if nothing else, will show you why I'm willing to go to the ends of the earth to help these animals.   In this case, it's not to the ends of the world but to a very remote part of China and the blisters, aching legs, insect bites and uncomfortable nights in a sleeping bag are nothing when compared to what these innocent animals suffer.   I'm truly honoured to be doing something that will help -even a little bit- to bring their suffering to an end. So please help me to help the animals that we all care about so much and donate as much as you can today.   A bit about the reason for my trek  Thousands of beautiful and intelligent moon bears are still trapped on bile farms in China and Vietnam, often in tiny wire cages or “crush” cages where they have their bile cruelly extracted several times a day or through a permanently dripping hole in their abdomen. They are starved and kept dehydrated to produce more bile and live in constant fear and pain. Yet there are over 60 herbal and synthetic alternatives, which are cheaper and safer than bile from such sick bears.  All the bears rescued by Animals Asia and brought home to their leafy sanctuaries in China and Vietnam need medical attention and lifelong care as they cannot be released into the wild. Many have never seen the sun or stood on grass but with our help they can do both and so much more. Animals Asia is also working to stop the cruel dog and cat meat trade. A large numbers of dogs and cats are raised for food in many Asian countries including China, Vietnam and Korea. Estimates suggest that in China alone over 15 million dogs and 4 million cats may be killed and eaten each year. The raising and transporting of dogs and cats to markets causes severe suffering and often death. For the many millions that make it to live animal markets the cruelty inflicted upon them is often deliberate, slaughter methods are designed to intensify and prolong the suffering in a misguided belief that "torture equals taste". Dogs and cats suffer a lingering, violent death as they are bludgeoned over the head, stabbed in the neck or groin, hung, electrocuted or thrown conscious into drums of boiling water.  Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Animals Asia and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for Animals Asia.  So please dig deep and donate now.

Maren's page

Maren's page

Story

Donation summary