Page 12 - Animals Asia Review 2015

Sponsor a bear

A very big thank you to all our wonderful bear sponsors

Your kindness is helping to bring joy into the lives of animals so badly in need of love and care. A few of our sponsors from
around the world have shared their stories of what it means to them to sponsor a bear.

Stephanie Blake from Queensland, Australia became a
In 2013, Karin Baier of munich, germany, picked up an Animals
supporter of Animals Asia way back in 2000. It was shortly
Asia calendar while waiting to see her doctor. She went online
after her son’s death and Stephanie was depressed. She saw a to learn more and discovered Sponsor a Bear. Karin decided at
documentary about the bears and right away she wanted to help.
once to sponsor a bear with the most urgent need – and so she
Stephanie holds annual trash and treasure sales in her hometown chose beautiful, blind Wilfred, who lives at our China sanctuary.
of Gladstone and has raised an amazing amount for the bears.

Late last year, she decided to sponsor Murphy. As well as Karin has also become a valuable volunteer, supporting us with
translations and helping out at Animals Asia events. She loves
wanting a personal connection to little Murphy, she believed her latest photo of her bear, which shows how he is progressing.
the people at her sales would connect with the plight of the
bears through Murphy too. “Now i tell anyone who’ll listen

about Sponsor a Bear and of course murphy – and i proudly
display my Sponsor a Bear pack for all to see.”
‘
I can’t wait for Wilfred’s

next update from
’
Chengdu.
Sharon Laband of West Sussex, UK started sponsoring

Smudge on behalf of her grandson Felix in 2014, when both Karin Baier
he and Smudge were just one year old. Sharon feels the
sponsorship will be a meaningful link between the bears and
her grandson as he grows up. “i hope to take felix to visit

Smudge at the sanctuary when they both turn 18.”
It was over 10 years ago that italian suppporter giovanni
Sambrotta heard about our work at a fundraising dinner.

Giovanni was shocked by a video on the bear bile industry,
and felt compelled to help. He has been a loyal supporter ever
since, and in 2011 he decided to sponsor a bear....

‘I wanted to give

periodically because I

understand how much help

is needed to take care of

these bears. As with all the

rescued bears, Orly had a

horriic past and she is missing her right
eye. I really enjoy receiving her pictures

every year and knowing she is doing ine.

I know this is challenging work and I’m

’ happy to contribute against the cruelty.
Felix's grandmother sponsors cub Smudge to create a lifelong

giovanni Sambrotta
link between Felix and the bears.

Singaporean supporter Leong Yoke Chue wanted to make a Tatana Sigutova in the Czech Republic, sponsors no less than
special commitment to the bears after supporting us for many four bears – Kevin and Quantock in China and Ti Map and Bubu

years, so now she’s the proud sponsor of two beautiful moon in Vietnam – and she adores them all! Not only that – Tatana is
bears – Vicki and Stardust in China.
working hard to raise awareness of animal welfare issues from
within her country.

Yoke Chue says: “i guess the only help i can render is
inancial.” But of course, long-term inancial support is exactly
what the bears need most – and Yoke Chue is committed to
Please note that orly and Wilfred are no longer available
sponsoring them for the rest of their lives.
to sponsor, but 14 other beautiful bears are! You can meet
And more than that – her sister was so moved by Stardust and them on our website. Sponsor a Bear is a virtual programme
Vicki’s stories that she became a supporter herself.
with donations going where they’re needed most.

12 Animals Asia Review 2015