Philippa Whittingham

If you’re like me, when you first learned about bear bile farming it broke your heart and you desperately wanted to help.

Being a Bear Guardian is a wonderful way to make a real difference. You receive pictures and regular updates about what your bear has been up to, any ailments they may have, and the friends they have made. This fosters a close bond between you and your bear and you know that you are playing an important part in their life. They are like your child, and you are very much a part of the Animals Asia family. It’s also great fun finding a name to match the description of your bear!

And of course, you are invited to visit your bear at the sanctuary, which for me was a life-changing experience. The place is permeated with an extraordinary feeling of love, peace and compassion and the joy that you feel seeing those bears so happy after years of hell is hard to describe. It is a very healing, spiritual place.

For me, becoming a Bear Guardian is one of the best things I have ever done.