“Your backing continues to help us work towards ending animal cruelty.”

That’s the message from Animals Asia's founder and CEO Jill Robinson today as it was announced that our “Next Chapter” fundraising appeal has hit its US$300,000 target.

And with that figure set to double thanks to donors who pledged to match fund the total, it means US$600,000 will go towards continuing our work to end bear bile farming, promoting captive animal welfare and helping dog and cats.

The appeal was launched in August to raise funds to help improve better animal welfare across Asia. As we looked back over our 17 years of fighting cruelty we asked supporters to be a part of the next chapter.

The appeal took its inspiration from the organisation’s CEO Jill Robinson, who founded Animals Asia in August 1998. As well as looking back over pivotal chapters in the development of Animals Asia, she made a plea to supporters to shape ‘the next chapter’ by donating to the appeal. You can read Jill's accounts of those important historical chapters here:

Chapter 1 – the one where Jill started it all

Chapter 2 - the one where Jill convinced the Chinese authorities to set up a sanctuary

Chapter 3 – the one where a new Vietnam sanctuary is opened

Chapter 4 – the one where the first bear arrived

Talking about the appeal, Jill Robinson said:

‘”Everything we do is made possible by the kindness of people who support us. And what a difference we make together. More than 500 bears rescued so far from China and Vietnam.

“Our grassroots approach to helping dogs and cats goes from strength to strength, from raising awareness and empowering local communities to directly influencing government policy.

“Meanwhile, by working directly with those who keep captive animals in China and Vietnam we're making a difference to the lives of animals in intolerable conditions – and encouraging better conditions for those who will be kept captive in the future. We don't believe in keeping animals captive at all – but we do know that they desperately need our help.

“I feel we are on the cusp of a big changes in animal welfare. There are younger generations in China and Vietnam who are taking our messages to heart and joining us. Our numbers are growing, East and West. Unacceptable cruelty flourishes in the dark and together we can continue to turn the spotlight on it.”

Since it was launched on 6 August, thousands of people all across the world have shown their support for our vision.

Jill added:

“’Until the cruelty ends’ remains the slogan and the rationale for everything we do. That means changing the life of a single bear. It means taking them out of a cage. It means ending bear bile farming. It means changing the minds of people you meet and then asking them to spread the message.

“Make no mistake – we have momentum, goodwill and genuine resolve behind us, and we will keep going, day after day, to achieve our goals.”

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