One of the real delights of raising money in support of Moon Bears is watching how and where the message spreads. While raising money for Jigsaw is our primary focus, I am constantly surprised by who “picks up the ball” .

Jigsaw is now being supported by children at two schools: right from the beginning by my young friend Lily’s Sophia Mundi Steiner School here in Abbotsford Melbourne, and now by Year 3 at Angaston Primary School in SA.

Lily produced a beautiful school project -really a little book – about Jigsaw’s story and the horror of bear farming, from the bear’s point of view. It is a simply told tale but its message can be clearly understood and appreciated by young readers. For this reason I have made copies of it to give to schools.

Year 3 at Angaston Primary had been studying endangered species and coincidentally were looking for a class fund-raising project. As luck would have it, a daughter of a good friend is in Year 3, so I sent her a copy of Lily’s book which she shared with her classmates and they instantly embraced Jigsaw!  The kids held a “wear your pj’s to school day” for a gold coin donation and raised $258.86. Their class teacher remarked on the colourful parade to be seen at recess time! I was impressed at how  it was both a fun and age-appropriate way to raise money.

However, the class had set a goal of donating two pieces of the puzzle. Enthused by their efforts so far, they organized their own stall at a school market day, reaching the grand combined total of $324.95. Their teacher has told me how thrilled the class is with their achievement and so they should be! I am so proud of their efforts!

And the great news for Jigsaw is that they are  thinking of holding another FUN-raiser next term so they can purchase a third piece of the puzzle!!

Just as important as all the money being raised is the sense of accomplishment each child will feel through being part of this project. It will be an experience they never forget, knowing they have contributed toward rescuing an animal from a terrible life of suffering and pain. Jigsaw will become an important part of their lives as they follow his (or her) progress for many a year to come..

THANK YOU so much to everyone in Year 3 and to your teacher Ms Watkins. Thank you Isabel for taking Jigsaw’s message to your class. And Lily, thank you for your wonderful book that continues to inspire adults and children alike.

PS: If you work at a school (or are a student) and would like a copy of Lily’s book to help you hold a fuN-raiser for Jigsaw, then please email me through this website.

As we close in on the end of the (Australian) Financial Year, there is still some time to consider a little pledge to Jigsaw! Remember that your gifts are tax-deductible and how much nicer to know that your hard-earned money is helping our bear Jigsaw to not only enjoy a better life, but really to HAVE a life at all, with your support … We are almost halfway there! 43 pieces and over $6700 donated so far, with a couple more pieces pledged, so please!! keep the $$  coming and tell your friends!!!

During July, Jill Robinson MBE, Founder and CEO of Animals Asia Foundation is visiting Australia  to share with us the amazing progress that has been made in the fight against bear bile farming in China and Vietnam. Jill has devoted her life to rescuing Moon Bears and is a compelling and inspiring speaker.

Jill will be sharing all the latest news first-hand on animal welfare in China, including positive developments in government relations, the explosion of media coverage on sensitive issues, support from the traditional medicine community to “heal without harm”, and the growing awareness amongst the Chinese people for animal rights. She will also recount the two latest bear rescues in China and Vietnam which bring the total number of bears rescued by Animals Asia to 328.

I will be going to the Melbourne event, accompanied by my young friend, Lily Smith, who inspired me to create Jigsaw’s website! We would love you to join us or attend Jill’s visit in your state.

Please click the link below for more details re dates and locations and to book your tickets to the event in your State.

Speaking of events, I am planning a few myself so stay tuned to the blog and our mailing list for coming attractions in your area! if you would like to be on our mailing list, please click the link at top right of this page!

The New Year has romped away with more donations, including a fabulous fundraiser by Sodashi Organic skincare company that contributed over $1300 to our coffers. We have now raised over $6000 in just a few months and 39 pieces of “our Jigsaw” have now been turned over.

Many people have not been able to afford a whole piece of the jigsaw puzzle, instead they donate what they can, and that’s ok! Every little bit helps and when I have received enough smaller donations I “purchase a piece”.

Some exciting news! Since my last update 19 bears have been rescued in Vietnam. Sadly one had to be euthenased but the others are showing signs of regaining their “bear” spirit and enjoying their new life, full of (healthy) treats. One of these bears could be our Jigsaw!

In another milestone for animal welfare in China, AAF co-sponsored an international symposium for Tradtional Chinese Medicine practitioners in December 2009 and successfully presented the case for using synthetic bile versus bear bile from afflicted farmed animals. They received a very positive response from their audience. This has to be some of the best news for bears, for without a market for the products, the bear farms will become obsolete.

The AAF Rescue convoy sets out on its 2,000km journey with its precious cargo of bears

2009 finished on a wonderful note, with some generous donations that took our total over $4000! Thank you to all of you who included  a donation to Jigsaw as part of your Christmas giving, a gesture that not only moved us closer to our target, but  also helped spread the word of this project a little further. So far 27 pieces of our Jigsaw have been turned over  - we are almost a third of the way already!

I am so grateful to those of you who have taken this project to heart and mentioned it to your networks and in newsletters. Others have found fun ways to raise money for Jigsaw (one Christmas raffle organised by a supporter will advance our total again quite significantly when the donation is finalized), but more on that soon!

For those of you who are following this blog, you will be pleased to hear that the Moon Bear recently rescued in Vietnam (from a life of darkness and misery in his cage beside a family’s kitchen) is settling in well to his new life at the Animals Asia Vietnam Sanctuary.

And some great news for Moon Bears in China: On 22nd December the Animals Asia team were joined by the government leaders of 18 provinces – who pledged to be bear-farm free. This accounts for over half of the country and was a groundbreaking step forward in Animals Asia’s campaign to end bear farming in China. This is a truly significant and historical step for animal welfare rights in China, and the tireless team at Animals Asia is to be applauded for their commitment to this cause.  To keep informed please visit Jill’s Blog: http://www.animalsasia.org/blog/index.php

Well, in just one month we have raised almost $3000 which is a fabulous result!! A BIG THANK YOU to all the early bear carers! Their support represents 20% of the total money needed and whilst it’s a very impressive start we still have a long way to go to rescue Jigsaw.

Please help us spread the word by emailing friends and colleagues in your networks whom you feel may be interested to learn about and support this project.

As we prepare for our Christmas festivities, holidays and some relaxing “time out”, perhaps spare an extra thought for our big furry friends who have nothing to look forward to but more of the same…pain and suffering.

Their Christmas wish would be simple…. FREEDOM!

Maybe this Christmas a portion of your present budget could be put “under the tree” for our bear Jigsaw…and tell his story to your family.  And while you’re at it, break open the piggy bank that’s been gathering dust and add its contents too. Every little bit will help!!

Thank you for your care and support.  Again, we hope you might consider forwarding this website to interested others.

ps For some great ideas about celebrating Christmas with a difference this year, just visit our link to The Tithing Tree.

Thank you to all the “early birders” who have helped us get off to such a fabulous start. The website is not even 1 week old and we have raised almost $2000!

I received a surprise email on Thursday from Leanne, the veterinarian at the AAF Moon Bear Rescue Centre in Tam Dao, Vietnam.  Here is part of what she wrote: “…..I think this is such a great idea – I’ve always wanted to sponsor a bear too…….. so, even though I’m privileged enough to work with these amazing animals every day, I am also going to add my own piece to your puzzle.”  It’s fabulous to have her participation as it is quite likely “our Jigsaw” may live in the Vietnam sanctuary where they are currently negotiating for a bear farm to be shut down…

Leanne also shared the following about a single bear that has been released into the care of the AAF team:  ”We’ve just arrived back in Tam Dao with the latest addition to our group, a 14 year old male with terrible teeth, who’s lived his whole life in a dark room next to the kitchen in the back of a house. I know his story and photos will go up on the [AAF] website over the next few days.  I’ve just looked at him this morning – he’s on his back, feet in the air, looking out over the mountains.  His little eyes are blinking, and in his paws are a few stray strands of straw which he is waving about, sniffing every now and then.  I can’t even begin to think what is going through his little bear brain right now.”

This is why we are raising funds to rescue these bears: to give them back their spirit to live…

Please, invite your friends to join us in gaining the freedom for Jigsaw

We are off to a flying start due to the fantastic efforts of Lily Smith and her school friend Thea Martin.  They raised not $50, not $100, not $200, not $250, not $350 but $400 at the Sophia Mundi Steiner School fair on Sunday November 8 !!! How amazing is that!! All through sale of rum balls, little fridge magnets we created and a count-the-jelly-bean competition along with some lovely donations.