We started working with Animals Asia back in 2018 when we found out about all their hard work to end the exploitation of animals and improve animal welfare.
We started a mission to try to raise as much money and awareness of Animals Asia by promoting safe and authentic herbal medicine. We have been receiving donations from customers, donating a percentage of each order, hosting raffles/competitions, and donating the proceeds. In the last 6 months, we have raised over £855 for Animals Asia, bringing our total donation to over £2000 in just 18 months!
2020 is going to be a busy year in terms of fundraising! We have lots planned for the coming months, including Animals Asia x Phoenix Medical clinic packs, more chances to win fantastic hampers and the Phoenix Medical Big Bear Stretch. We believe with the support of our customers, we will be able to beat last year’s total and continue to raise awareness for Animals Asia by promoting Chinese medicine in a safe and authentic way.
Promoting Safe, Authentic Herbal Medicine
Bear bile has been used in TCM for centuries, sadly killing and injuring thousands of defenceless bears in China and Vietnam. Over 20,000 bears are held in captivity on farms in Asia to have bile extracted from their gall bladders on a regular basis, for profit.
Most farmed bears are kept in tiny cages, sometimes so small that the bears are unable to turn around or stand on all fours. Some bears are put into cages as cubs and never leave them, existing for up to 30 years under these conditions.
Bear bile is collected by means of various, invasive extraction methods, all of which cause massive infections in the bears. Most farmed bears are starved, dehydrated and suffering from multiple diseases and malignant tumours that contaminate their bile and ultimately kill them. Very few receive appropriate medication or any type of veterinary care.
We believe there is no need to use bear bile when there are herbal alternatives. Huang Lian can be just as effective. The herb removes damp, purges fire and helps to detoxify the body, and the best bit of all – doesn’t harm any bears!
If Chinese medicine practitioners used Huang Lian instead of bear bile, there would be no need for bear bile farms meaning thousands would be forced to shut down and the bears kept in captivity would not have to endure years of torture. We are on a mission to educate practitioners on the safe, authentic herbal substitutes.
Your 2019 Moon Bear Rescues
We would like to say thank you for all your support and generosity over the last 18 months. Our donations are vital to ensuring captivated animals are rescued and saved from a life of torture. In 2019 alone, Animals Asia saved countless bears who are now living new and happy lives in the safety of the sanctuaries. Here are a few of the bears you have helped to save…
Sugar & Spice – sisters Sugar and Spice were rescued from the hell of circus life where they were forced to perform tricks and ride motorcycles. When Animals Asia found the cubs, they were just a year old, severely underweight and extremely frightened. Since being rescued, both Sugar and Spice are enjoying their new life in a happy and safe environment – enjoying lots of strawberry jam!
Sweet Pea, Lily, Scooby & Phuong – these 4 bears were rescued from a bear bile farm in Vietnam. It is believed they had been kept in cages and tortured for over 10 years and when the Animals Asia team got there, they found the bears in terrible and dirty conditions. The rescue mission took 4 days, as the team had to travel over 1400km to save the underweight and frightened bears. Now all four bears are back at the Vietnam sanctuary enjoying copious amounts of sweet fruit, playtime and cool baths – thanks to your support!
Phoenix – Our namesake spent 11 lonely years in a cage, the last of it spent on a loud, dusty construction site – not a blade of grass in sight. When the team arrived, the won her around with delicious dried banana, a rare treat for a bear who survived on scraps for a decade. The vets found her gall bladder was destroyed after years of repeatedly being stabbed with needles. She needed urgent, complex surgery to remove it but thanks to the support of our customers, she was able to receive it.
The funds we raise with the help of you, our customers, is invaluable for saving these frightened and vulnerable bears. We will continue to work with Animals Asia to try to save as many animals in captivity as possible and we are extremely grateful for your continued support.
If you would like to know about our work with Animals Asia or would like to get involved in fundraising, please contact marketing@phoenixmd.co.uk
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