Many celebrities fight for animal rights, whether they’re vegetarian or not. Animal lovers are often convinced to speak out once they educate themselves abandoned pet statistics or about the quality of life of farm animals.
Check out some of the biggest celebrity animal lovers and activists, outspoken stars who do more than just raise awareness for a good cause. Whether they started their own animal charities or simply donate to existing ones, these celebs put their money where their mouths are.
Ellen DeGeneres
Even though she abandoned her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian, Ellen DeGeneres is still one of the biggest celebrity animal lovers.
The talk show host used her influence to support Joy Kingdom, a Facebook game that allows players to donate their in-game earnings to animal charities, and she also owns part of Halo, Purely for Pets, a company that provides holistic products for pets.
Morrissey
One of the most renowned celebrity animal activists, Morrissey has worked with PETA, released an album called “Meat Is Murder” with his band, The Smiths, and even endorsed the controversial Animal Rights Militia. “I see no difference between eating animals and pedophilia. They are both rape, violence, murder,” he told his fans in an online interview. However, Morrissey doesn’t seem to have the same empathy towards humans, claiming that “You can’t help but feel that the Chinese are a subspecies” [because of their inhumane treatment of animals] and facing rumors that he tried to convince his bodyguard to kill one of his fans.
Kristen Bell
After becoming a vegetarian at the age of 11, “Frozen” and “Veronica Mars” star Kristen Bell became one of the biggest celebrity animal lovers and activists. She topped PETA’s list of “World’s Sexiest Vegetarians” in 2020 and worked with organizations like the Michigan Humane Society and San Diego based Helen Woodward Animal Center.
See also: Celebrities Who Wear Real Fur
Ryan Gosling
While it’s easy to have empathy for cute and furry animals, Ryan Gosling wrote a passionate editorial for The Globe and Mail called “A tiny cage is not a life”, decrying the horrible conditions in which farm pigs are kept. He’s also supported Farm Sanctuary and Humane Society International in fighting for the rights of animals to not be confined in small crates for weeks at a time.
Kesha
You probably don’t know that Kesha is also one of the most vocal celebrity animal lovers and activists. She’s advocated against cruelty to wild animals, and she was awarded the 2020 Wyler Award from The Humane Society of the United States for her activism.
Ian Somerhalder
Best known for his TV work in “Lost” and “The Vampire Diaries”, Ian Somerhalder has also advocated for animal rights, supported the St. Tammany Humane Society, and even started his own foundation in support of no-kill animal shelters.
Betty White
Few celebrity animal lovers and activists can claims they’ve spent over 40 years supporting animal organizations and charities. Even though she keeps herself busy at the age of 92 by starring in “Hot in Cleveland” and “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers”, the actress is still fighting for improved conditions for animals in zoos and improving the lives of animals through everything from adoption to medical research.
Alicia Silverstone
An outspoken vegan, Alicia Silverstone worked with PETA on many projects and, wrote a best selling began cookbook “The Kind Life”, and founded an online community with the same name, that educates users on how to advocate for animal rights and how to fight animal cruelty.
More: Reasons to Ditch Real Fur
Pamela Anderson
Honorary director of PETA, Pamela Anderson is definitely one of the biggest celebrity animal lovers and activists. She’s worked with many organizations that fight for animal and human rights, and recently started her own foundation.
Katherine Heigl
Founder of The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation (named after her late brother), Katherine Heigl has initiated many humane programs, including fighting against euthanizing animals (JustOne) and starting the Compassion Revolution, an alliance that addresses the pet overpopulation crisis.
