Celebrities line up to fight animal cruelty

Jun 7, 2007

Ricky Gervais has joined stars of UK screen and stage has signed up to help a global animal welfare petition reach half a million supporters, just one year after it was launched.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is working to end animal cruelty by calling for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare to be adopted by the United Nations.

In the UK the initiative is gaining support from many other celebrities including Julian Clary, Graham Norton, Miranda Richardson and Jenny Seagrove (pictured). A full list of those involved in the campaign can be found at www.animalsmatter.org 

The Animals Matter to Me petition calls for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. It aims to show governments that people from around the world care about the welfare of sentient animals.

Already the governments of Kenya, India, Philippines, Costa Rica and the Czech Republic are supporting the progress of the Declaration and promoting it in their regions.

Peter Davies, Director General of WSPA said:
“I welcome this terrific level of support from Britain’s stars to give this campaign increased momentum. Improving animal welfare is a critical issue of international importance. Currently there is no international protection for animals so we are aiming to build a world free from cruelty and suffering for a more compassionate future.”

Over a billion people directly rely on animals around the world for their livelihoods. For a global problem you need a global solution. A Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare would have a real, long-term impact on the welfare of billions of animals worldwide.”