Vegetarian Star

Let’s get a few things straight.

Judging from the hot dog named after her and from her own mouth, Betty White‘s no vegetarian.

She isn’t exactly down with animal rights either.

But she does have an interest in what she calls animal “health” and “welfare” and those interests have led her to support the Morris Animal Foundation for 45 years.

Betty told Starpulse, “Oh I think helping the animals is – that’s the lovely upside of any celebrity that happens. I’m not an animal activist. I’m not into anything political, demonstrations, or anything like that. I’m just into animal health and welfare. And have been with the Morris Animal Foundation, a health organization for 45 years, and with the Los Angeles Zoo for 45 years. Over the years of enjoying show business we’ve been able to help the animals.”

The foundation conducts research to improve the health of animals.

Research and testing always make an activist cringe, but here’s one non invasive and non pharmaceutical study that may help thousands of dogs get readopted.

The Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is used to assess the behavior and temperment of relinquished dogs, but it is also very lengthy and as a result, shelters often don’t use it.

Behavioral scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a shortened version that will allow shelter workers to determine an animal’s ability to successfully live in a home.

Results showed the shortened test is reliable, which could mean more returned dogs may find homes again.

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Simon Cowell has recorded a video for the World Society for the Protection of Animals for their “Animals Matter To Me” campaign.

The WSPA is calling on all governments to agree to what is known as the Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare, which would recognize animals suffer and feel pain.

“I think animals deserve more protection,” Simon says in the video. “I don’t understand how anybody can get pleasure from hunting or killing animals.”

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The Barbi Twins have spoken out against the annual seal hunt in Canada.

The pin up sisters Shane and Sia have decided to boycott some parts of Canada over the issue.

Sia believes most Canadians are ashamed of the hunt and the sisters have expanded their activism by posting a Facebook page called Save a Seal, Join Club Barbie.

This year’s quota for the hunt is 388,200 — an increase of 50,000 from last year, according to the Edmonton Sun.

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Last week, Bob Barker cut the red ribbon at the ceremony to celebrate PETA establishing their Los Angeles location.

Barker donated $2.5 million to help get the building started, and PETA is looking for a few more (million) dollars to create the best environment for their California headquarters.

“I think PETA is the most effective and most productive of all animal rights or animal welfare groups in the world. And no job is too small or too big.”

Sounds like Barker helped make an enormous task more manageable.

Best of luck to PETA in their new home!

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Michael Vick was recently awarded the Ed Block courage award for his “sportsmanship” and “courage,” but not everyone who attended the event was supportive.

Several people gathered outside the facility, holding signs that read “No awards for dog killers” and “Cowards abuse animals.”

Each year several players receive the award if they are chosen to be “role models” that “exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.”

One protester, according to the Baltimore Sun, said, “I find it appalling to give this to someone that has gotten enjoyment from hurting dogs,” she said. “What is he courageous about?”

A spokesman for the foundation awarding Vick, Paul Mittermeier said, “People have the right to voice their opinion.”

Vick has served time in jail for his involvement with dog fighting and has partnered with the Humane Society to discourage dog fighting in communities, especially among youth.

Is it time for activists to let go and focus on other campaigns?

Or is their constant presence in the midst of Vick’s comeback needed as a painful reminder that society should choose better role models.

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Claire Danes is starring in the HBO movie Temple Grandin, the story of a woman with autism who went on to become a professor in science and develop a more humane system of transporting cattle to slaughter.

Danes got the chance to work with cattle in the film, an experience she found rewarding.

“The scariest scene was lying prostrate on the ground with all of them circling me,” Danes said, but added the cows were “very passive.”

“It was fascinating to learn about them and learn about the cattle industry at large.”

Although Danes isn’t vegetarian, she praises methods that put less stress on an animal that will eventually be slaughtered.

“It’s not a paradox to eat meat. You just have to treat the animals in a humane way and with respect while they’re alive.”

Grandin has won an award from animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and was quoted as saying, “I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but we’ve got to do it right. We’ve got to give those animals a decent life and we’ve got to give them a painless death. We owe the animal respect.”

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