Bob Barker, long-time game show host of “The Price Is Right” has passed away at the age of 99 but his contributions and inextricable role in animal welfare within the U.S. and around the world will never be forgotten.
Bob Barker was most famous for raising critical awareness of spaying and neutering dogs and cats. In the U.S. a cat or dog is euthanized every 6.5 seconds because there isn’t enough homes for them. Mr. Barker understood this was an issue that needed massive support and funded $25 million into the DJ&T Foundation that financed clinics that specialized in the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats.
Mr. Barker was also widely known for exposing the cruelty to animals used in the entertainment industry. It was my visit to the Performing Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) when I learned of Mr. Barker’s amazing support for animals rescued from the cruelty of the entertainment industry. In 2008, he made a generous donation to PAWS to build a barn for a 13-year-old bull elephant name Nicholas and his 40-year-old female companion named Gypsy who were at the time recently rescued. Because Nicholas was growing into becoming a big bull elephant, he needed proper housing which would not have been possible without the support of Mr. Barker.
I also touched to learn that Bob Barker donated $5 million dollars to Sea Shepherd, one of the world’s most direct active marine conservation to purchase a ship for the conservation’s anti-whaling campaigns.
Mr. Barker’s vital role in animal welfare was a gift to countless animals throughout his lifetime. May his integral role in activism pave the way for us to do the same.
*Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Resource:
Cameron, Chris. 2023, August, 26th. “Through Philanthropy and Activism, Bob Barker Fought Animal Cruelty.” www.nytimes.com. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/us/bob-barker-animal-rights.html
