We recently posted our top tips on adopting a pet from an animal shelter, which got us thinking about animal-loving celebs. Here are the top ten as chosen by the Charity Choice team.
1. Brian May
The Queen guitarist made headlines recently when he released ‘The Badger Song’ in protest against the proposed badger cull. Nice work, Brian, but you really should have called it ‘We Will Block You’.
He's also set up the charity "Save Me Trust" which fights animal cruelty.
2. Morrissey
The former frontman of The Smiths is an outspoken defender of animal rights. Indeed, his group’s second album was titled Meat is Murder and he’s worked alongside the charity PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
3. Virginia McKenna
Best known for her role in 60s lion flick Born Free, the movie inspired Virginia to give up her acting career and dedicate her life to wildlife conservation. She is now founder and trustee of the Born Free Foundation.
4. The Queen
The world’s most famous corgi-owner is patron of over 30 animal charities, including the Labrador Retriever Club, Red Poll Cattle Society, and Royal Pigeon Racing Association. She is also patron of the RSPCA, a tradition carried on from their first royal supporter, Queen Victoria.
5. Bill Bailey
A supporter of International Animal Rescue and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the comedian is also patron of the Sumatran Orangutan Society and recently headed a campaign asking people to support them by growing a beard: "We share 96.4% of our DNA with orangutans - some of us, perhaps, a little more... I've been told I look like a man of the forest."
6. Stephen Fry
A Quite Interesting fact about Mr Fry is that his offer to kiss the highest bidder of an auction for charity Elephant Family caused the entire website to crash. More recently he narrated an animation called The Lonely Dodo for Durrell Wildlife Park, to help raise awareness about endangered animals.
7. June Brown
Best known for playing Dot Cotton in Eastenders, June Brown is also president of Freshfields Donkey Village, a sanctuary for mistreated donkeys.
8. Ricky Gervais
The dog-loving comedian has announced his support for the World Society for the Protection of Animals’ ‘Collars Not Cruelty’ campaign to protect dogs from both illness and neglect.
9. Adele
While Adele may have had her heartbroken by men, there’s one creature that’s never let her down – her dachshund, Louie. Dog-related ditties ‘Someone Like Pooch’ and ‘Rollin in the Mud’ are rumoured for release next year.
10. Sue Perkins
Recently starring as a vet in sitcom Heading Out, Sue is a proud supporter of The Mayhew Animal Home in London and owner of two pet beagles Pickle and Parker.
Did your favourite celeb make the list? Let us know who your own favourite famous animal lover is in the comments!
