Animal-Rights Activist Doris Day Dies at 97

Actress, singer, and animal-rights activist Doris Day died at the age of 97 after succumbing to complications of pneumonia. The actress appeared in dozens of classic Hollywood films, starred in her own comedy series The Doris Day Show, and recorded hundreds of songs, including “Que Sera Sera.” Throughout her illustrious career, Day fought for animal-rights and is famously quoted saying, “I’ve never met an animal I didn’t like, and I can’t say the same thing about people.” In 1971, Day founded the non-profit organization Actors and Others for Animals with the mission to implement animal welfare standards within the film industry. In 1978, the activist founded the Doris Day Pet Foundation (now called the “Doris Day Animal Foundation”) to help control the homeless companion animal population through initiatives such as World Spay Day—which helped spay and neuter 1.5 million animals in its first 15 years. Day also supported various initiatives to shut down puppy mills, created the Doris Day Animal League (now a part of the Humane Society of the United States) as a voice for the animals in legislation, and helped airlift the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina to safety in 2005. On her 90th birthday, in lieu of gifts, Day asked fans to donate to Doris Day Animal Foundation, raising more than $90,000 to support her cause. The actress famously wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the statement: “Be kind to animals or I’ll kill you” and was affectionately known as “The Dog Catcher of Beverly Hills” for her rescue and fostering efforts.