DeGeneres’ PETCO Award

Companion-animal chain PETCO has awarded Ellen DeGeneres the HOPE award, given to those committed to promoting the human-animal bond. DeGeneres, a vegan and longtime animal-rights activist, is a co-owner of Halo Pet Food, an all-natural companion-animal food line, and recently raised more than $40,000 for The Gentle Barn Foundation by auctioning off a lock of Justin Bieber’s hair. “I wish we lived in a world where caring for animals wasn’t so rare that it deserved an award. All I do is treat animals with the respect and dignity they deserve,” DeGeneres says. “I hope someday soon, everyone does the same.”