Dogs are such beloved pets everywhere in the world that it’s impossible to believe they’re still being used for food.
Sadly, that is the reality. While most of the world considers eating dog meat to be immoral or taboo, there are a few cultures where it is still legal. Even worse, many of the dogs are stolen or strays, and are kept in terrible conditions.
The COVID-19 pandemic, believed to trace back to a Chinese wet market, has brought the issue back to the spotlight: some cities have finally banned eating pet animals, and celebrities like Paul McCartney have intensified calls for the whole trade to be shut down.
But there’s another celebrity who has been using his wealth and influence to shut down these markets: Simon Cowell.
While Cowell gained fame as the “mean” judge on shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent, he clearly has a heart of gold in real life.
In 2018, he donated £25,000—about $32,640 in US dollars—to Humane Society International, in an effort to shut down a dog meat farm in South Korea.
His donation went towards not only freeing these dogs and funding their care, but allowing dog meat farmers to transition to a more humane field.
According to People, his donation helped save the lives of over 200 dogs.
“Simon’s generous donation means the world to us, and provides a huge boost to our appeal to close this horrendous dog meat farm,” HSI UK Executive Director Claire Bass said in a statement.
“More than 200 dogs are languishing in the most appalling conditions, but we have a real chance to save them.”
Cowell, who owns several dogs, is a generous supporter of many animal causes. In 2014, he donated £25,000 to Manchester Dogs’ Home after it was struck by a massive fire, and has also supported Cruelty Free International, a group aiming to stop dogs from being used in laboratory experiments.
“I have always loved dogs but had no idea how much happiness they would bring to my life,” Cowell wrote on 2015. “No dog should be treated in such a way. After all, they are man’s (and woman’s) best friend.”
Thank you to Simon Cowell for generously helping to end the dog meat trade, and helping so many animal causes. Share this great news!
