In Memoriam
Doris Day
1922-2019
We lost an extraordinary soul, a loyal friend and one of the greatest champions of animals in history, Doris Day. As one of Doris Day Animal League’s most active supporters, you probably know that Doris was a star performer in four mediums—big band, radio, film, and television—and received many major honors for her work.
But helping animals was her first—and primary—passion.
As a young actress, Doris’ commitment to creatures great and small was well known—despite risking upsetting the “status quo” in Hollywood. Because of her commitment and unwavering conviction, she became affectionately known as “The Dog Catcher of Beverly Hills” and found proper care and good homes for strays.
In 1975, Doris announced that she was retiring from acting to devote her energies to animal welfare. As a founding member of Actors and Others for Animals, Doris along with other stars used her celebrity to raise awareness about the unfair treatment of animals. She rescued and fostered animals at her house, which led her to found the non-profit rescue organization, the Doris Day Pet Foundation, in 1978.
When Doris realized her grassroots efforts weren’t enough, and that we needed to reduce the pain and suffering of animals on a larger, national scale, she founded the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL). Over the years—led by her passion, tenacity, and ingenuity—DDAL has grown to be a leading force for fighting for the rights and protection of animals.
Doris not only envisioned—but worked tirelessly to create—a gentler and more humane world for animals.
But for those of us here who mourn her passing, the task of continuing her mission to protect all animals remains. It is an enormous undertaking but one we can achieve together.
Join us in remembering all that Doris accomplished during her lifetime to protect vulnerable animals, which—as always—provides a great source of inspiration for all of us at DDAL to soldier on and tackle the tough battles ahead.
The fact is, there is still so much to be done and it was Doris’ wish that we continue to do the vital work she began.
- Eradicating puppy mills by enforcing existing laws and enacting legislation that will help dogs confined under brutally inhumane conditions.
- Protecting endangered animals who are hunted for sport by pushing for stricter laws, including making the import of their skins, tusks, and other “trophies” illegal.
- Ending the export of horses to foreign countries for human consumption by enacting stronger laws against their transport and sale.
- Ending new animal testing for cosmetics worldwide.
Doris Day’s courage, perseverance, and loving heart helped make animal protection in the United States stronger. And we will never forget her for it.
But she didn’t—and couldn’t—do it alone. You provided the resources and encouragement that enabled her to succeed and save the lives of millions of dogs, cats, horses, and other innocent creatures.
Thank you for being with us every step of the way,
–Sara
Sara Amundson
Executive Director
Doris Day Animal League
The Doris Day Animal League is a national nonprofit citizen’s lobbying organization dedicated to protecting animals through policy initiatives, education, and corporate engagement. DDAL was founded in 1987 by legendary actress and devoted animal advocate Doris Day – one of the world’s most-loved and most-honored women.
Miss Day formed the Animal League to help influence U.S. Congress, government agencies, and state and local officials to pass new laws and enforce existing laws that reduce the suffering of animals anywhere they are mistreated.
Through dedication and tireless efforts, DDAL has won many victories over the years. Even when faced with well-funded industry opposition, we continued to fight to protect innocent animals from the agony forced on them through neglect, ignorance, and greed. Here are just a few of our victories:
- After long and protracted legal battles in the early 1990s we were able to help California lawmakers realize that common industry chemical tests on animals were inhumane, inconclusive and unnecessary. We were able to end these practices of animal torture and protect untold animals from these practices.
- In 2014 through our efforts and the support of caring people like you, we were able to persuade the Bureau of Land Management to adopt new policies to increase the transparency of their wild horse management program as well as other changes to help ensure the humane treatment of our nation’s wild horses and burros.
- In September of 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that breeders selling puppies and kittens directly to the public through the Internet, mail or phone would be subject to the same licensing and inspection regulations as those selling to brokers or pet stores. We had been increasing awareness and pressuring our legislators on this issue for a long time, and we cheered when it was finally made official.
Through these efforts and many more, DDAL is continually improving the lives of animals and helping end to the despicable and inhumane treatment of animals that still exists across America today.
Contact
For more information, contact us at (202) 452-1100 or via email at info@ddal.org.
Financial Information
To keep members apprised of our financial situation, Doris Day Animal League makes available for download in PDF format its three most recent IRS Form 990s.
Publications
Best Friends for Life
An indispensable 40-page guide to understanding your right to pets in rental housing, both public and private.