Katie Cleary advocates for animals through her nonprofit Peace 4 Animals and raises money for organizations fighting to protect wildlife. But over the next few weeks she’s raising something else–awareness for plant-based diets. In a bold new campaign Los Angeles drivers will see billboards that feature a baby lamb, turkey and pig that reads, “Choose Compassion This Holiday Season #GoPlantBased.
Katie Cleary jumped to fame as a contestant on the first season of “America’s Next Top Model,” and now the actress and model is using her status to make a positive impact. LA drivers in Carson, along the I-110 Freeway, near SouthBay Pavilion and anyone heading heading southbound to Long Beach/San Pedro will see the billboards. The philanthropist explained why this cause is so important.
“It’s about making the connection to what’s on people’s plates,” Katie Cleary told The Voluntourist. “It’s about where the animals come from, and the fact that they are living, breathing, feeling beings who deserve to live out their lives with dignity and respect.”
She added, “Millions of animals are killed during the holidays for consumption when we should really be celebrating life and adopting a more compassionate lifestyle,” states Cleary. “The holiday season is an ideal time to encourage people to incorporate a plant-based diet and is a gratifying step towards a more compassionate, peaceful world, which we need now more than ever!”
In 2012 Katie Cleary launched Peace 4 Animals, which has a big mission. Spreading awareness and encouraging a plant-based diet is among the many critical issues Peace 4 Animals advocates for, along with rescuing farm animals from slaughter.
According to its website, the organization aims, “to create a world that lives in harmony with all animals and that works to protect them against harmful human interference. Peace 4 Animals helps to rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for domestic animals. They educate children and the public on how to co-exist with wild animals and how to protect these animals in their natural habitat. They also strive to increase awareness in order to respect all life and put an end to the abuse and neglect of all of our earth’s species.”
In addition to everything mentioned above, Katie Cleary is an award-winning producer and the creator of World Animal News, delivering breaking news to readers worldwide. She is also the executive producer of the 2012 documentary, “Give Me Shelter,” which premiered on Netflix, and she’s currently working on her second documentary, “We Are One,” which highlights people around the world fighting to protect animals from extinction.