Diane Keatonâs legacy of love and advocacy for animals continues to inspire fans and rescue communities around the world. On Tuesday, October 14, the Helen Woodward Animal Center honored the Oscar-winning actress, who died on October 11 at age 79 in California. Keaton was a passionate advocate for animal welfare and served for more than two decades on the organizationâs Board of Directors.
âHelen Woodward Animal Center thanks Keaton for a lifetime of dedication to the cause of animal welfare and for her over twenty years serving on the Center’s Board of Directors,â the organization said in a statement published by People.
Championing Stronger Protections for Animals
The California-based rescue celebrated Keaton for her tireless dedication to improving the lives of animals through advocacy, compassion, and action. Her decades of work helped inspire lasting change, from supporting the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which bans the private ownership of wildcats, to pushing for stronger protections for animals in film, on farms, and in the wild.
A lifelong vegetarian and passionate advocate for adoption, Keaton became the Helen Woodward Animal Centerâs first celebrity spokesperson in 2001. She later joined the Board of Directors in 2005, the same year she received the organizationâs prestigious Humane Award for her extraordinary commitment to animal welfare.
A Legacy of Love & Action
Throughout her career, Keaton used her platform to raise awareness for animal adoption and rescue. She filmed promotional campaigns, appeared at telethons, and even auctioned lunches with herself to raise funds for the organization.
âShe was the real deal,â Helen Woodward Animal Center President and CEO Mike Arms said. âThe many years she committed to improving the lives of animals and encouraging families to adopt their pets have had an overwhelming impact on untold numbers of animals around the world. She was a dear friend to the Center and to animals everywhere. She will be greatly missed.â
The organization recalled how Keaton once stopped to rescue a stray dog on a California freeway, personally bringing the animal to the center. After receiving care and training, the dog was adopted into a loving home.
A Final Tribute to Her Beloved Pets
Even in her final days, Keatonâs love for animals shone through. Her last Instagram post, shared on April 11 in honor of National Pet Day, featured a joyful photo of herself and her golden retriever, Reggie, taken in collaboration with her home brand Hudson Grace.
âProof our pets have great taste too! Happy National Pet Day from HG & @diane_keaton ð¤ð¾,â read the caption.
For animal lovers everywhere, Keatonâs compassion, activism, and heart for the voiceless remain an enduring part of her legacy â one that continues to save lives long after her own has ended.
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