Leona Lewis Says Animals Matter To Her in A New Charity Film for the World Society For the Protection of Animals

Leona Lewis Says Animals Matter To Her in A New Charity Film for the World Society For the Protection of Animals

Leona Lewis Says Animals Matter To Her in A New Charity Film for the World Society For the Protection of Animals (WSPA)


Top international singer Leona Lewis is backing the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), the world’s largest alliance of animal welfare organizations, in a new campaign video launched today.

Leona pledged her support for the charity's Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare campaign at a video and photo shoot at the Sony Music Entertainment offices in Kensington, England. She was joined by her family dog Misty for the photo shoot.

Speaking about her support for WSPA Leona said: "I wanted to get involved with the World Society for the Protection of Animals because I think they are doing great campaigns. I've always been a huge advocate for any charities that are trying to help animals, because they are trying to change laws to protect animals - which I think is amazing.”

"I support the World Society for the Protection of Animals - WSPA - because they are trying to end some of the most appalling acts of animal cruelty in the world."

"One reason animals are so vulnerable to cruelty is because there is no universal agreement between nations that animals can suffer and feel pain... The campaign for a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare could be the beginning of the end for animal cruelty across the world."

"It's up to us to give these animals a voice, and put a stop to cruelty and neglect, right now."

Leona calls on her supporters to join her in backing the Animals Matter campaign. Go to wspa-usa.org/leonalewis to join in and pledge your support.

Fans of the singer can also see a behind the scenes film of the charity video shoot, and hear news about her new album, her career and lifestyle on the WSPA UK website.

WSPA has built the world’s largest alliance – over 1,000 animal welfare groups in 150 countries – dedicated to alleviating animal suffering. WSPA U.S. partner organizations include the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Through its pioneering programs and unique partnerships, WSPA addresses animal welfare concerns on a truly unprecedented global scale. WSPA supports a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare at the United Nations. If adopted, it will be the first international agreement recognizing that animals are capable of experiencing pain and suffering and that their welfare should be respected. More at www.wspa-usa.org/leonalewis

Leona Lewis' new album ECHO will be in stores November 17th on J Records/Syco Music. www.leonalewismusic.com



For more on Leona Lewis please contact:
Sarah Weinstein Dennison, RCA Music Group Publicity
Tel: 212-833-5593/ Email: sarah.weinstein@sonymusic.com

For more info on Leona’s support for Animals Matter and WSPA please contact:
Meryl Bailey, WSPA U.S. Communications Officer
Tel: 617-896-9291/703-201-0591, Email: mbailey@wspausa.org


NOTES TO EDITORS:

To access the media pack (including video and images) go to:
http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/story/view/3682-leona-lewis-shows-her-support-for-the-wspa/all

WSPA has built the world’s largest alliance – over 1,000 animal welfare groups in 150 countries – dedicated to alleviating animal suffering. Through its pioneering programs and unique partnerships, WSPA addresses animal welfare concerns on a truly unprecedented global scale. WSPA U.S. partner organizations include the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. WSPA supports a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare at the United Nations. If adopted, it will be the first international agreement recognizing that animals are capable of experiencing pain and suffering and that their welfare should be respected.

Q & A with Leona Lewis
October 2009

1. Do you have any animals?
We have a family dog called Misty. My brother rescued her from an owner who was mistreating her and didn’t want her any more. We’ve had her for about four years and she is a lovely, loyal dog and a great companion – such a happy dog now.

2. Why do you support the World Society for the Protection of Animals?
I’m a big animal lover and I think the work that WSPA does is amazing. I’ve always been a huge advocate for charities that protect animals, particularly WSPA because I agree with the way that they approach things.

I wanted to get involved with them because they run great campaigns; trying to push animal welfare laws and change things permanently, for the better, which I think is amazing. I’m looking forward to helping them build as much awareness for animals as possible.

5. Tell us about this WSPA campaign you are supporting?
I’m showing my support for WSPA’s campaign to get a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. Right now, there are no international laws to protect animals and they are working to change that.

All you have to do is sign a petition – I’ve done it and I’m encouraging people to sign it and send it to a friend as well. The Universal Declaration will mean so much worldwide; it could be the start of tougher laws to protect animals around the world. So please, go to www.animalsmatter.org and add your message of support today.

3. How did you first hear about WSPA?
I heard about WSPA a few years ago and since then I’ve become a huge supporter. I’m signed up to their newsletters and I sign their petitions, which I forward on to my friends to sign. I also donate to their appeals, which could be anything from building bear sanctuaries to sending in teams to save animals after a disaster. I heard that WSPA had teams in Samoa, Indonesia and the Philippines, working to save all kinds of animals after the recent tsunami and earthquakes.

4. Which animal welfare issue (that WSPA works on) affects you the most?
I think that all of their work is important, but I really feel the laws they are trying to put into place will help animals around the world, which is what needs to happen. That’s why I’m supporting the Universal Declaration – it has massive potential to make so many bad situations better for animals. But WSPA has so many projects from bear dancing to the orangutan sanctuary they fund in Borneo – what WSPA does for animals is amazing.

5. Have you ever witnessed animal suffering/cruelty on your travels or in the UK? If so, what did you do about it?
I‘ve seen things that I would definitely consider to be neglect. One place I visited, I thought the horses looked malnourished – I’m very into horses so I know what a healthy horse should look like. Basic things weren’t taken care of, like the fact the horses didn’t have any water to drink in their field. I've also seen so many stray dogs in some countries and it just breaks my heart.

But having being a WSPA supporter for years, I knew what to do about it. I reported it to the authorities and if I saw something like that again, I would probably write to my government to say that I wouldn’t visit that country again if I saw acts of animal cruelty. As a tourist, refusing to spend our money in a particular country for ethical reasons is one of the most powerful things we can do.

6. If you could change one thing for animals now, what would that be?

If I could change anything for animals it would be that they could get the same consideration and respect that we do, which is what the international declaration is working towards