Butler was honored with the award by the Center For A Humane Economy and the Global Council For Animals at the first Malibu Sunset Soirée For Animals on October 5 in California. Tal Ronnen, founder and chef at vegan restaurant Crossroads Kitchen, presented the award and described Butler as “an amazing champion for the animals.”
He was honored along with actor and director Alison Eastwood, philanthropist Laurie McGrath, and scientist and philanthropist Gary Michelson. The Center For A Humane Economy is a non-profit that works on public education and corporate and political lobbying on animal welfare policies. Its Global Council for Animals comprises a group of “change agents” working to secure major reforms to protect animals, of which Butler’s wife Gloria is a member.
“It is no exaggeration to say that millions of animals will be spared torment and cruelty because of their selfless dedication to the well-being of animals,” Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center For A Humane Economy, said of the awardees.
In a 2023 interview, Butler explained that he went vegan at eight years old after his mother served him a piece of meat for dinner that was bleeding. When he realized it did that because it was an animal, he decided never to eat meat again. “She understood where I was coming from, so she always gave me vegetables,” he said of his mother.
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