Bob Barker: He Put Animal Rights on the Map

Longtime PETA supporter Bob Barker cared about a lot of things, but what meant the most to him – and what he spent most of his life making sure his vast TV audience heard about – was animal rights.

Bob’s game show sign-off reminding people to have their animal companions spayed or neutered turned into an iconic catchphrase. His storied career was full of memorable moments: Bob had the integrity and conviction to quit a two-decade gig with the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants because the shows’ producers refused to drop fur coats from the prize packages. And when people were only just beginning to understand what was wrong with fur, he stood his ground and insisted (successfully) that the upholstery in the cars given away on The Price Is Right be leather-free.

Bob’s collaborations with PETA included urging families to stay away from SeaWorld, demanding the closure of cruel bear pits masquerading as tourist attractions, imploring Hollywood to take action to protect animals used in films and television, saving deer who were about to be shot for daring to eat flowers planted in what had been their ancestral home, and, as a Navy veteran, calling for the end of military medical drills on live animals. Bob fought for all of them – with heart, with soul, and with his wallet.

When PETA held the grand opening of our office in Los Angeles, the Bob Barker Building, he not only cut the ribbon but also footed the bill for the down payment.

When asked how he would like to be remembered, Bob said,

“I think I would like to be remembered as a man who loved living things and did everything he could do to make it better for animals. And when he had time, he did a lot of television shows, too.”

For PETA and our mission, Bob will always be special.