As another EU country bans domestic fur-farming, U.S. animal rights advocate sadly face the fact that the same has no chances of happening under the Trump administration. Still, they are thankful that they have the support of many Americans who share the same cause as theirs
One such person was Sam Simon, best known for co-creating the longest running TV series “The Simpsons.” Not everyone knows that he went on to become a philanthropist who championed the cause of animal rights movements.
As Simon annually collected $10 million in royalties from “The Simpsons,” he donated large sums to several charitable institutions. Animal and children’s welfare was his main interests, for which he donated considerable sums to the “Save the Children Fund,” the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
To further advance his participation in the campaign for animal rights and their protection, Simon established the Sam Simon Foundation in 2002. Regrettably, Sam Simon passed away in 2015 at the age of 59, after battling with Stage 4 colorectal cancer for about 3 years.
The truth is, I have more money than I’m interested in spending. Everyone in my family is taken care of. And I enjoy this….Sam Simon, TV Producer, Writer, Philanthropist
Sam Simon’s Unforgettable Contributions
Born Samuel Michael Simon to a well-to-do family, he started his career as an illustrator even before he graduated from Stanford University in 1977. After being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2012, the reality of his mortality spurred him into making moves that went beyond signing checks for donations.
The thing about animals that speaks to me so much is that my passion for the animals and against animal abuse is based on the knowledge that these creatures which think and feel can’t speak for themselves, and they’re dependent on us for that.
The Sam Simon Anti-Whaling Ship – The terminally ill philanthropist collaborated with one of his major beneficiaries, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, to launch a more aggressive stance against whaling activities. The collaboration carried out a plan to disrupt the ongoing whaling operations of the Nisshin Maru Factory in Japan, by buying a sea vessel from the Japanese government. In 2013, Nisshin Maru’s mother ship for Antarctic whale research was rammed five times by anti-whaling ships sent out by Sea Shepherd, which included the Sam Simon-funded vessel.
Sam Simon Bought a Fur Farm to Save 425 Chinchillas – 2014 saw Sam Simon buy a chinchilla breeding farm from an owner who was no longer interested in continuing the business. PETA and the San Diego Humane Society, had sought Sam Simon’s help to save the chinchillas from imminent death, which was by way of a crude electrocution device. After Sam arranged for the farm’s purchase, the animals were immediately removed from their chinchilla enclosure. They were then transferred to the San Diego Humane Society and were put up for adoption.