Actor in new PETA ad: ‘Love them – Desex them’

PETA
Denise Roberts aims to help take a bite out of the homeless cat and dog crisis as Australia marks National Desexing Month

Sydney — Venerable actor Denise Roberts has nothing against sex — unless you’re talking about cats and dogs. That’s why Roberts eagerly agreed to shoot a brand-new ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia just in time for National Desexing Month (July). In the ad, Roberts is holding her little dog, Bugsy, next to the caption “Love Them. Desex Them”. The ad goes on to read, “More than 200,000 animals are euthanised in shelters every year. Please do your part — always desex. And never buy an animal — always adopt.”

“Unfortunately, cats and dogs don’t practice birth control, so it’s up to their guardians to be responsible and always have their animals desexed”, says PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker. “And every time someone buys a cat or dog from a pet store or breeder, a homeless animal awaiting adoption in a shelter loses his or her chance to find a loving home.”

In six years, one unfixed dog and her offspring can produce 60,000 puppies. One unfixed female cat can produce 420,000 cats in just seven years, and an unfixed male cat can father limitless litters of kittens. Every year, countless dogs and cats are dumped at severely crowded animal shelters, where most must be euthanised. The less fortunate never even make it to a safe haven; they are abandoned to fend for themselves on the streets, where they often suffer from cruelty, starvation, diseases or injuries. Also, spaying and neutering makes animals happier and healthier. The simple surgery reduces aggressiveness and the risk of certain diseases, including reproductive cancer.

Roberts has worked in theatre, film and television since 1980. She gained initial fame when she played Julie Winters in the ABC-TV medical drama G.P. from 1989 to 1996 and also appeared in Channel 7’s Packed to the Rafters. Roberts is best known for her starring roles as university registrar Jessica Andrews in Channel 7’s Headland, town matriarch Isabelle Turnbull in Always Greener, and Inspector Diane Pappas in Nine Network’s Cops L.A.C. The ad was shot by ace photographer Danni Nix. Denise’s make-up and hair was done by Lisa Cotterill.

For more information about desexing, please visit PETAAsiaPacific.com.

To watch Denise speak about desexing.