Willie Nelson
Music legend Willie Nelson has always championed the underdog - human and animal - and is an advocate for Best Friends' life-saving issues. Co-founder Francis Battista refers to him as Saint Willie for his work on behalf of animals.
Willie filmed a public service announcement in support of legislation to close loopholes in Georgia's dogfighting laws, campaigned for passage of Ohio House Bill 14, which ended the 24-year-old breed discriminatory legislation declaring pit bull terriers as vicious, and supported Texas House Bill which would have required government-run animal shelters in counties with greater than 75,000 populations to work with qualified rescue organizations. He also sent a letter to each of Austin's City Council members in support of No More Homeless Pets Network partner Austin Pets Alive! and their request to operate out of the city's former animal shelter location.
Although unable to attend the grand opening of the Best Friends Pet Adoption and Spay/Neuter Center in Los Angeles, he issued this statement of support. "Thanks to Best Friends Animal Society for taking over the Northeast animal shelter and providing Los Angeles the opportunity to begin the transformation into a 'no-kill' city. This will set a much-needed new standard of care for shelter animals everywhere. Hurray for Best Friends. Keep up the great work."