Simon Cowell - The Animal Warrior

HE’S a music mogul with a rep for being a meanie but Simon Cowell is also an animal welfare warrior who is helping save countless lives.

- Vanessa Papas

LOVE him or hate him, Simon Cowell is not one to mince his words with his notoriously blunt comments. Known for breaking the hearts of many wannabe superstars in his role as a judge on America’s Got Talent, he has earned a reputation as somewhat of a talent show villain. But Simon is more than just a big fat meanie. In fact, he is behind a new wave of incredible animal warriors who are helping save the lives of thousands of dogs destined for the meat market in South Korea.

Simon didn’t become an animal activist overnight. At first, he simply spoke out on social media platforms against people who leave their animals in hot cars, then he began researching more about the fur trade. He brought welfare into his own home when he adopted three small rescued terriers – a mom and her pups – who had been abandoned. Last year, after hearing the plight of over 200 dogs of all shapes and sizes (including poodles, Labs and collies) subjected to hunger, poor health and neglect, he stepped up his game tenfold. He donated a chunk of his earnings – close to half a million rand – to help save these animals destined for slaughter for meat and was instrumental in shutting down an infamous dog meat farm in Gyeonggi-do and helping finance a rescue operation for the dogs.