Morrissey has inspired countless thousands of people (including Thom Yorke) to become vegetarian as a result of his "Meat Is Murder" song. His concert Boycott of Canada because of the seal hunt was commendable. In the inside notes of his last three CD's Morrissey's encouraged fans to join and support PETA. The rock stars who have done the most to support animal rights are Paul McCartney, Chrissie Hynde, Morrissey, Moby, Boston (Tom Scholz), Joan Jett and noise musician Merzbow. Leona lewis and Jazz vocalist Michael Franks are also very helpful.

Posted by: Brien Comerford | March 4, 2009 10:34 AM

He is boycotting Canada for the seal which is pretty cool and awsome for the seal.

I'm not sure how heartfelt that answer is but where there is a contest for me to win free vinyl albums enter it I must. :)

So huray for a heartfelt/honest answer.

Posted by: Pepsi One is Fun | March 4, 2009 10:40 AM

That's Right! That's the way to do it! That's the way to throw your weight around, to use your celebrity for good. Thats very heartwarming. Thank you.

It is incomprehensible to me that grown men use their authority and strength to violate nature and murder baby seals. Have they no clue the hell they are going to reap from that?

Heartless Fools!

Posted by: Saucy | March 4, 2009 11:47 AM

morrissey is my last name.
so i should totally win.

Posted by: lina morrissey | March 4, 2009 12:34 PM

Refusing to perform in Canada hits them right in the wallet, which needs to be done to the degree that the Canadian government decides the seal slaughter is no longer worth it. Think of the loss of revenue from venues, hotels, transportation and the entire tourism industry if every major performer decided to do the same, including actors refusing to work on location in Canada. Pamela Anderson, if you read this, I'm sure you have friends you can influence.

Posted by: Rev. Meg Schramm | March 4, 2009 01:14 PM

The most important thing Morrissey has done for animals is to not procreate. There are way too many human beings on this planet and animals continue to suffer because of us.

Posted by: Darlene | March 4, 2009 02:26 PM

He's the true hero. What a standup kind of guy. This is what it takes to stop animal abuse. Instead of being in the middle of the road, he made a decision to make a stand against animal abuse.

Posted by: Dorothy Roche | March 4, 2009 02:44 PM

In the documentary "The Importance of Being Morrissey," the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde talks about how she's met so many people who were motivated to go vegetarian when they heard The Smiths' song "Meat is Murder" (for the young'uns - Morrissey was The Smiths' frontman before striking out with his solo career). I've had the same experience as Hynde: many of my friends had their eyes opened to the plight of animals thanks to Morrissey's musical advocacy. I already have M's new album, but I wanted to add my two cents on why the Master of Maudlin is such a marvelous friend to animals.

Posted by: Gracie C-F | March 4, 2009 04:34 PM

A few years ago Paul McCartney and Heather Mills did all they could to protest the hellish seal hunt. They had a bad marriage but united for a few very good causes.

The person who lauded Morrissey for not procreating made a very salient declaration.

Posted by: Paul McCartney | March 4, 2009 04:39 PM

The meat is murder album alone got lots of attention to the barbaric habit of eating dead animals for taste!

Posted by: Brian N. | March 4, 2009 06:58 PM

It takes an amazing person to stand up publicly for what they believe. If more famous people did the same thing and stood up for the savagery against animals, change might happen a little quicker. It is an honorable thing that he is doing.

Posted by: Johanna McCoy | March 4, 2009 07:20 PM

Despite the controversy, Morrissey has stated that he will never tour Canada as long as the seal "hunt" continues. Though I am a Canadian fan, and saddened I can't see him on my home turf, I fully support him in this decision. I'll just have to make due watching online videos and listening to his cd's (cough cough...album!). Of course naming a Smiths album Meat is Murder, and backing it up with one of their best songs doesn't hurt. Morrissey is an inspiration both musically and ethically.

Posted by: Jason | March 4, 2009 07:22 PM

nice to see something good happen

Posted by: susan varney | March 4, 2009 07:30 PM

he's protecting the seals.

Posted by: Andrew Gordon | March 4, 2009 08:06 PM

should win because I am the only one who showered today

n 1984, the band released two non-album singles: "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" (the band's first UK top-ten hit) and "William, It Was Really Nothing" (which featured "How Soon Is Now?" as a B-side). The year ended with the compilation album Hatful of Hollow. This collected singles, B-sides and the versions of songs that had been recorded throughout the previous year for the Peel and Jensen shows. Early in 1985 the band released their second album, Meat Is Murder. Meat Is Murder was the band's only album (barring compilations) to reach number one in the UK charts.[14] The single-only release "Shakespeare's Sister" reached number 26 on the UK Singles Chart, although the only single taken from the album, "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore", was less successful barely making the top 50

and

Morrissey has been vegetarian since he was 11 years old. Morrissey explained his vegetarianism by saying "If you love animals, obviously it doesn't make sense to hurt them."[66] Morrissey is an advocate for animal rights and a supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In recognition of his support, PETA honoured him with the Linda McCartney Memorial Award at their 25th Anniversary Gala on 10 September 2005.[67]Morrissey has been known to wear leather, stating in 1986 that "there is simply no sensible alternative" to leather shoes. He has also said "I find shoes difficult to be ethical about - one just can't seem to avoid leather. One is trapped, ultimately."[68] Morrissey notably named one of his songs "Meat is Murder", which shared its name with the album it was featured on. It was the second studio album (and third overall album) of The Smiths.

In January 2006, Morrissey attracted criticism after stating he accepts the motives behind the militant tactics of the Animal Rights Militia, saying "I understand why fur-farmers and so-called laboratory scientists are repaid with violence - it is because they deal in violence themselves and it's the only language they understand."[69]

Morrissey has criticised people who are involved in the promotion of eating meat, specifically Jamie Oliver and Clarissa Dickson Wright — the latter already targeted by some animal rights activists for her stance on fox hunting. In response, Dickson-Wright stated “Morrissey is encouraging people to commit acts of violence and I am constantly aware that something might very well happen to me.” The Conservative MP David Davis criticised these comments, though his party leader David Cameron has claimed to be a Smiths fan.[70] On 27 March 2006, Morrissey released a statement that he would not include any concert dates in Canada on his world tour that year — and that he supported a boycott of all Canadian goods — in protest of the country's annual seal hunt, which he described as a "barbaric and cruel slaughter".[71] The comedian Russell Brand, who is also a vegetarian, regularly stated on his BBC Radio 2 show that Morrissey was his hero and often played his music and read out emails Morrissey had sent him.

Posted by: Msandy | March 4, 2009 08:23 PM

wow..Morrissey has done countless of things to improve animal welfare ..he has been outspoken for as long as I have listened to him ( its been since the 8o's ) ..and told the brutal grim truth of what happens to animals when murdered for meat and how they are mistreated period..so so many people I know have gone vegan or vegetarian because of how they were effected by the meat is murder album alone...morrissey through out the years had helped nurture many many animal activists ..which has helped a countless number of animals have a voice that they so desperately deserve..

Posted by: S.L.Johnson | March 5, 2009 12:16 AM

Morrissey is a great role model, caring for seals in Canada and writing the song "Meat is Murder". Thanks heavens!

Posted by: meredith rogen | March 5, 2009 05:55 AM

Morrissey has done so much for the music community. Advocating Animal Rights through songs inspires fans like me to want to be an Activist and to become a better person leading to the world of Vegetarianism. His song "Meat is Murder" says it all " Heifer whines could be human cries. Closer comes the screaming knife. This beautiful creature must die.
This beautiful creature must die. A death for no reason
And DEATH FOR NO REASON IS MURDER". He promotes Moral and Ethical treatment of Animals, and recently spoke out against the new multi-million dollar Oxford animal testing laboratory. during his concert he said at Oxford's New Theatre "If you agree with vivisection, go and be vivisected upon yourself" Wise words by a wise man. Everything he does through his music will inspire his fans to take a closer look at this miserable world we live in.

respect & overthow,
Ashley

Posted by: Ashley | March 5, 2009 05:26 PM

It is truely amazing how many different gernerations Morrissey has inspired with his lyrics. His music is inspiring and when you listen closely to the lyrics one knows he is sincere. I think what separates Morrissey from other artists is how he is not afraid to use his music as a portal of communication to his millions of fans. He is definitely not at all a "sell out", offering positive and meaningful lyrics(which are hard to come by these days). When I listen to his lyrics I know they are genuine and original unlike any music I have heard throughout my twenty-six years. Morrissey has done many positive things, but to me the most important one would be how he inspires and motivates me through his music to continue my promise to be a vegan. Sometimes it is not easy and when I feel like throwing in the towel, I can always rely on a good Morrissey album to keep me on track.

Posted by: Erika Flores | March 5, 2009 10:45 PM

Morrissey's never been shy about his vegetarianism and his stance on animal rights. In the vast majority of his interviews he mentions it. His speaking out for animals is the greatest thing he's done. I'm sure he's helped to convert many who enjoy his music.

Posted by: Kelli | March 6, 2009 03:44 AM

Personnally the saying "Meat is Murder" made an impact with me, It is a forceful and true statement which hits a nerve. I was already a morrissey fan (83)and had toyed with vegetrianism but this title; lyric made a real impact and 24 years later I'm still a passionate and strict veggie.
when Morrissey says " Nobody can come up with a good argument for eating animals - nobody can." it helps influence young people the way I was inspired. finally by just being him he helps animals.

Posted by: elaine shuker | March 6, 2009 06:11 AM

I think his biggest contribution was recording an album and song entitled "meat is murder" with his days with the smiths. The song has personally inspired me and many other fans to become vegan.

Posted by: lee | March 6, 2009 06:42 AM

Morrissey publicized his values with the album and song "Meat Is Murder" over twenty years ago, but more importantly, he has never wavered in his staunch support of animal rights and in interviews is always quick to defend his positions. He is a great singer and an even greater man.

Posted by: Keli T | March 6, 2009 07:30 AM

Morrissey has said it repeatedly, "animals look to us for protection". He has taken this very statement seriously. I don't think anything more profound can be said. I think this is the most important thing he's ever done. I repeat this statement over and over when I pass a butcher shop or the meat aisle in the supermarket. Simple as that. This statement has changed the way I think. And the fact that he stops his car on the road to rescue a squirrel or cat struggling for life just tells you his commitment to their protection and reinforces his dedication to that statement.
Enough said.

Posted by: Diane | March 6, 2009 08:11 AM

He refused to sit on Russell Brand's leather chair!

That may be a lame answer but I do have a Morrissey lyric tattoo, which I'm willing to show in order to get the prize ;-)

Posted by: Liz Tray | March 6, 2009 08:48 AM

The best thing Morrissey has done for animals is to write "Meat is Murder". This song has opened the eyes of thousends of people and convertet an equall amount to vegetarianism. It must be amazing to be Morrissey, and just think how many animal lifes he has saved through that song!

Posted by: Aleksander Wilhelmsen | March 6, 2009 09:32 AM

Morrissey once asked his former sleeve art coordinator Jo Slee to rescue a drowning wasp in a swimming pool.

Posted by: Sébastien | March 6, 2009 09:48 AM

The best thing Morrissey has done has to put in practice his beliefs by not playing any concerts in Canada and by refusing to play concert halls that serve flesh.

On the outset it may seem simple, but this is by far the best way of protesting against the barbarism - every day citizens feel a pang in their stomachs because a world class musician refuses to go near their country; Morrissey fans are jolted into action because they want to see him and the government has a bright moral light pointed at it - and it fails the test.

The same principle applies to his refusal to allow meat to be served at venues. There is probably a personal sacrifice to be made as I'm sure 99% of venues are annoyed greatly by this.

Posted by: Damien Dixon | March 6, 2009 10:20 AM

Morrissey changed the way people think about animals. He changed peoples lives which, in turn, has saved animals lives.

Posted by: oliver | March 6, 2009 10:36 AM

Morrissey is a hero.

Posted by: Linda Chaput | March 6, 2009 10:42 AM

I live in a distant place called Peru. I was born here and i was raised here (like some people did un Maudlin Street). All my life i thought that eating animals was the right thing to do: my parents did it, my sister did it, my teachers did it, in fact, all the people i care and admire did it. So, there was nothing to think about that: normal people eats meat. One day, one friend of mine gave me a mix tape with his favorite smiths songs and i fell in love with that tape like i haven't done with any other before. One of the songs, Meat is murder, changed my life(and many others around the world) with a simple but strong message. I stopped eating meat since that day and i had to fight against family and friends for that reason. Sometimes i felt like i was alone but i knew i would always have Morrissey by my side. That was good enough.

Posted by: Víctor Hugo Vargas | March 6, 2009 10:43 AM

Remember the photo of Morrissey during the 1980's, removing the cover from a silver platter to reveal a cat on a serving dish? Although not as intense as the song "meat is murder," this image reminds us that all animals have feelings and intelligence, and if you'll eat part of a cow, why is that so different from eating part of a cat? All animals deserve to be treated with kindness, not just the cute and cuddly ones.

Posted by: greg | March 6, 2009 12:12 PM

Morrissey has done many things to help animal rights. My favourite is his refusal to play shows in Canada because of the annual seal slaughter. The seal hunt is pure barbarism. I find it appalling that the government allows it to continue to happen, in what is believed by many to be a civilized country. It makes me ashamed and embarrassed to be Canadian.

Posted by: Bonnie Puumala | March 6, 2009 02:17 PM

On commenting on my favorite thing that Morrissey has done for animals I cannot help but explain my favorite thing that Morrissey has done for my family and I, for they are bond one to the other. I can sincerely state that Morrissey is responsible for creating at least four more vegitarians and animal rights advocates in this often times dark and uncaring world of ours. Before we met, my wife along with her brother, were long time Smiths fans influenced both by the music and Morrissey's stance towards women's rights, gay rights and animal rights, and as a result both are going on their 23rd year as vegeterians and sensitive caring humanitarians. I myself never gave the Smiths nor Morrissey the time of day as a younger man, preferring instead the rougher, angrier punk and hardcore of the time. However, upon meeting and marrying my beautiful wife, the Smiths and Morrissey entered my open ears for the first time and so did a whole new way looking and relating to the world around me. Though my wife was a vegetarian, the carnivore that I was needed more convincing than our herbaceous neighbors could readily supply. And so it was that as I grew more fasinated with this enigmatic man and his music my heart was beginging to make room for things that before I had considered anathema or simply not considered at all, one of those being my relationship to the animals of the world, both human and non-human. Meat Is Murder, when finally I reached this odd masterpiece, with it's message as disturbingly stated as Over the Moors, really allowed my mind, body and spirit to make the passage to a life-style of vegetarianism and a heightened sensitivity for the needy, downtrodden and misunderstood. The message of equality of longing, passion, vitality, needing to be loved and a responsiblity for the defenceless of the world that spoke and speaks to my wife, her brother, myself and now my six year old son has led and is leading us all on a journey not only of vegetarianism but a true passion for living where in we often times find ourselves transforming Morrissey's lyrics from that person who "just can't find there place is this world" to one in whom the desire to change and ultimately end the senseless suffering, humilation and slaughter cast upon our brethern empowers us to declare, inexplicably, that "Now our Heart Is Full." The magnet upon our home refrigerator of Morrissey pointing to the LA billboard declearing "Meat is Murder" is an homage to my son's, wife's and my own debt to this man, and a reminder of our responsibility of love, respect and protection for those we share this place called earth, with fur or without.

Posted by: james hochmuth | March 6, 2009 05:44 PM

Morrissey has educated me not to eat my friends. I try my hardest to not wear my friends either. I tell all my friends to not eat hamburgers or they will get cancer.

Posted by: Josh | March 6, 2009 06:11 PM

I'm going with boycotting Canada for the seal hunt. Although simply releasing an album called 'Meat is Murder' may have been just as good.

Posted by: Nick | March 6, 2009 06:49 PM

Count me in :)

Posted by: Karen Gonyea | March 6, 2009 09:46 PM

Morrissey has achieved great things. With the song "meat is murder" has turned hundreds of people into vegetarians,like me. With his song "Yes I am blind" he says: Little lamb on a hill run fast if you can. Good cristians they want to kill you and your life hasn't even began. You're just like me and your life hasn't even begun! He was right...When I bought Ringleader of the tormentors I observed a sign which was please join the people for the ethnical treatment of animals-www.peta.org, I did and I am very glad because it's a site which supports what I support. Now he refuses to play in Canada because of the slaughter of seals there. He cares about animals and he does something about it, just like Peta.

Posted by: Orestis Papaioannou | March 7, 2009 01:51 AM

Morrissey has helped animals in so many ways. Encouraging people to go vegetarian or boycotting Canada are two. His video for Everyday Is Like Sunday is such a strong message to protect animals. But one thing I can't get out of my mind is how Morrissey cared for a sick and old pet. He said the pet needed caring around the clock, and he had to take it to the bathroom and stuff. To the end, he had to take it to the vet, so they put it to sleep. Morrissey said he wept for weeks. I believe this shows you how much this man loves animals. Most people would just get rid of the old pet, and then go to the mall and buy a new one. Also, Morrissey said when he is outside, and he sees an animal lying on the street, he stops and looks if the animal is still alive. Helping animals is such a big part of his life. I must admit I always drive around an animal when I see one on the street. Morrissey is such a special person. There are not many people in the world who have this love for animals and are so outspoken for their well being.

Steffi

Posted by: Steffi | March 7, 2009 06:07 AM

morrissey has saved billions of lives of animals.

i wish more people were like morrissey.

i hate this cruel world we live in. HAIL MORRISSEY. HAIL PETA

Posted by: linzi burgess | March 7, 2009 07:14 AM

Morrissey makes fantastic music, but I don't care what he's doing for animals.

Can I win anyway?

Posted by: Charming Man | March 7, 2009 07:51 AM

I believe the ULTIMATE and SUPREME action that Morrissey has done for animals is to convince The Smiths to name their 2nd acclaimed album Meat is Murder which ranked #1 in UK and gained tons of visibility and entered into people's consciousness. All that with honesty.

Posted by: stephane brisebois | March 7, 2009 06:18 PM

I have tickets to his show 3/09 in Asheville. I have been a fan for years.

Posted by: John Rasmussen | March 8, 2009 04:05 AM

I was 16 the first time I discovered Morrissey. Back then he was in The Smiths, it was 1987. I not only loved his lyrics, his voice, and his beauty, but admired his love of animals. He inspired me so many years ago that eating meat was wrong. His passion to deliver that message and continually use his status to show how inhumane eating meat is has never faltered. I never felt he was jumping on some bandwagon or doing it to make himself look like a better person. He feelings are not self serving. And although I am Canadian and am sad about him not touring our country, I find his pledge a strong statement. Even though he would make loads of money to play up here he is choosing to send this message, that says alot about the measure of a person. To me his boycott is admirable and has inspired many to take to local resources to let our government know that seal hunting is unacceptable.

Posted by: kathy | March 8, 2009 09:24 AM

The most important thing Morrissey did in my eyes was making animal cruelty known to the world. And putting a face on vegetarianism. Celebrities are the best mediums to get messages across and I am grateful that Morrissey spoke out for the 'weaker' and gentler ones in our world, the ones that won't speak up for themselves and will always turn the other cheek. By being honest and showing the world as it is; he is telling us that it is not okay to accept the cruelty in the world as if it were normal, and not let the politicians and (meat) lobbist tell us what the world should look like. By showing a video in which a cow is murdered, (which is so not done in our society; slaughter houses really don't exist, meat just appears in handy little clean packages in the super markets) he's throwing the responsibility back to us. We are letting this happen. I like to think that the world is a better place for a lot of animals because of him, but there is still so much to do.

Posted by: Marjan | March 8, 2009 10:52 AM

"Heifer whines could be human cries
Closer comes the screaming knife
This beautiful creature must die
This beautiful creature must die
A death for no reason
And death for no reason is murder"
legendary lyrics such as these speak for themselves taken from the daunting single meat is murder which has been noted on record as converting more people to vegetarianism than anything else. morrissey has shown commitment to his beliefs consistently through out his career and life, evidentally proving this in the current day with his protest against canada, he never passes up a moment to spread the word or judge people who dont share his views or put them in to practise, over the years he has opened up new doors to the way people may think about animals and has projected the message that he has more faith in the animal race than he does in the human one. He has stuck strong with his belief and passion for animals and im sure he has changed the thoughts and actions of every one of his adoring fans in some way. viva morrissey.

Posted by: Roscoe Edwards | March 8, 2009 02:07 PM

Simply by naming a classic album Meat Is Murder, Morrissey has spread the word about animal right to people who never would have encountered it otherwise - and that's important

Posted by: S | March 8, 2009 09:23 PM

Morrissey has made many people aware about the horrors of the meat industry and baptised many new vegetarians with his song "Meat is Murder."

Posted by: Keith Bogardus | March 8, 2009 10:02 PM

My favorite thing that
Moz has done for animals is giving up that stinky smelly meat in the first place... then going on to write the song that made thousands and thousands convert to vegetarianism. Peta is the only thing that has turned more people into vegetarians than Mozzer.

He's the bee's knees for writing Meat is Murder and
Peta is the bee's knees for giving away his vinyl (along with everything else you guys and gals do.)

Posted by: mike | March 9, 2009 10:24 AM

Well my comment will not win, but I will post it anyway. It will not win because the most important thing Morrissey has done for animals is to turn me vegan. I know this sounds incredibly small-minded and laudable but it is because of Morrissey that my attitudes on treatment to animals have been formed; I am, as a young man, the centre of my universe so to applaud Morrissey for his Canadian boycott is fine (and of course I do just this) but it must be, in the last analysis, how he has affected me, because this is what I have first hand experience of. A lot of people claim to be animal rights supporters but when it comes down to it they bottle it, and hide it all away. Morrissey didn't and it is because I admired him so much that I felt that I should also question my views, because how could I relate to him if I didn't agree with this major block. Morrissey, in essence, caused me to think, and this sounds so empty but it is so easy to wander callously through this life without ever taking a moment to consider ANYTHING else, it is because of Morrissey I thought of animals, and now uphold there position and protection at every oppurtunity, unashamedly.

Posted by: Lewis Adam Mills | March 9, 2009 01:06 PM

his boycotting of shows in canada is a pretty strong statement.

Posted by: sandra | March 11, 2009 07:02 AM

well glad to see someone using something which is re-usable!~ great contests guys thanks

Posted by: mary | March 12, 2009 08:17 AM

Thanks for the contest!

Posted by: Anna | March 12, 2009 11:32 AM

This is truly something i should win, as i am a huge morrissey fan

Posted by: gerald estep, Jr. | March 14, 2009 02:37 PM

i'm really impressed he's boycotting shows in canada

Posted by: christopher h | March 15, 2009 12:23 AM

I love Morrissey, and I bought Meat is Murder when it first came out!

Posted by: Julieh | March 15, 2009 01:20 PM

In an interview with PETA Morrissey said, "I always looked at animals and thought they were very much like children and they looked to us always to help them and save them and protect them". Taking animals and relating them to children gives a perspective that people might be missing. It shows how helpless they are. Morrissey has gone out of his way again and again to show his love for animals. He isn't just looking for publicity. When he refuses to play in Canada because of the killing of seals, he is losing money, but his beliefs are more important to him. That is something that I can respect.

Posted by: Kelly F | March 17, 2009 07:02 AM

good contest

Posted by: pamela m | March 17, 2009 07:17 PM

After hearing Morrissey talk on the radio recently I have gone vegetarian. He is my inspiration now. I fully support him in everything he does.

Posted by: beatrixinvogue | March 18, 2009 07:37 AM

Morrissey has inspired countless thousands of people.

Posted by: Timothy Sternberg | March 18, 2009 08:39 AM

Morrissey is helping by boycotting Canada. Also, didn't the Smith release an album called Meat Is Murder? I might be wrong, but I know that Morrissey stands up for animal rights. Thank you

Posted by: Alan D | March 18, 2009 10:21 AM

I feel good that he's protecting seals

Posted by: michael woods | March 18, 2009 07:15 PM