When you mention Brigitte Bardot, most movie buffs will refer to her iconic Roger Vadim film, Et Dieu Créa la Femme (And God Created Woman), filmed in Saint Tropez in 1956. Her arrival in the 1950s completely transformed Saint-Tropez, from a sleepy fishing village into the jet-set destination that it still is today.
But not everyone is aware that after stepping away from her acting career, Brigitte Bardot chose to devote herself to the animal rights movement. She established the Brigitte Bardot Animal Foundation in 1986. And has since been a fervent advocate for animal welfare, fighting against the fur trade, factory farming, and animal abuse worldwide.
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation’s History
- In 1962, Brigitte Bardot was the first person in France to denounce the cruel methods of slaughtering animals for meat products.
- Then in 1977 she went to the Canadian ice banks to raise awareness of the massacre of young seals.
- In 1986 Brigitte Bardot created her Fondation Brigitte Bardot (FBB) in Saint-Tropez where she had been living.
- Faced with increasing notoriety, the head office moved to Paris in 1988.
- In 1992, following the donation of Brigitte Bardot’s famous French Riviera home, La Madrague, the foundation was recognised as a public utility.
- The same year it acquired La Mare Auzou, which would become the first animal shelter.
- In 1995 the Dalai Lama became an Honorary Member of the Foundation.
- In 2006 Brigitte Bardot donated her property in the Paris region to the Foundation, to create a second animal shelter named Bazoches.
- Two more animal shelters opened in Dordogne (2017) and Normandie (2019), thanks to the generosity of donors.
The Foundation Today
- Today the Brigitte Bardot Foundation is present in 70 countries. It has nearly 300 employees, 70,000 donors worldwide and more than 500 volunteer investigators.
- It supports associations in France and around the world to encourage them to continue their animal welfare operations.
- Among the Foundation’s ongoing actions is a public awareness campaign about the thousands of pets that are abandoned each summer before the holidays. And a timely reminder of the need to look after our pets during heatwaves.
- The Foundation also participates in major international conferences such as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and SSN (Species Survival Network). With the aim of playing a key role in the discussion and adoption of laws aimed at protecting animal species.
I gave my beauty and youth to men, I give my wisdom and experience to animals.
Brigitte Bardot
To find out more about this amazing charity, volunteer or make a donation, please visit the site.
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