The first “Doris Day & Terry Melcher Scholarship" was created with funds donated by Doris's non-profit organisation the Doris Day Animal Foundation and from monies left to a Terry Melcher memorial fund. The star is said to have wanted to make this donation to the University of California, Davis as a way of acknowledging the wonderful care that their professionals had provided for her animals.

"The veterinarians and staff are miracle workers, and I'm delighted that our gift will help train future veterinarians..." - Doris Day.

News story thanks to Norman Bamford (UK)    

Doris's Animal League (DDAL) has been working on animal welfare legislation at federal, state and local level since it was founded in 1987 and now has 180,000 members and supporters....

On the 1 September 2006, it announced that it will be joining forces with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).  For those who don't know the HSUS is America's largest animal protection organisation with more than 9.5 million members and constituents. In a nutshell, it is the largest mainstream voice for animals protecting them through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The merger of the two Washington based [non-profit] organisations will further enhance the good work both have striven to do.

"There is no other group like The Humane Society of the United States...We are very enthusiastic about being part of this organisation and combining our resources to help the animals."  - Doris Day

Doris and Wayne Pacelle (HSUS president and CEO) met recently at her home in Carmel to discuss the above plans. Both recognised that they can achieve more by combining their operations, in order to eliminate duplicative programs and to create a more powerful force for animal protection.

"I have been an admirer of Doris Day and her organization for many years, and it is a privilege now to be able to work so closely with her and the organisation." -Wayne Pacelle

Click HERE to make a donation that will help the Doris Day Animal League continue with its projects.

Doris Day's Animal Foundation airlifts dogs and cats from the US region devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Another consequence to the devastation caused by Katrina is that evacuees of hurricane-torn Louisiana were not allowed to take their beloved pets when they fled their homes.

Many were lost, abandoned and nearly starved. However, on the evening of 3 October 2005, 130 four-legged survivors were rescued thanks to the kindness of Doris's Washington based foundation that funded $20,000 towards a chartered airlift.

This project helped deliver the animals from rural New Iberia, La., to the Santa Cruz SPCA which are now working to find loving homes for them all in the California area.

"There are no words to express the overwhelming joy and gratitude I feel in my heart right now. In cooperation with the Santa Cruz SPCA, the Doris Day Animal Foundation has been given the opportunity to airlift 130 dogs and cats out of several overcrowded Louisiana shelters. Our rescue mission is called OPERATION JUST PAWS. These precious angels are the silent victims of Hurricane Katrina and I’m so grateful that we can contribute to this humanitarian effort." - Doris Day (Oct '05)