Animal and human heroes from across the nation will be honored for their heroic contributions to animal welfare
The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has unveiled its 2024 Humane Awards recipients, honoring both people and animal heroes from across the country who have gone above and beyond to bring attention to animal welfare and better the lives of those around them. The 2024 ASPCA Humane Award honorees, including Grammy-winner Emmylou Harris, Emmy Award winner Steven Latham, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the Dog and Cat of the Year, will be celebrated for their outstanding contributions to society at a luncheon in New York City on Thursday, October 10th.
“Our 2024 ASPCA Humane Award honorees are supporting vulnerable animals and elevating critical protections across the country, exemplifying the ASPCA’s vision of a compassionate nation where all animals are treated with respect and kindness,” states ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker. “From working on the frontlines of disasters to advocating on behalf of animals who are unable to do so for themselves, this year’s Humane Award recipients are heroes and we are grateful for their service. For more than 150 years, the ASPCA has been at the forefront of animal rescue and protection, and our work is made possible thanks to the combined compassion and dedication of people and animal heroes across the country, especially this year’s honorees.”
The ASPCA selected winners in five categories, including ASPCA Dog of the Year, ASPCA Cat of the Year, the ASPCA Equine Welfare Award, the ASPCA Presidential Service Award, and the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award, which is given to an individual or institution exhibiting exceptional leadership, compassion, and commitment to animal welfare, named after the ASPCA’s founder.
Harris will be honored with the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award. A 14-time Grammy winner and Billboard Century Award recipient, Harris’ contribution as a singer and songwriter spans 40 years. She has recorded more than 25 albums and has lent her talents to countless fellow artists’ recordings. In recognition of her remarkable career, Harris was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 2018.
Harris is one of the most admired and influential women in music. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Linda Ronstadt, Daniel Lanois, Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler, Neil Young, Gram Parsons, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett, and Rodney Crowell.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes, but most passionately to animal welfare. In 2004, she established Bonaparte’s Retreat to rescue shelter dogs and adopt them into loving homes. To this day, Bonaparte’s Retreat continues to save dogs most in need at Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control and at municipal shelters in surrounding counties. Harris is also a board member of Crossroads Campus, a nonprofit that transforms lives by creating opportunities for individuals facing poverty and homelessness to care for homeless dogs and cats.