The International Fund for Animal Welfare honored six Animal Action Award winners at a moving reception at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica on Thursday. The no-frills event marked the first time the international awards had been presented in the U.S. The honorees included such vocal IFAW supporters as California lieutenant governor John Garamendi and actor Ben Stein, who appears on YouTube with his dog, Bridget, to appeal for donations to the animal rights organization.
Other winners included Steve Smith and Alayne Marker, founders of the Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary for disabled animals in Montana, and 14-year-old seal campaign activist Marcelo Hoynowski. After grazing on a vegetarian buffet of salads and cheeses, guests gathered for the award presentations, which featured videos of each recipient. The org's director of donor advancement and stewardship, Donna Gadomski, organized the event in-house.
Other winners included Steve Smith and Alayne Marker, founders of the Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary for disabled animals in Montana, and 14-year-old seal campaign activist Marcelo Hoynowski. After grazing on a vegetarian buffet of salads and cheeses, guests gathered for the award presentations, which featured videos of each recipient. The org's director of donor advancement and stewardship, Donna Gadomski, organized the event in-house.
