A new relationship with animals, nature and each other.

Doris Day + Paul McCartney = Animals

The rock star interviews the movie star


They’re both mega-stars. But more important to each of them is their concern for animals.

Now 87 years old, Doris Day is releasing a new album of songs, her first in nearly 20 years. And to help promote it, she invited Paul McCartney to her home in Carmel, California, for an interview. It’s published in the London Daily Telegraph, and here are a few excerpts:

Paul McCartney: Is it true when you sing Joe Cocker’s You Are So Beautiful you are singing about the beauty you find in animals?

Doris Day: Well I do find the beauty in animals. I find beauty everywhere. I find beauty in my garden.

PM: Was there any single moment that made you dedicate your life to helping animals? For me it was when I was in Tennessee once and fishing in a lake. I could see the fish struggling for his life and it was a moment. I thought ‘I don’t need your life’ and I put him back. I haven’t fished since.

DD: I’ve just always loved animals. With the band, I couldn’t have any pets then when I went into films and stayed in one place, I could. I’ve had many of them and I still have many.

PM: I know, I’ve been round to your house. Funny how some people think they’re not as important as humans. They don’t realize we’re so privileged to live on this planet with all these beautiful animals.

DD: You’re so right. Mine are so sweet. I love helping horses, dogs, every animal.

PM: And is it true that on the set of The Man Who Knew Too Much, you demanded from Alfred Hitchcock that the animals on set should be better cared for?

DD: I did. Because they weren’t being looked after. They were being used. So I spoke with Hitch about it and he agreed and then they were treated beautifully.

PM: And now at the end of every film, there’s a statement saying no animals were harmed making this movie. So you were a pioneer in that, Doris.

DD: That’s the way I feel. I just love animals, babies and music.

In 1978, Doris Day founded the Doris Day Animal Foundation to help fund non-profit causes that care for and protect animals.

In 1987, she launched the Doris Day Animal League, whose primary work is to promote legislation that prevents cruelty to animals. The organization was merged with the Humane Society of the United States in 2006.