Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler Recently Awarded for His Dedication to Animal Welfare

There are still good people in the world, thank goodness. One of them is Geezer Butler, who was recently honored for his lifelong commitment to animal welfare by the Center For A Humane Economy. He was among only four honorees.

Even though the ceremony happened at the beginning of October, Butler spoke of his achievement just last night (October 12) with a proud Instagram post. He shared some photos and a video from the ceremony, which was the first Malibu Sunset Soirée For Animals. Butler’s wife and manager Gloria was part of the committee throwing the event. Along with the photos, he shared this little message as well.

“I’m not sure what was more shocking; me getting an award for something that @gloriadeebutler kept as a surprise or that #talronnen actually left @crossroadskitchen to present it to me. Cheers, Tal. Cheers to the #globalcouncilforanimals & #centerforhumaneeconomy”

Wayne Pacelle, the president of the Center For A Humane Economy and its sister organization, Animal Wellness Action, said:

“The honorees exemplify the compassion and commitment needed to drive real change for animals within California but also on the national stage. It is no exaggeration to say that millions of animals will be spared torment and cruelty because of their selfless dedication to the well-being of animals.”

Butler’s life radically changed more than six decades ago when he first became vegan. He’s teamed up with Peta, Peta2, and many other organizations since. Of his dedication, he had this to say:

“Well, I’ve always loved animals, and we always had animals in the house. We always had a dog around the house and various cats. I found a tortoise one day, so I had a tortoise. There was goldfish and all kinds of stuff in the house. And this one day… I never really liked eating meat, but my mom used to always put it on my plate; it was always, like, the last piece… She to feed seven kids and my dad, so I always got the smallest piece of meat. And this one day I cut it up and then blood came out of it. And I didn’t know what meat was. And I said to my mom, ‘There’s blood coming out of this thing that you’ve given me.’ ‘Yeah, it’s meat from a cow.’ And I went, ‘What? From an animal?’ And that was it. I was about eight years old at the time. And that was it. I’ve never eaten meat since.”