Pamela Anderson has long been a vocal advocate for animals, and she says that’s why she has to refuse to accept the ALS ice bucket challenge.
The actress says that too many experiments have been done on animals in the name of ALS research and that she can’t lend her name to the viral challenge, which has raised millions of dollars in recent weeks. In it, the person accepting the challenge dumps a bucket of ice water over their own head, donates around 10 dollars to the ALS site, then calls out three or more people to do the same. If they refuse to take the ice challenge, they are encouraged to donate at least $100.
“Sorry, I can’t bring myself to do your Ice bucket challenge. I enjoy a good dare, It’s always good to bring awareness – in fun, creative ways, I don’t want to take away from that. I thought instead, I’d challenge ALS to stop animal testing,” Anderson wrote on Facebook. “Recent experiments funded by the ALS Association, mice had holes drilled into their skulls, were inflicted with crippling illnesses, and were forced to run on an inclined treadmill until they collapsed from exhaustion. Monkeys had chemicals injected into their brains and backs and were later killed and dissected.”
Anderson made headlines earlier this month when she took to social media for support in ending the annual whale hunts that take place in the Faroe Islands, calling it a “brutal” practice.
“This is not for survival. There are very few things that happen like this, that are this brutal. We have to put this behind us and move on, and let the whales swim freely by. And I think it’s much more important for us in the future to save our oceans and the biodiversity of our oceans that the whales are very important to,” she said.
The former Baywatch actress is not alone in her feelings for the ALS challenge; Carey Hart took to Twitter to share his feelings on the viral sensation, calling it “creepy”.
“It’s extremely creepy and annoying how obsessed people are w/ this ice bucket challenge. The purposes is 2 raise money for an awful disease….If you are that into seeing people dump buckets of ice water over their heads, go find a wet t shirt contest. Time to find a hobby, people.”
If you are that into seeing people dump buckets of ice water over their heads, go find a wet t shirt contest. Time to find a hobby, people.
— Carey Hart (@hartluck) August 21, 2014
Hart later clarified what he meant, saying he wasn’t bashing the idea.
I think people have misunderstood what i was saying earlier. I have nothing against what #ALS is doing to raise money. I think its a very creative idea. Earlier today I was not in the position to do the ice bucket so i opted to donate. When i did that i got a ton of hate tweets about not doing the ice bucket part. And most of the people who were saying things were using the IBC as more of a contest and social piece. Not doing it for charity, awareness, or even promoting ALS. That is why i posted an annoyed comment about the fact that people were more interested in me dumping a bucket of water on my head rather than raising money for a horrible disease. I think it is a great and creative way to raise money but unfortunately, from what i have seen it has evolved into a pass along joke to some.