Animal rights and animal care are big issues for a number of cartoonists. With pets as their main characters, some cartoonists have a sensitive outlook on the lives of animals. Their great desire is to spare them from pain, hunger and loneliness. Jenny Campbell, co-creator with John Gibel of Flo and Friends, uses her skills to help the Geauga Humane Society in Cleveland, Ohio. She began her effort by donating her time as a dog walker. She continues to help the Society by applying her artistic talents for the cause. Jenny said, "My drawings are everywhere now, from the big sign in front of the building to the T-shirts and hats we sell at events."
The creator of Bloom County and his inimitable characters Opus and Bill, Berkeley Breathed and his wife, photographer Jody Boyton, are strong advocates of PETA and the drive to protect animals from abuse. They are also part of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a group trying to save the whales and other sea creatures from imminent disaster. While pregnant herself, Jody protested the cruel use of stalls to contain pregnant mares for months at a time, to gather urine used in the production of the menopausal drug Premarin.
Not in My Backyard cartoonist Dale Taylor makes use of his main character Wyman the Weiner Dog to help the Virginia Dachshund Picnic. His adorable Dachshund designs are featured on t-shirts used for fundraising for the annual event.
Taking on the issues of breast cancer, Funky Winkerbean creator Tom Batiuk researched cancer topics for four years before bringing Lisa's Story into the comic strip. The storyline followed the character through finding a lump in her breast, diagnosis, treatment and recovery, receiving both praise and criticism for Batiuk's depiction of circumstances. Also, Batiuk has received awards for his Funky Winkerbean contributions to promote education, music and art.
The late, great Charles Schulz, the artist behind the magic of Peanuts, was a philanthropist of high order, donating millions of dollars to charity. As a gesture to his home town of Santa Rosa, Schulz built an ice arena in 1969 to serve the area. Dubbed "Snoopy's Home Ice," the Redwood Ice Arena hosts a large number of events including annual figure skating championships, hockey tournaments and concerts. The arena can be converted in a matter of hours into a 3,000-seat concert theatre.
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