Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer

by Patricia Trostle

Tricia Helfer's "Be An Angel for Animals" Ad

She may play a beautiful but ruthless machine on TV's hottest show, Battlestar Galactica, but in real life, Tricia Helfer (a.k.a. "Six" to her legions of fans—myself included) has a heart of gold and a soft spot for animals, particularly cats. That's why she's starring in peta2's newest "Be an Angel for Animals" public service announcement (PSA) in behalf of our feline friends.

Tricia and the very handsome Mr. Nix appear beside the tagline "If you have to be human, at least be humane" in homage to the infamous Cylon character that has helped make Tricia a household name.

An animal lover, Tricia took part in this campaign because she wanted to help spread the word. "I really just thought that this campaign, 'Angels for Animals,' is something that I feel is a good message to get out there, that they are part of the family and you should treat them as part of the family," she says. So say we all!

Mr. Nix and the other felines that share Tricia's home definitely are treated like family, but not all cats are that fortunate. Every day, countless cats are victims of cruelty and neglect at the hands of the people they trust to take care of them. Many are allowed to roam outside unattended, where they fall prey to other animals, get hit by cars, or suffer at the hands of evil people who get their kicks by torturing animals.

Be your cats' angel! Clean cats' litterboxes daily, and give them plenty of clean water. Always spay or neuter, and never allow your cats outside without supervision. Be sure they have a cozy window seat for gazing outside, play with them, and give them lots of love and affection every day.

Tricia told us that all animal issues are important to her, especially animal testing, fur, ending the cruel seal hunt in her homeland of Canada, and caring for one's companion animals. Find out what Tricia does to keep her cats happy and what she says about season four of Battlestar Galactica in this behind-the-scenes footage from our photo shoot.

Tricia's doing her part to help animals—how about you? Millions of cats and dogs are killed in animal shelters every year because there simply aren't enough good homes for them. Please do your part to help end animal homelessness by refusing to buy animals from pet stores and breeders. And always spay and neuter your companion animals. Please click the button below and pledge to help end animal homelessness today.