10 December 2024
Liam Gallagher admitted adopting his beloved rescue dog Buttons was the "best decision", as he was bestowed with an award by animal rights charity PETA.
Liam Gallagher has won a PETA Award for adopting a dog from Thailand and helping to raise funds for a new animal hospital
The Oasis rocker, 52, was chosen as this year's recipient of the PETA Strike the Right Chord for Animals Award after he and partner Debbie Gwyther took in the street dog from Thailand.
As well as adopting the mutt – which he has posed with on social media – the Britpop legend raised money for the construction of a new animal hospital in Koh Samui, Thailand called Tina's Hospital.
The 'Supersonic' hitmaker has been presented with a framed certificate, which read: "PETA recognises and thanks Liam Gallagher for opening his home and heart to sweet homeless mutt Buttons, inspiring his legion of fans to consider adopting animals.
"When countless dogs are in shelters waiting for a loving home, such an action saves lives."
Liam said: "Thanks for the award. Rescuing Buttons has been the best decision we've ever made. She brings so much happiness to our lives and everyone she meets. We’re so lucky to have her; we're obsessed. I thoroughly recommend adopting a homeless dog."
PETA Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen commented: "Let there be love for this lovely pup and Liam, whose compassionate act for animals sets a wonderful example for his legions of fans. PETA is delighted to recognise him for opening his heart and home to a dog who desperately needed a loving family, and PETA urges everyone to follow suit and adopt, never shop."
Dog rescuer Niall Harbison thought it was a prank when he saw Liam's name on the adoption papers for Buttons, who was just a puppy when she was taken to the Happy Doggo sanctuary.
He told Sky News: "The name on the form was Liam Gallagher, but I thought that’s obviously not him, then the next line was occupation, and it was 'singer'. I thought my mates were taking the p***. But I checked it out a bit more and his details all stacked up.
"I did interviews with him and his lovely [partner], they have cats and they just really wanted a dog, they've been following me on social media and wanted Buttons."