Barker donates $1M for Drury animal rights program

Barker, who is known for his animal rights efforts, has done the same at seven law schools across the country.

The initial course at Drury called “Animal Ethics” will begin in spring 2010 and will educate students on issues that affect animals. It will be team-taught by professors with expertise in biology, law, sustainability, psychology, criminology, philosophy, religion and anthropology.

Barker traditionally signed off episodes of “The Price is Right” by saying, “Help control the pet population; have your pets spayed or neutered,” and his DJ&T Foundation gives financial assistance to people and groups who spay and neuter dogs and cats. He also resigned as host of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants in 1988 when producers refused to remove fur coats from the prize packages.

Barker revisited the Drury campus less than a year ago when he gave the commencement address at the school’s spring 2007 graduation and received an honorary doctorate.