PETA Pays Tribute To OZZY OSBOURNE: "We Will Remember The PRINCE OF DARKNESS Most Fondly For The Gentle Side He Showed To Animals"

Ozzy Osbourne may be best known for biting the head off a bat on stage, fronting Black Sabbath, and helping pioneer heavy metal’s most rebellious era. But beneath the theatrics and thunderous riffs, the Prince of Darkness also made a lasting mark in the world of animal rights. Over the years, Osbourne has teamed up with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) on multiple occasions, using his global platform to raise awareness and advocate for the humane treatment of animals.

PETA has now paid tribute to Osbourne and his work with animal advocacy, saying: "Ozzy Osbourne was a legend and a provocateur, but PETA will remember the Prince of Darkness most fondly for the gentle side he showed to animals — most recently cats, by using his fame to decry painful, crippling declawing mutilations. Ozzy may have been the singer, but his wife, Sharon, and his daughter, Kelly, were of one voice when it meant protecting animals. Ozzy will be missed by animal advocates the world over."

One of Ozzy's most widely recognized collaborations with PETA came in the early 2010s, when he took part in the organization's campaign against the cruel treatment of animals in the fur industry. Appearing in a striking advertisement, Osbourne posed with the message "Fur Is Dead," emphasizing the brutal realities behind fur production.

That moment marked a turning point in how many fans and critics perceived Osbourne – not just as a shock rocker, but as someone willing to evolve and lend his voice to serious causes. His participation in the campaign helped PETA reach a broader, more diverse audience, especially among rock and metal fans who may not have previously connected with animal rights messaging.

Osbourne's advocacy didn't stop with fur. In other interviews and features with PETA, he and Sharon spoke out about adopting pets rather than buying them from breeders or pet stores.

Though Ozzy's wild persona might seem at odds with animal activism to the public, his relationship with PETA is a testament to the multifaceted nature of his legacy. For someone whose early career was clouded with controversy – including that infamous bat incident – his later years showed a surprising compassion for creatures both large and small.