Hayden Panettiere @ Genesis Awards 2008

After making a quick appearance at the Kids’ Choice Awards, Hayden Panettiere was honored at the 2008 Genesis Awards on Saturday night in Beverly Hills. (The event was produced by The Hollywood Office of the Humane Society of the United States.)

The Genesis Awards honors the news and entertainment media for showcasing animal protection issues. Hayden was honored with The Wyler Award for drawing worldwide attention to the cruelty of Japan’s whale and dolphin slaughter. The award, given to a celebrity who has made news on behalf of animals, is named after Genesis Awards founder Gretchen Wyler, the former Broadway headliner and animal activist, who died last year.

Said Beverly Kaskey, Senior Director of The Hollywood Office of The Humane Society of the United States: “We feel Hayden is a very worthy successor to Sir Paul McCartney, last year’s Wyler Award recipient. She’s an inspiring example to her generation, using her compassion, courage and celebrity to help animals in a very effective way.”

Pictured below: Wayne Pacelle, President of the Humane Society of the United States.

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