Laura Guttridge Laura Guttridge Studied at UCFStudied at UCF

Laura Guttridge studied philosophy at The Laura Guttridge studied philosophy at The University of Central Florida. UCF was University of Central Florida. UCF was established in 1963, and this university has established in 1963, and this university has awarded more than 200,000 degrees to awarded more than 200,000 degrees to alumni from across the globe. She received alumni from across the globe. She received her bachelor’s degree from UCF's prestigious her bachelor’s degree from UCF's prestigious department of philosophy. department of philosophy.

Laura has written numerous essays regarding Laura has written numerous essays regarding the philosophy of animal right's, and her work the philosophy of animal right's, and her work as a student is published in the university as a student is published in the university library.She recently authored a book titled library.She recently authored a book titled Gypsy the Christmas Cat, a book that teaches Gypsy the Christmas Cat, a book that teaches it's young readers to have respect for animals. it's young readers to have respect for animals. She is a former swimsuit model, appearing on She is a former swimsuit model, appearing on dozens of calendars, magazines, and posters, dozens of calendars, magazines, and posters, and a well-known animal activist. and a well-known animal activist.

Being a vegetarian herself, she promotes Being a vegetarian herself, she promotes eating a plant-based diet. Eating a plant based eating a plant-based diet. Eating a plant based diet not only makes us healthier, but it also diet not only makes us healthier, but it also saves the animals and the environment. For saves the animals and the environment. For her selfless efforts, she received The 2007 her selfless efforts, she received The 2007 Humanitarian of The Year Award. Laura Humanitarian of The Year Award. Laura Guttridge was also the past president and Guttridge was also the past president and co/founder of Marion County Voices for co/founder of Marion County Voices for Animals.Animals.

This was a small grass-roots animal right's This was a small grass-roots animal right's organization located in Central Florida.In the organization located in Central Florida.In the early 1990's MCVA was instrumental in early 1990's MCVA was instrumental in convincing The Marion County Animal Shelter convincing The Marion County Animal Shelter to stop using the cruel and out dated to stop using the cruel and out dated decompression chamber to kill unwanted stray decompression chamber to kill unwanted stray animals, and switch to the more humane animals, and switch to the more humane lethal injection.lethal injection.

In 2002 Laura was a top signature gatherer In 2002 Laura was a top signature gatherer collecting over 5,000 signatures for a ballot collecting over 5,000 signatures for a ballot initiative that banned the cruel confinement of initiative that banned the cruel confinement of pigs on factory farms in Florida.In 2007 Laura pigs on factory farms in Florida.In 2007 Laura was given The Humanitarian of The Year was given The Humanitarian of The Year Award from The Humane Society of Vero Award from The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.In 2010 and Beach and Indian River County.In 2010 and 2011 Laura chaired a fundraising Event for 2011 Laura chaired a fundraising Event for Save The Chimps Sanctuary. Save The Chimps Sanctuary.

These events raised thousands of dollars for These events raised thousands of dollars for the sanctuary. Save The Chimps is the world's the sanctuary. Save The Chimps is the world's largest sanctuary for the lifelong care of largest sanctuary for the lifelong care of chimpanzees rescued from research chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, entertainment, and the pet trade. laboratories, entertainment, and the pet trade. Founded in 1997, the 150-acre non-profit Founded in 1997, the 150-acre non-profit sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Florida is home to sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Florida is home to nearly 300 chimpanzees.nearly 300 chimpanzees.

About Laura GuttridgeAbout Laura Guttridge

Laura Guttridge is an animal activist, a former Laura Guttridge is an animal activist, a former successful swimsuit model and an author. She successful swimsuit model and an author. She is highly educated with a graduation in is highly educated with a graduation in Bachelor’s of Philosophy from The University Bachelor’s of Philosophy from The University of Central Florida. She is also the author of the of Central Florida. She is also the author of the children’s book Gypsy the Christmas Cat which children’s book Gypsy the Christmas Cat which teaches children about trust, compassion and teaches children about trust, compassion and respect for animals. respect for animals.

The book is based on a real life cat named The book is based on a real life cat named Gypsy. She has received many awards for Gypsy. She has received many awards for protecting animals such as 2007 Humanitarian protecting animals such as 2007 Humanitarian Of The Year Award from The Humane Society Of The Year Award from The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. She is of Vero Beach and Indian River County. She is on the Board of Directors for The Animal on the Board of Directors for The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida and she also Rights Foundation of Florida and she also established Marion County Voices for Animals. established Marion County Voices for Animals.

Thank YouThank You