Brigitte Bardot Dies at 91, Remembered for Andorra Dog Shelter Campaign

French cinema icon and animal rights campaigner Brigitte Bardot, who died on Sunday aged 91, once intervened to highlight severe problems at Andorra's dog shelter.

At the turn of the century, Bardot lent her international profile to local efforts addressing overcrowding and poor conditions at the facility in La Comella. Andorrans aware of her animal welfare advocacy approached her for support, and she signed at least one letter that formed part of a dossier criticising the Andorran administration's handling of the shelter. The campaign contributed to change: authorities began backing newly founded groups like Laika and eventually relocated the facility to improve conditions.

By then, Bardot had long shifted from her stardom in 1950s and 1960s films—classics such as *And God Created Woman* (1956), *The Truth* (1960) and *Contempt* (1963)—to full-time activism. She retired from acting before turning 40, though her brief music career extended her public presence. She provided sultry vocals for the 1967 single *Je t'aime... moi non plus*, originally recorded with former partner Serge Gainsbourg, its provocative moans still captivating listeners today.

From 1970 onward, Bardot focused on animal causes, including a high-profile protest against Canadian seal hunting. She frequently championed dogs, aligning with her involvement in Andorra.

Bardot remained active in animal rights until her final days, though her later years drew criticism for outspoken support of far-right figures like Jean-Marie Le Pen and his daughter Marine, admiration for Vladimir Putin, and controversial statements deemed racist, Islamophobic, homophobic and anti-feminist.

No record exists of her commenting further on Andorra after the shelter improvements materialised.