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Post by ♥~Mel Diffy~♥ on Sept 30, 2005 15:52:48 GMT -5
Anyone with a TV knows that Phil Diffy, from the hit series Phil of the Future, is a boy who’s ahead of his time.
Phil and his futuristic family get stuck in the present, thanks to a malfunctioning time machine. When we caught up with Ricky Ullman to talk animal rights, we discovered that Phil’s real-life counterpart is pretty forward-thinking, too!
If you’ve picked up any of the latest celeb mags, you’ve seen something about Disney Channel’s hottest new star, Ricky Ullman. The talented young actor is on everyone’s mind, and that makes us super happy because not only is he easy on the eyes, he’s also a pretty cool guy with a soft spot for animals. The Phil of the Future star was nice enough to take time out of his busy filming schedule and play rehearsals to chat with PETA Kids about animal rights.
PETA Kids: What issue involving animals is most important to you?
Ricky Ullman: Animal testing is something that I find very wrong …. Simply put, if [something] may be unsafe for humans, there is no reason that we should test it with other living animals.
PK: Do you have any companion animals? If so, how did they become part of your family?
RU: Since I was 5, I’ve had a dog named Zoe. She’s a mutt—black lab and something else. She was a rescue dog and instantly became a part of our family. This was 14 years ago, but I remember bringing her home from the shelter. She sat on my lap on the ride home J. I remember she used to play with us kids in the backyard—in the sandbox, playing tag. She would actually push us around in this red wagon with her front paws!
PK: Have you ever witnessed animal abuse either firsthand or on video that you wanted stopped?
RU: Unfortunately, I remember having a neighbor that was very mean to his dog. We would hear them from our house, and it terrified me. My mom called the animal rights “police” and reported him. After that, I don’t think it happened again—thank goodness.
PK: Should kids have the right to refuse to dissect animals?
RU: I think it is important for students to learn as much as possible; however, there is a line that is sometimes crossed. I believe that students should have the right to choose whether or not they want to dissect animals and to not be ridiculed for it.
PK: What would you tell your fans about getting active for animals?
RU: Cruelty to animals is much more prominent in our world than many of us think. … nimals in our very own country are being abused, hurt, and killed. But it can be stopped by taking action. You can write letters, talk to people, and lead by example. By showing people that you care, others will start to care with you.
PK: What’s next for you?
RU: I’m doing a play out here in L.A. at the Ahmanson Theatre in September, which I am really excited for! I love theater. And no animals will be harmed in the making of this show.
See, we told you he was cool. Now don’t forget that you can catch Ricky on a new episode of Phil of the Future on the Disney Channel every week, so be sure to set your Tivo in case you won’t be home—you don’t want to miss a second of the new season![/b]
