Travis Barker promotes shelter pet adoption and meat-free lifestyle in Humane World For Animals PSA

Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker stars in a new public service announcement for Humane World For Animals (formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States) as part of the organization’s Small Steps For Good campaign.

“I haven’t eaten meat since I was 13 and I’ve been a vegetarian since then,” Barker, 50, tells Billboard about his longtime meat-free lifestyle. “I didn’t like the taste at the time and then I figured out where hot dogs and ham and steak came from and there’s not a chance … ‘nope, can’t do that!’ I’ve always loved animals and I never liked the taste of meat.”

Barker states that he teamed up with Humane World For Animals because he feels a kinship with their mission. The campaign goals align with choices he already makes, such as adopting pets from local animal shelters, avoiding real fur, and using cruelty-free products from his vegan wellness company, Barker Wellness.

Barker notes that some of his favorite designers create vegan versions of their clothes or sneakers for him, and his next collaboration with Vans is planned as an all-vegan shoe. “All my clothes are vegan-friendly,” says Barker, who describes his daily wardrobe as Dickies pants, all-vegan Vans, and a T-shirt.

He also invests in plant-based dining, including L.A.’s Crossroads Kitchen after chef Tal Ronnen pitched the idea at a Bad Brains show. “The other day I was at Jay Leno’s garage and we drove some cars and when I left with my 84-year-old dad I said, ‘let’s eat at this spot,’ and I could tell he wasn’t thrilled,” he said regarding his choice of Lotus Vegan, a restaurant he frequented on his bike when he lived in North Hollywood.

“And then during our meal, I said, ‘dad, I eat at these places because they’re all vegan and they need the support to stay open for business another month,’” says Barker, who became vegan following the 2008 plane crash that claimed the lives of two of his best friends and the plane’s two pilots. “Rather than eating at a restaurant that has vegan options, I like to eat at an actual mom-and-pop, struggling vegan restaurant doing their thing.”

The 30-second PSA begins with Barker wearing a cream-colored turtleneck sweater, glasses, and jeans, saying, “Being good? I always thought that was boring,” before removing his shirt to reveal his tattooed torso. “But f– that. Good is never boring!” he says as the music shifts to a punk rock beat.

Putting on a blue jacket, Barker adds, “Faux fur is way cooler than real fur. Plant based in plant based!,” while eating a bowl of beans. “I always support people doing good in the world … just do good. That’s the move.”

“Creating a better world for animals takes bold systemic change, and it starts with the small choices people make every day,” says Humane World for Animals president and CEO Kitty Block in a statement. “That’s the idea behind our Small Steps for Good campaign: Showing that everyone has the power to make a difference for animals. Travis has inspired people for years by using his voice and platform to advocate for animals in a way that is authentic to who he is. We hope this campaign encourages others to discover their own small steps and see how those actions can add up to meaningful change.”

Regarding his family, Barker states that he does not judge anyone for their choices, noting that his friend Joe Rogan is a meat-eating hunter. However, he shares that his daughter Alabama has been a vegetarian her whole life and his other children eat vegan when dining out with him, including his two-year-old son, Rocky Thirteen.

Barker summarizes the campaign message: “Be nice to animals. It’s not that hard and it won’t cause too much of an identity crisis for anyone.”

Check out Barker’s PSA below.