Morrissey was named PETA's 2011 'Person of the Year' in 2011. According to reports, Morrissey recently wrote a letter to PETA's founder Ingrid Newkirk expressing his gratitude:
"I am honoured beyond words to be named as PETA's Person of the Year! Higher praise is hard to come by! I make no sensational claims for myself... I simply say 'No' to any form of animal suffering, and to the execution of innocent beings. PETA remains indefatigable and visionary, and together we have the executioners on the run."