Michel Klein, iconic TV veterinarian and fervent defender of the animal cause, passed away at the age of 103 this Saturday in Rueil-Malmaison (Hauts-de-Seine), his wife announced

Born in 1921 in north-west Romania, he was sent to France in the 1930s to study. A former Resistance fighter, he was one of the first vets to open a practice in Paris in the 50s, before becoming a media figure in the 60s.

A veterinary TV star
Michel Klein left his mark on several generations through programs dedicated to animal protection, such as *Je cherche un maître*, *Les Animaux du monde* and above all *30 millions d’amis*. For a decade, he also presented *Terre, attention danger* on TF1, alongside the famous host Dorothée. His voice and commitment made him one of the most recognized and beloved vets in the French public eye.

Dorothée, deeply affected by the death of her former collaborator, commented: “Michel will always remain in my heart. 103 is a magnificent age. He was surprised himself… His departure is a huge shock. He did so much for animals and animal protection. We made some wonderful shows together.

A total commitment to the animal cause
In addition to his television career, Michel Klein has been a major player in the field of animal protection. A long-time vice-president of the Société protectrice des animaux (SPA), he co-founded the Conseil national de la protection animale and, with the support of Jacques Chirac, worked to create the École des chiens guides pour aveugles et malvoyants de Paris.

He was also close to Brigitte Bardot, sharing her fight for animal welfare, and author of the book *Les Bêtes qui m’ont fait homme*, in which he recounts his career and his striking experiences with animals.

Producer Jean-Luc Azoulay, founder of AB Productions, which produced Dorothée’s shows, expressed his “great sadness” in paying tribute to “an extraordinary man, a great gentleman”, sending his thoughts to his family and wife.

Michel Klein leaves behind an immense legacy, not only as a veterinarian, but also as a pioneer in raising awareness of the animal cause on French television.