Ahead of the launch of The Compassion Revolution, Katherine Heigl spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the aim of the initiative and the efforts of the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation to help curb the pet population crisis by pledging $1 million to spay and neuter programs in the city and county of Los Angeles.

At the Compassion Revolution press conference, she told attendees: "What's happening is not only inhumane and morally reprehensible, it's economically irresponsible. Killing is not a solution."

Each year 500,000 animals are sheltered and euthanized in California, costing the state $250 million. "Most people are unaware of what's happening," Heigl added. "We can start to change the existing paradigm."