"Animal Welfare continues to be a major topic with 26 proposals already filed. For the fourth year in a row, the animal rights group PETA has filed more than 20 proposals making it the most active grassroots group involved in shareholder activism." —As You Sow, "Proxy Season Preview 2008"
In our unending quest to find new and innovative ways to help animals, PETA now owns stock in more than 80 top meat producers, clothing retailers, fast food and grocery chains, and pharmaceutical companies. We've obtained the stocks either through donations from members or the direct purchase of shares. As a shareholder in these companies, PETA has the right to submit shareholder resolutions urging the companies to improve conditions for the animals they raise, kill, or use in other ways.
PETA's resolutions (and the statements that we read in support of our resolutions at the companies' annual meetings) use graphic language to show other shareholders how the companies in which they invest abuse animals—and they are always accompanied by equally damning news releases. As a result, many companies often prefer to negotiate with PETA to get us to withdraw the resolution or forgo the annual meeting. Using this tactic, PETA has won major concessions in behalf of animals from companies such as Burger King, Carl's Jr., Hardee's, McDonald's, and Denny's. And when we aren't able to negotiate the withdrawal of a resolution, our efforts have still helped animals by using media coverage to shed light on how animals are abused behind the closed doors of these industries.
The Future of Shareholder Resolutions
In 2008, As You Sow—a group that reviews shareholder activism issues—noted that PETA submitted more shareholder resolutions than any other nongovernmental organization, regardless of the issue, for the fourth year in a row.
Animals need you to invest in their future. Read more about PETA's ongoing shareholder resolution campaign, or you can help sponsor a shareholder resolution.