Written by Michelle Sherrow
Courtesy of Lelah Foster
Having a celebrity as the face of an animal rights campaign has helped PETA achieve huge victories. For instance, vocal protests by Sir Paul McCartney and Alicia Silverstone helped convince NASA not to blast squirrel monkeys with harmful doses of radiation. Celebrities such as Olivia Munn and Sarah Silverman have helped publicize Ringling Bros.' cruelty to animals, which recently resulted in the largest U.S. Department of Agriculture fine in circus history. And with the help of Lea Michele, the suffering of horses in New York City's carriage trade is garnering attention.
Michelle Cho, the senior manager of communications, dishes about what it's like behind the scenes of some of PETA's most visible work:
What is one of the most exciting things happening right now with PETA's work with celebrities?So many professional athletes are enthusiastic about getting involved. Tony Gonzalez, Chad Ochocinco, Chase Utley, Gilbert Arenas, Amar'e Stoudemire, Willis McGahee, Lance Briggs, Chris Andersen, and many others are allowing us to reach legions of sports fans about animal issues.
What is one of your favorite celebrity stories?When I first met Steve-O six years ago, I was interviewing him about elephant abuse that he had witnessed as a student at Ringling's clown college. I recall him saying that he didn't think vegetarianism was possible for him. Then began the phone calls inquiring about feathers, leather, wool, and even animal products in chewing gum! And just two years later, he had an "aha moment" in which he decided that he didn't want to contribute to the unnecessary suffering of animals and went vegan. He is one of the most inspirational people I've ever known, and I'm so proud to call him a dear friend.
Is Hollywood more animal-friendly than it used to be?Definitely. Thanks to the Internet, we disseminate a lot more information, and it's reaching powerful people. Major ad agencies are pledging never to use great apes, filmmakers are using computer-generated imagery rather than using live animals, and TV shows and movies are including animal rights–related storylines. The support of so many influential people in show business can only pay bigger dividends for animals in the future.
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Written by PETA
A poll in Sports Illustrated named Chase Utley one of the "meanest" players in baseball, but we don't buy it. That's because Chase doesn't buy animals—he always adopts, and he asks his fans to do the same.
The MLB all-star might be a fierce competitor, but off the field, he's a fierce defender of animals—in addition to posing for a PETA ad, he has also volunteered with the Pennsylvania SPCA, and even started his own charity, Utley All-Star Animals.
We have a feeling that Chase's tough-guy rep would quickly turn to mush if his fellow ballplayers were to stop by his next Utley All-Star Animals fundraiser. Regardless, we're betting it's his rescued buddy, Jack's opinion that matters most.
This coming Sunday, July 31, has been dubbed "Mutts Day," and I can say from personal experience that nothing beats an adorable one-of-a-kind mutt. When you adopt a homeless mutt from a shelter, you not only gain a best buddy, you also save a life. But don't just take it from me—take it from these famous shelter-dog fans:
Of course, mutts aren't the only ones who are abandoned at shelters—it's estimated that a quarter of shelter dogs are purebreds who were dropped off after being purchased from a pet shop, puppy mill, or breeder. No matter what kind of dog you're looking for, you can find one at a shelter.
Maybe you can't buy love, but you can certainly adopt it.
Dad's big day is almost here. Dads deserve nothing but the best, of course, and that includes animal dads who don't want to be tested on, eaten, or turned into shoes and belts. So we've rounded up the preeminent picks to please Pops and let animals celebrate Father's Day too.
For a dad who's more Hilfiger than Home Depot, opt for elegant silk-free ties by Jaan J; leather-free belts, wallets, and shoes from MooShoes; or an always-in-fashion PETA tee. To get his day off to a smooth start, give him a Wally Cruelty-Free Razor and shaving products from Herban Cowboy.
Does Dad like a good book? Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals is about how becoming a dad led the author to reexamine his diet. And Rip Esselstyn's The Engine 2 Diet is the quintessential manly man's healthy-eating guide. You can also give Dad a ceramic PETA mug to sip java from while he's kicked back in his recliner with his Kindle.
If your dad's a weekend warrior, he might be happier with cards or autographed photos of animal-friendly athletes such as Chase Utley, Ron Artest, and Ricky Williams. Get him ready for Little League season with a PETA “Free for All” SIGG water bottle and tasty snacks like Tofurky Jurky, Lucy's Cookies, and popcorn and dark chocolate from Trader Joe's to tote to the game.
And what Father's Day is complete without a cookout? Grill out with a selection of Gardein faux meats like BBQ Skewers or Chick'n Filets. You can find Gardein products across the country at grocers such as Ralphs, Vons/Safeway, Kroger, and Harris Teeter. Most beers are vegan, so to wash it all down, raise a glass to Dad.
Happy Father's Day from PETA!
After missing the first part of the season with the Phillies because of a knee injury, Chase Utley has recovered and is ready to knock a few out of the park. But he's already hit a grand slam for homeless dogs and cats by encouraging fans to be all-stars for animals by always adopting and never buying.
When Chase Utley isn't knocking balls out of the park, he's trying to knock out animal overpopulation. The MLB all-star posed for a new "Adopt, Don't Buy" ad with his rescued dog Jack, who was born in an animal shelter to canine parents confiscated from a dogfighting ring. Chase unveiled the ad today at the Seger Dog Park in Philadelphia to a crowd of two-legged and four-legged fans.
The homeless-animal crisis is a cause very close to Chase and his wife, Jennifer's hearts. They are both active with the Pennsylvania SPCA, and they started an annual event to raise money and awareness called Utley All-Star Animals. Check out our feature on Chase to watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of him talking about his love for animals, and then enter to win an autographed Philadelphia Phillies jersey! And, of course, join Chase in hitting a homerun for the 4 to 6 million animals who face euthanasia every year by always adopting, never buying.
My husband, Tim, thinks that I'm rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies to win the World Series because he's a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan (i.e., Yankee hater). It's fine with me if I get extra points for rooting "against" the Yankees, but I'm really rooting for the Phillies because of second baseman Chase Utley.
Chase and his wife, Jen, are huge advocates for animals. They've participated in "Save a Pet at the Park," and they organized the Utley's All-Star Animals fundraisers, which raised more than $200,000 for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Even if the Phillies don't win this year's World Series, Chase Utley has already proven he's top dog when it comes to caring about companion animals.
Written by Karin Bennett
If you have a general question for PETA and would like a response, please e-mail Info@peta.org. If you need to report cruelty to an animal, please click here. If you are reporting an animal in imminent danger and know where to find the animal and if the abuse is taking place right now, please call your local police department. If the police are unresponsive, please call PETA immediately at 757-622-7382 and press 2.
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