Written by PETA
In honor of Father's Day, here are some fathers who are friends to the furry, feathered, and finned. We had way too many great dads like Kevin Nealon, Bryan Adams, Woody Harrelson, Iggy Pop, and Chad Ochocinco to choose from, so here are just a few of the fellas who make us glad for awesome dads:
Written by Michelle Sherrow
If you're a New Yorker, you've definitely heard about the fare hikes and service cuts that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) just approved in their 2009 budget. You may have also heard about the man arrested for attempting to mimic the Bush shoe-throwing incident with MTA chief Elliot Sander as a target. People aren't happy about the changes, and that's why PETA is ready to step in and offer our services—no shoes necessary! We propose that the MTA begin advertising over the loudspeakers between subway stops, and we'll even be the first customers. PETA's ads would feature the voices of pro-vegetarian advocates Casey Affleck, Kevin Nealon, and Forrest Whitaker.
Listen to the three PSA's now:
Forest WhitakerCasey AffleckKevin Nealon
Casey Affleck's testimonial on why he's a vegetarian would be the perfect way to increase revenue for the MTA! I know I'd like to hear the voice of a sexy vegetarian like Casey on my morning commute. And hey, it might even encourage them to do something about the speaker quality while they're at it. Can anyone actually understand what they're saying?
Side note: Research shows that vegetarians actually have stronger immune systems than meat eaters, which is always a plus when you're smushed into a little subway car with a hundred coughing strangers. Hopefully, the MTA will consider our offer, for the sake of animals, commuters, and the $2 MetroCard.
Written by Lianne Turner
Our awesome friends over at PETA Europe have some exciting news! With their help and funding, new skin irritation tests that do not use animals have been successfully validated to replace the use of rabbits completely! This will save thousands of rabbits.
This wonderful news means that animals will not be used in the overwhelming majority of such tests in the future in Europe. The MatTek Corporation announced yesterday that the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods' Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) has formally endorsed the scientific validity of the company's Modified EpiDerm Skin Irritation Test as well as L'Oreal's SkinEthic test. I know those are an awful lot of big, impressive words, but it basically means that the big men and women on campus are totally down with these new processes, which do not involve animal testing.
This will allow manufacturers worldwide to use these exciting new non-animal methods. It will also help manufacturers test cosmetic ingredients humanely, which is especially important because animal testing for skin irritation and most other purposes will be banned in Europe as of March 2009. Tens of thousands of rabbits have been used for skin irritation tests each year in the past, but we say, "No more!"
The validation of these tests is an important step in adopting cruelty-free scientific methods that are effective and humane, and PETA Europe should be so proud to have played a part in that. You can read more about this whole situation here.
On another totally not surprising—but totally awful—note, the U.S. still does not accept these tests. We are, of course, writing the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Daschle, to tell him to get the U.S. to stop stalling!
Written by Christine Doré
Any other Project Runway fans out there? Yep, that's what I thought! I am just dying for them to announce the date for the new season. I mean, yeah, the clothes are awesome and the drama is entertaining, but I'll admit that the real reason I tune in is to see the true genius behind the show: Tim Gunn. Know what his next project is? Convincing Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani to forgo fur! Yes, that's right. America's best-known arbiter of good taste and style has just narrated PETA's new exposé of fur farms—including just-obtained footage of rabbit fur farms in China, where Karan and Armani both source their pelts. Check out the video here:
Because the designers have refused to meet with PETA to view the footage, Gunn has just sent it to them with a personal plea. Why is the fur flying over Chinese pelts in particular? The world's largest exporter of fur is now China—where foxes, rabbits, and cats and dogs are often skinned alive.
"Any designer in the fashion industry who does not want to watch the PETA video and see exactly what happens to animals and how they're treated and how the product that they use comes to the marketplace I believe is egregiously irresponsible," says Tim. "It is critically important that we all be educated about these matters and then make choices."
And it gets better: Tim also sat down with us for an exclusive Q&A!
There. I told you he's a genius! If anyone can make Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani "make it work" without using the skins of dead animals in their collections, he can. Carry on! (I just wanted to say that …)
We recently reported that Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife bought a dog from a breeder instead of adopting one from an animal shelter. Fortunately, the moaning was loud enough for the Bidens to get the message, and our VP-elect says that he's getting a second dog, this one from an animal shelter.
PETA is sending Biden and his pups praise and presents in honor of this good news. We're delivering a basket containing soy pig ears; spay certificates, including free transportation to PETA's own mobile spay-and-neuter clinic; plastic popsicle pull toys; coupons that he can give the pup that are good for tummy rubs and long walks; and maybe even doggie beer. PETA is also promising to send a $500 gift bag of supplies and treats to the animal shelter that helps the Bidens save a homeless pooch.
PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk said the following about this good news: "Thanks go out to VP-elect Biden for raising the issue of the companion animal overpopulation crisis in this country, which is as bleak as our economy. Animal homelessness also requires urgent attention by cutting animal breeders off at the pass and bailing out animal shelters."
Written by Joel Bartlett
"So, PETA," you might be asking as the end of the year quickly approaches, "what exactly did y'all do this year? Anything interesting?"
We're glad you asked, as it just so happens that we've put together this video, which just so happens to highlight some of the sweet PETA goings-on from 2008. Watch it and tell us what you think:
"But oh, dear PETA Files," you might be saying, "I wish I could read more about all the cool stuff I saw in that video." Well, friends, you have come to the right place!
We at the PETA Files are more than happy to tell you all about how we took to the streets as M&Ms, Trollsens, and naked ladies in the shower. We love telling you about PETA celeb friends, from rather-go-naked Eva, Amanda, and Jenna, to vegetarians Shanna, Mac, and John. Oh, and of course we know everything about doggie- and kitty-loving Fred, Carrie Ann, and Simon as well as horse-defending Kristen, Pink, and Alec. Ya know, not to name-drop or anything.
And don't worry—we can also tell you all about victories such as the new animal welfare policies for KFC suppliers in Canada, the spay-and-neuter ordinance in Los Angeles, Zappos.com's promise to go fur-free, the E.U.'s ban on seal fur, and the new regulations for horseracing—not to mention our investigations at a Hormel supplier and Aviagen.
Of course, if you'd rather see more pictures, you can also check out our awesome end-of-year slideshow.
This has been quite the year, wouldn't you say? What was your favorite PETA moment from 2008?
Written by Amanda Schinke
I'm pleased to announce that I have a surprise for my family—but first, listen to this: Following our appeal to them, the nationwide chain Dollar Tree has agreed to stop selling glue traps! This decision will spare untold numbers of mice, birds, squirrels, and even house hamsters and other small animals from slow deaths by starvation and dehydration.
Why am I personally so extremely excited? Well, of course, there's the fact that taking glue traps off the shelves will prevent huge amounts of suffering, because animals who become trapped in them often tear off patches of skin or fur in their frantic efforts to escape. Sometimes they even try to chew off their own limbs.
However, this also means that I will now have the perfect place to grab my last-minute stocking-stuffers this year (circa December 23 or 24, which is when I typically start shopping).
I hope my giftees will be as delighted as you all must be. But don't forget that we still need your help to get Lowe's to stop selling glue traps too. Click here to take action.
Written by Sean Conner
Marley & Me is coming out soon, and—even though it is decidedly mutt-free—we are nuts about this film's message.
OK, in case you don't know, Marley is based on the bestselling book by John Grogan and stars Owen Wilson as Grogan and Jennifer Aniston as his wife, Jenny. When they adopt Marley, an adorable but rambunctious (and growing) puppy, all heck breaks loose.
Now, anyone who has raised a puppy knows that it can be, uh, challenging (can I get an amen?), but Marley is in the big leagues—knocking over tables, shredding furniture, eating … well, I won't give too much away. But the cool—and right—thing is that John and Jenny deal with all the frustrations and stick to their commitment to Marley by providing lots of walks, playtime, and more.
And here's one of the best things about this: Grogan and the director as well as Fox 2000, the studio that is distributing the film, proved that Hollywood has a heart. More than a year ago, our L.A. office wrote to the folks at Fox 2000 asking if they'd tweak the story so that Marley was rescued from a rescue group or shelter instead of being bought from a breeder—and guess what? Yep, they did it! So, hopefully, anyone inspired to add a four-legged friend to the family will become part of the solution, instead of part of the problem, and will understand that life with a puppy comes with difficulties as well as delights. (These tips might help if you're living with a Marley of your own.)
So, let's see. Adorable stars of various species? Comic mishaps and tugged heartstrings? A story about love, understanding, and family bonding, just in time for the holidays, plus a great message about saving dogs and staying committed to them for their lives? I'm so there!
Written by Jeff Mackey
This is an awesome year for many reasons (have you seen our slideshow?), and a great one has to be today's victory over cruel animal tests! Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed with PETA and ruled that no further animal testing is needed to declare that a natural plant-based sweetener derived from stevia is safe for use in food and drinks. Why is that so great? Well, before today's decision, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) was pushing for more animal tests on the herbal extract, even though it's been widely recognized as safe. I mean, stevia has been used safely for more than 400 years! It's bad enough that it was tested on helpless rats in the first place, but they wanted to test it on even more animals? Come on!
Everyone knows how animals in laboratories suffer, so why would anyone knowingly choose to inflict pain on another creature for the sake of unreliable and cruel animal testing, especially when there are so many cruelty-free alternatives? CSPI tried to say that they needed to test on rats and mice because the rats they used before weren't good models for the substance's toxicity in humans. Hang on, what? That's right, they know that the tests on rats don't work, but they want to repeat the tests on rats and do even more tests on mice. Anyway, the FDA finally did something right and approved the substance without the additional animal tests. Score!
Unfortunately, there is still animal testing going on, and the CSPI is still pushing for more and longer animal tests. You can help by sending a polite letter to CSPI executive director Michael Jacobson asking him to focus CSPI's work on safe and effective non-animal testing methods.
Whether he's playing snarky talent agent Ari on Entourage or starring in blockbusters like Rock 'n Rolla and Smokin' Aces, we think Emmy Award–winning actor Jeremy Piven is fantastic … but something tells me that sea kittens might have another opinion.
Piven had to cut his Broadway performance short recently when doctors advised him to stay off the stage because of his body's high level of mercury. Could it be sea kitten–related? Not sure, but whatever it is, sounds to me like Jeremy needs a little advice.
So, we're going to send him a little vegetarian-friendly care package. After all, in Norfolk, we know whereof we speak: We even have a local restaurant that serves faux fish tacos! They have all the taste with none of the fin or heavy metals. Plus, sea kittens feel pain just as much as dogs, cats, and I do, thanks to our similar central nervous systems.
Mercury poisoning, which is linked to the consumption of sea kittens, can cause severe health problems for humans, including brain damage, memory loss, personality change, and tremors. Now, I like Ari just the way he is—so please Jer, ditch the fish!
We've got some fantastic faux-fish recipes so everyone can get in on the act.
So here's hoping Jeremy does what's right … for his health, for the environment, and for all the sea kittens of the world.
Follow PETA on Twitter!
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.