The outing was organized by Joseph Pace, author of the upcoming book Changing the World, One Bite at a Time. He gave a presentation to the students about how eating meat hurts animals, human health, and the environment. The students met the pigs and chickens on the farm—and became very upset when they realized that the animals would soon be killed at the slaughterhouse. The owner of the farm, Mary Hopkins, was very moved by Pace’s presentation and the students’ pleas to send the animals to sanctuaries. She agreed not to send the animals to slaughter—but the students would have to help find the animals new homes.

Jason Samilski, founder and director of a pro-veggie student program called EAT THIS!, organized efforts to raise money and make arrangements for transporting the animals to sanctuaries. The student activists phoned and e-mailed donors, raising more than $1,000 to help cover some of the expenses. PETA and the Canadian-based Animal Alliance jumped in to help move the rescued animals to their new homes.

In all, the students saved 231 chickens, 10 rabbits, and four pigs—and their efforts had a lasting impact on the farmer. She decided that from now on, she’ll only raise plants.

Did You Know?
Every hour, 660,000 animals are killed in U.S. slaughterhouses.

Save animals every day by kicking the meat habit—the sooner you quit, the more lives you’ll save.

Tell us what you’ve done for animals. Write to Grrr!, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510

Dog’s Best Friend After reading about a police dog killed by a criminal, Stephanie Taylor, 10, of Oceanside, Calif., put up fliers and dropped off homemade donation boxes at vet clinics and pet supply stores. Within three weeks, she had raised $3,000 to buy bullet-proof vests for every police dog in the city! Check out Stephanie’s Web site at www.vestadog.com.

Taking a Stand When her school held a Jump-a-Thon to raise funds for the American Heart Association (AHA), 7-year-old Coral Frederick jumped for PETA instead! A lifelong vegetarian, Coral explained to her class that the AHA funds experiments that cause animals to have heart attacks and strokes, even though all major advances in studying heart disease and stroke have come from human data. Dozens of Coral’s classmates vowed never to support animal experiments again.

Remembering Caleb When 17-year-old PETA supporter Caleb Gibson was killed in a car accident, his friends organized a benefit concert for PETA in his memory and raised more than $1,000. “While it would have been so much easier to just stay home, they chose to support, console, and hold life dear,” said Caleb’s mom.

Circus Foe Jasmin Baker-Kinney testified before the Redmond City Council in favor of a proposed ban on performing exotic animals. “I don’t think it’s right for animals to be entertainers,” she told councilmembers. “Circuses don’t teach what animals are like in real life. I would never go to an animal circus and watch the animals suffer.” The circus ban passed unanimously.

“I Couldn’t Let Them Get Away With It”
Lennie Bowe, 16, could hardly believe it when she heard that some of her friends were bragging about having stolen, tortured, and killed a cat. Lennie used her head and called PETA cruelty caseworker Daphna Nachminovitch, who advised her to get evidence. With the help of her mother, Lennie found out where the cat’s body had been dumped and took pictures of the scene. Then she called the police. Thanks to Lennie’s dedication, the three teenagers involved in the killing have been charged with cruelty to animals.

“I didn’t want them to just get away with that and brag about it and think it was funny,” says Lennie. Some people criticized her for turning in her “friends,” but Lennie is glad she spoke up. “I’m no longer friends with [them],” she says. “It scares me that they could do this.”