Bristol Palin's Appearance on ABC Family Prompts PETA to Air 'Sex Talk' Ad

Edgy TV Spot Carries Lifesaving Animal Birth Control Message

For Immediate Release:
June 28, 2010

Contact:
Michael Lyubinsky 757-622-7382

Burbank, Calif. -- When she became a single mother at the age of 18, Bristol Palin learned the importance of abstinence and safe sex--but when it comes to cats and dogs, who's having the sex talk? On July 5, as Palin makes a guest appearance on ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teenager, PETA plans to air its satirical "Sex Talk" ad in order to draw needed attention to the cat and dog overpopulation crisis.

The 30-second spot features two parents who encourage their teenage daughter to become sexually active. When the horrified girl asks, "What if I get pregnant?" the father urges her to "pop out all the kids you want" and the mother says, "If it's got a pulse, you should be wrapped around it!" The ad concludes with the message "Parents shouldn't act this way. Neither should people with dogs and cats. Always spay or neuter." PETA is currently negotiating with ABC Family to air the ad.

"Just as the Palins came under scrutiny because of Bristol's pregnancy, people who fail to spay and neuter their animal companions should also be feeling the heat," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "No one should be bringing more animals into the world when millions of deserving and wonderful cats and dogs are literally dying for a good home."

Why is PETA pushing animal birth control? Spaying just one cat or dog can prevent countless births. Approximately 6 million to 8 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters each year, and roughly half of them must be euthanized because there simply aren't enough good homes.

For more information and to view the ad, please visit PETA.org.