PETA Asks Goldman Sachs Chief to Steer Company Bonus Money to Animals Who Lost Their Homes in Foreclosures

During Financial Crisis, Animals Have Lost Their Families and Lives Because of Evictions and Moves

For Immediate Release:
January 12, 2010

Contact:
Virginia Fort 757-622-7382

Washington -- Today, PETA sent a strong appeal to Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein urging him to encourage company executives to donate part of their massive bonuses to programs that help animals who have ended up in animal shelters as a result of the financial crisis. PETA's request comes following reports that Goldman may expand a program that requires bonus recipients to donate a portion of that money to charity. PETA is not asking for any handouts; however, the group points out in the letter that the runaway home foreclosure rate is forcing people who've lost their homes to surrender their dogs and cats to animal shelters in record numbers and that these open-admission animal shelters and free veterinary and sterilization clinics would welcome the help.

"Dogs and cats are the hidden victims of the Great Recession," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "As a major player in the financial markets, Goldman Sachs has an opportunity to help those animals who are now without a family or a place to live. These cats and dogs have lost everything that is important to them, and these animals can use all the kindness that they can get."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

PETA's letter to Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein follows.

January 12, 2010

Lloyd C. Blankfein
CEO
Goldman Sachs

Dear Mr. Blankfein:

As the world's largest animal rights organization, with more than 2 million members and supporters, PETA is happy to learn that Goldman Sachs might require its executives and top managers to donate a higher percentage of their salaries to charity as part of its public relations strategy. We are not asking for any of that largesse--just congratulating you and making a suggestion that I hope you will like.
 
I imagine that most of your top staff has a beloved dog or cat at home. Please remember for a moment that when people went through foreclosures, many dumped their animals at the nearest animal shelter or pound. Other animals were thrown out onto the street, and some were found, sometimes dead, in the house that had been vacated.

Most animal shelters operate on a shoestring budget and do all that they can to pick up, house, and care for dozens of homeless animals every day. Fewer than half the animals who make it into an animal shelter make it out again because shelters have such a small operating budget.

Goldman Sachs staff donations would mean the world to struggling animal shelter programs. The money could help pay for advertising campaigns for adoptions and spay/neuter clinics, which stop more homeless animals from being brought into the world, as well as food and veterinary care for needy animals.

Please consider sharing with those who have lost not only their homes but also the families they love because of the foreclosure crisis. I would be happy to talk with you about this further. Thank you for your consideration.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid E. Newkirk
President