Cows and College Kids to Scream for Vegan Ice Cream in Athens
For Immediate Release:
March 16, 2026
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
Students at the University of Georgia (UGA) can grab some food for thought—and seriously delicious dairy-free ice cream—when peta2, part of PETA’s youth division, rolls up with PETA’s famous “I Scream” truck on campus this Wednesday. The ice cream giveaway at UGA is one of many that the mobile parlor will host in Athens this week, as part of PETA’s nationwide campaign urging ice cream lovers everywhere to leave mother cows and their babies alone (and allow lactose-intolerant friends to join in the fun).
People are rapidly ditching dairy out of concern for the animals, the planet, their own arteries (or Dad’s or Gramps’), or because they’re among the millions of Americans who cannot digest lactose, and shops already serving vegan ice cream are scooping up the rewards.
“Vegan ice cream is the perfect study-break treat because a cow’s milk is made for her calf, not for humans,” says peta2 Vice President Rachelle Owen. “peta2’s campus pop-up welcomes everyone to choose dairy-free scoops that help keep all families together.”
Where: Outside of Memorial Plaza at the University of Georgia, Athens
When: Wednesday, March 18, 12 noon
Why: Cows have friends and mourn when a loved one dies or when they’re separated from each other, yet in the dairy industry, female cows are forcibly impregnated and have their beloved calves stolen from them so the milk meant to nourish their babies can be sold to humans. Newborn males are slaughtered for veal, while female calves endure the same fate as their mothers until their bodies wear out and they’re sent to slaughter.
peta2 notes that with an abundance of dairy-free ice creams available today—including decadent vegan flavors from Oatly, Breyer’s, Ben & Jerry’s, and more—it’s never been easier to opt for delicious desserts that let calves stay with their mothers. For anyone ready to dump dairy for good, peta2’s new Breakup campaign offers tips, recipes, and freebies to help make the switch.
peta2—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers young people positive, empowering actions to help animals. For more information, please visit peta2.com or follow peta2 on TikTok or Instagram.
