PETA to Protest Groupon’s Annual Meeting Over Deceptive Circus Deals

Daily-Deal Company Violates Its Own Policy Against Promoting Exhibitors That Abuse Animals

For Immediate Release:
May 19, 2014

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Animal exhibitors with UniverSoul Circus, Piccadilly Circus, and G.W. Exotic—a deplorable roadside zoo in Oklahoma—have racked up a slew of violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act in the last two years, including leaving a ewe to suffer from a broken leg and beating an elephant multiple times about her face. But Groupon has still promoted these abusers, despite its stated policy that the animal exhibitors it promotes “must have clean [U.S. Department of Agriculture] … inspection reports from at least the past 2 years.” That’s why members of PETA—which bought stock in Groupon in order to be able to submit resolutions—will protest outside the company’s annual meeting in Chicago on Tuesday.

When:   Tuesday, May 20, 9 a.m.

Where:  Dana Hotel and Spa, 660 N. State St. (near the intersection with E. Erie Street), Chicago

“Stockholders should be aware that Groupon is promoting circuses and roadside zoos with exhibitors that beat elephants, lock tigers in cages 24/7, and deny animals everything that’s natural and important to them,” says PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders. “PETA has tried to persuade Groupon to stop these despicable promotions, but the company has turned a blind eye.”

PETA has also filed a complaint asking the Federal Trade Commission to take enforcement action against Groupon for its false—and illegal—claims that it promotes only animal exhibitors that have not been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the previous two years.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.