Indiana School District Swears Off Using Animals for Fundraisers

April 2002

PETA contacted the principals of Zionsville Middle Schools and the district’s superintendent after learning that a donkey basketball game was planned at the schools the following week. We and the activists, who had contacted us, implored the principals to replace the cruel event with a more humane one that wouldn’t subject animals to potential injury and stressful conditions. We spoke with several media outlets in the area and encouraged the activists to bring the issue up at an upcoming school board meeting.

To discourage schools from canceling games after compassionate people raise concerns, donkey basketball outfits levied a hefty cancellation fee. The middle schools went on with the game to avoid paying the fee, but because of the huge outcry in the area, the district set a policy against the use of animals in future fundraisers at any of its schools.