Urge University of Southern California Officials to Cancel Cruel Dove Release

Update (May 10, 2024): Unfortunately, the University of Southern California apparently went through with the dove release at today’s commencement ceremony. But please continue to urge school officials to choose an animal-free alternative at all future events.

Original text:

The University of Southern California apparently plans to release doves at its commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10. Sadly, it appears that this has been a component of the school’s commencement events for several years.

For these captive-bred birds, such releases can be life-threatening. After being released, in their frantic attempts to return home, doves can wander about for days without eating or resting. During this stressful ordeal, the disoriented birds can succumb to countless perils, including extreme weather conditions and attacks from predators. Heartbreakingly, PETA has received many calls from good Samaritans who have found horribly injured or badly malnourished banded birds. Our staff members have picked up the remains of several killed by hawks and falcons. These birds are also typically confined in poor living conditions before being released.

PETA wrote to university officials sharing the many problems associated with dove releases and urging them to scrap this portion of the event, but unfortunately, we’ve been met with silence. Now it’s your turn!

Please contact the University of Southern California officials listed below and ask that they cancel the dove release portion of the event. Rude or unkind messages will hinder our efforts, so please keep all correspondence polite and professional.

Dr. Carol Folt
President
[email protected]; [email protected]
213-740-2111

Andrew Guzman
Provost
[email protected]
213-740-2101

University of Southern California
[email protected]