What’s PETA Cooking Up for 30 Years of Capitol Hill Veggie Dogs?

When PETA took to Capitol Hill outside the Rayburn House Office Building in 1996 to protest the American Meat Institute’s hot dog lunch with our first-ever Congressional Veggie Dog Lunch, we didn’t quite know what to expect—we’d never done anything like it before. But we were thrilled when the line for our delicious veggie dogs trailed blocks down Independence Avenue, because we knew we’d hit the mark!

Republicans and Democrats alike, staffers and interns—everyone raves about our meat-free franks with all the fixin’s year after year! Find out what PETA is cooking up ahead of the 30th anniversary of our first Congressional Veggie Dog Lunch and look back at just how far we’ve come.

PETA Brings the Heat to Congress for Three Decades Straight

Every year, we pack our truck full of veggie dogs, vegan starter kits, and loads of generously donated vegan cookbooks, so folks can take some animal-free meal ideas home with them.

Thanks to thousands of veggie dogs, plush pigs, and conversations with PETA’s team, many Congress members now know that all pigs are sensitive, intelligent animals who can learn how to play joystick-controlled video games and even put their toys away when they’re done. They’re optimistic and curious beings who are so cunning that they’ve been observed purposely throwing others off the scent if they’re privy to a secret stash of food (because who’d want to share their veggie dogs?). Every time someone chooses a vegan hot dog instead of one made from an animal’s body, they’re sparing a gentle, inquisitive pig from a lifetime of suffering.

Today, there are way more vegan ways to grill than there were in 1996. Almost all the well-known cookout staples, including Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, Ben & Jerry’s, Dairy Queen, Hellmann’s, and Hormel, have added delicious vegan foods to their product lines—and we’ll be dishing many of them up during our celebration.

Serving Compassionate Action for Thirty Years

 1997

2000

Former Playboy playmates serving veggie dogs (Congressional Not Dog Lunch)

2003

Lauren Anderson, former Playboy playmate, and Kayla serving veggie dogs (Congressional Not Dog Lunch)

2005

Annette Lantos holding a dog, who is sniffing Lauren Anderson’s face (Congressional Not Dog Lunch)

2006

RVP20060719006-19JUL2006-WASHINGTON, DC, USA: Lettuce Lady Hannah Shaw from Fairfax, Virginia, hands Linda Thomas from Zanesville, Ohio,a veggie dog during the Tenth Annual Congressional Veggie Dog Lunch, July 19th, 2006, outside the Rayburn House Office Building on Capital Hill in Washington, DC. The lunch is hosted each year by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Becky Downey (pointing) from Columbus, Ohio, is inquiring about the ingredients of the veggie dog. © 2006 Robert Visser

2014

veggie dog lunch

2015

veggie dog lunch

2017

long line waiting for vegan hot dogs

2019

Veggie Dog Lunch
NBA star John Salley was all smiles when he joined us for our 2019 luncheon to tout the benefits of his vegan lifestyle, pose for photos, and sign autographs for adoring fans.

2020

Veggie Dog Lunch

dog with plushie

2021

2022

2024

2025

PETA’s Veggie Dogs Are Making Capitol Hill a More Compassionate Place

The meatheads probably thought we’d get Congress to go vegan only when pigs fly. Now, Capitol Hill counts numerous vegetarians and vegans among its ranks. And while pigs aren’t technically flying, our pig-free hot dogs certainly fly off the table year after year.

You can do the same in your community—plan your own veggie-dog cookout!

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