This Week's DeFlocked! October 31, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

Jeff Corriveau makes a great point with this week's installment of "DeFlocked"—it's absurd that some people think it's okay to eat animals just because they don't speak human or aren't stereotypically 'cute.' Animals aren't food, people.

This installment is sure to make you chuckle a bit.

Click for a larger version

To check out past installments, click here.



♥ Marta

Posted by Marta

"Cut Out Dissection" Month Comes to a Close October 31, 2007

Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Boo!

Scary, right? Ok, not really. What is scary though is to think that it's already the last day of "Cut Out Dissection" month here at peta2. Where has the time gone?

Of course, that certainly doesn't mean that the fight is over. High schools and colleges across the country continue to force students to cut up dead animals against their will, despite the fact that there are countless scientific, humane alternatives available.

If you haven't already had a chance to, check out our undercover investigation video at a dissection supplier, titled "Classroom Cut-Ups":

Also, if you were lucky enough to score those free "Cut Class, Not Frogs" stickers we were giving out earlier this month, make sure to hand them out with your candy tonight!

Free stickers and candy, does it get any better than that?

- Ryan

Posted by Ryan

Halloween Treat: Win a Factory Farming Stinks Tee! October 31, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 39 ) | TrackBack

Have you ever driven by a factory farm? You might not have known it was a factory farm by the looks of it, but you sure as hell could tell it was one by the smell. The truth of the matter is factory farming stinks (and I'm not just talking about the stench).

Here are my top 5 reasons why factory farming stinks:

1. Chickens killed for food in the United States are bred and drugged to grow so quickly that their hearts, lungs, and limbs often can't keep up.
2. Hens used for their eggs live six or seven to a battery cage the size of a file drawer, thousands of which are stacked tier upon tier in huge, filthy warehouses.
3. Cows used for their milk are drugged and bred to produce unnatural amounts of milk; they have their babies stolen from them shortly after birth and sent to notoriously cruel veal farms so that humans can drink the calves' milk.
4. Mother pigs on factory farms are confined to crates so small that they are unable to turn around or even lie down comfortably.
5. Meet Your Meat

Not only do I think factory farming stinks, so do our friends at District Cotton, who created the amazing tee you see below. Lucky for you, we are giving away not one of these lovely tees, but five of them!

For a chance to win, comment below with the #1 reason why you think factory farming stinks. The contest ends November 21st, and the winner will be chosen by November 26th.

Happy Halloween! -Lara

P.S. Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

P.P.S. Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

Posted by Lara

Excited for Halloween? October 30, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

The people in our office are getting way too excited about Halloween, and frankly it's scaring me. What are you going to be for Halloween?

Exhibit A:

Go Veg jack-o'-lantern.

Exhibit B:

Notice the PETA logo and ghost in this jack-o'-lantern.

Exhibit C:

Lara dressed like a pumpkin or squash or whatever.

Exhibit D:

Is this sad or clever? I can't decide. My friend Jack didn't have a costume, but made a sign that says 'O'Lantern.' Put Jack + O'Lantern together and what do you get? That's right. Jack-O'Lantern!

Exhibit E:

This is actually how Marta dresses every day for work.

Oh and by the way, Paul from Silverstein wanted to say hello real quickly from the I Am Not A Nugget tour.

-Pulin

Posted by Pulin

Words from the Road, peta2 Style! October 29, 2007

Posted by Nicole | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Wanna know what the peta2 outreach staff has been up to while out traveling the highways on the Silverstein "I Am Not A Nugget" tour? Are you prepared to feel unbelievably jealous while looking through oogles of sweet pics of delicious food? Check it out and don't say I didn't warn you...

The last week has been intense my friends and it's literally been sweet. We had a day off in Phoenix, AZ, and got to go to one of my favorite stops, Green, in Tempe, AZ. Since Marta likes to text me about the cookies she's not eating, I decided to get one fine strawberry soynami with two pecans on top, upon request, to blow cookies away. As you can tell, I was totally in love with this sweetie.

After a long drive to Texas and listening to Susan sing with her favorite pop bands, we stopped at Sun Harvest Farms to grab something quick and cheap for the night. Hours later, when it was time to eat, a nice tofurky sausage with tofutti cheese layed to rest in my palms.



We're done messin' with Texas and we headed to Florida to check things out. We got to our first stop and saw one amazing cart for Soul Vegetarian. We were treated to some incredible vegan pizza with seitan and had some amazing vegan mac-n-cheese. Amazing, yeah?

As usual, don't forget to check out the tour dates and win some free tickets here! We shall see some of you soon!

--Cody 'The Hammer'

Posted by Nicole

Halloween in the UK October 29, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

Here's a special guest blog from Martin with peta2 UK.

It's Halloween Week.

Last weekend I thought I would try to get into the Halloween spirit and carve a pumpkin and bake some vegan cookies. I got in touch with my inner Goth and really busted out my artistic talents.


I have to admit that as I lack any kind of drawing skill I kind of cheated with the stencil but I think I did really well with my cutting talents and the message is right (yeah I know it should really be SUCKS but I ran out of room). As we know there is nothing more horrific than the way that KFC suppliers treat animals before they are to be slaughtered. Beheading, beatings, being scalded alive and electrocution are all parts of life for the animals that are kept captive for the Colonel.

Now for the cookies. They taste good but unfortunately they look like crap. I blame the icing, but I guess it could be my impatience.


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Martin

Posted by Marta

Vote for Your Favorite Cruelty-Free Outfit! October 26, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 86 ) | TrackBack

A while back I asked all you stylish ladies and gents to send us photos of you in your favorite cruelty-free outfits—you know, outfits free of fur, leather, and wool. I mean, why wear an animal when you can wear something cute that didn't cause an animal to suffer and die?

I don't know about you, but it makes me shudder to think about wearing someone else's skin/fur. If someone were to tell you, 'Here is a coat I made for you out of human back hair' you'd probably scream, run the other direction, and maybe even throw up in your mouth a little, right? But people who wear animal skins are wearing the skin and hair off an animal's back—an animal who doesn't speak human and can't tell us it hurts to be drowned, gassed, and anally electrocuted (though I think it's obvious to most of us that any of those things would hurt anyone, be it a human, a fox, or a raccoon).

And don't even get me started on leather—the fact that people wear cow skin that has to be chemically treated to keep from rotting is just plain nasty. Say it with me now: Chemically-treated cow skin is not fashionable.

Anyway, now that I've gone off on my tangent, I'll leave you lovelies to decide which outfit below is your favorite, so comment away!

Will it be Twigg's fur-free fashion sense?

Or Michael's casual and comfy cruelty-free clothing?


Or Donna's dazzling death-free dress (and yes, her shoes are pleather!)?


And vote wisely, cause the person who has the photo with the highest number of votes will win a $50 gift certificate from Alternative Outfitters!

♥ Marta

Posted by Marta

Don't Let Mars Candy Cash In Off Animal Testing October 25, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

Halloween is less than a week away and that means trick-or-treating, school parties, and the consumption of an obscene amount of sugar.

Since the candy company Mars has refused to stop supporting animal tests, it's important that we all help spread the word about this completely horrendous and ridiculous situation.

First, click here to send a message to Mars demanding that they stop animal tests for some candy!

Next, click here to download some leaflets to hand out at school, at stores where it's permitted, and on Halloween itself (both at your house and if you're going door to door).

We'll probably remind you a bit closer to All Hallows Eve, but that's the deal for now. Spread the word. It may be that Mars executives have too much chocolate clogging their decision making ability, so we need everyone to tell them that these experiments are totally unnecessary and cruel.

Thanks!

-Pulin

Posted by Marta

Cut Class Not Frogs Winners! October 25, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

There were so many amazing entries for our "Cut Class Not Frogs" t-shirt contest, that I decided to pick not one winner, but three! Check out my favorite of the winning comments...

By Crystal:
Dissection?

What is there to say? Well, other than no.

You see, Dissection is defined as cutting something open to study it closer. This verb can be used in many ways at school. We dissect words, (taking apart the prefixes, suffixes and root word) the school lunches (who knows what that is?) and in some very sad cases, animals.

Our teachers tell us we do this to get a closer look at the internal organs of the creatures around us. They also tell us that we have to do it to pass. They even give the proper instructions on how to do it. But, who tells the whole truth these days? What are they not telling us?

What the teachers don't speak of is the killing of a living thing, the life that it once lived and the other alternatives there are to dissection.

I didn't dissect a frog in Biology, nor did I dissect the worm. I don't need to brag about that though. I heard alot that day, as I sat and looked out the window while my peers were busy doing their lab. Students were laughing, giggling, gossiping, metal scraping; Girls were screaming, and boys were whooping. None of which sounded like a learning experience.

So now it is your turn, you can choose your fate. Do you choose to be similar to the ignorant freshman my year in biology; Or do you choose to talk to your teacher see what she can do for an alternative assignment, or maybe just having to tell her that you will have to crush your grade with an F?

The choice isn't hard, but it isn't easy. It shows morals and goes against the cookie cutter shape that society has made up. Stand up for yourself, and the ones without voices.

Don't dissect.

You guys are awesome!

xoxo-Lara

P.S. If you didn't win, you can still get some great "Cut Class Not Frogs" merch here !

Posted by Lara

Animal Rights Jack-O-Lanterns October 24, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

Yo. Halloween is just days away. You've got your pumpkin. You've got your creativity. You've got a house full of knives (to be used carefully)! Put them together and carve a sweet pumpkin like Korynn did with this friendly chicken design which you may recognize from just about everywhere on the peta2 website! Know what I'm saying?

Make your own animal rights jack-o-lantern and send us photos to StreetTeam@peta2.com and we'll even give you 1000 Street Team points. It can be a slogan, a design, or whatever you think you can pull off as long as it's related to some animal rights issue.

-Pulin

P.S.- Did you know we have jobs and internships available?

Posted by Marta

Design a peta2 Tote! October 23, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

I just got back from my vacation at Yellowstone National Park. I saw three coyotes, a herd of bison, a bunch of elk, a bald eagle, and a ton of thermal activity. Needless to say, a good time was had by all.

I must admit though- I kinda missed you all. So I am happy to be back, and even happier to announce that our good friends at Stay Vocal have teamed up with peta2 to put on a contest to design an animal rights themed canvas tote bag!

So if you are lucky enough to be artistically inclined, you should enter the contest! Not only can your design be made into Stay Vocal merch, you can also win some pretty decent prizes.

xoxo-Lara

P.S. The Nugget is playing Where's Waldo somewhere on their homepage. See if you can find him.

P.P.S. Halloween (a.k.a. my favorite holiday) is almost here. If aren't the type to go all out with wigs and makeup, but still want to get into the spirit-check out our new Zombie merch here!

Posted by Lara

Ladies and Gentlemen, Cobra's Gabe Saporta... October 23, 2007

Posted by Nicole | Permalink | Comments ( 13 ) | TrackBack

So today I have a real treat for you in the way of a guest blog. Now I'm not talking about just any old guest here--it's the one, it's the only...Mr. Gabe Saporta!! (insert applause here) Get excited people because Gabe and the Cobra clan are releasing their second CD, !Viva La Cobra!, today! As if that's not exciting enough, the always lovely Mr. Saporta is also giving away three signed copies to three of you luckies. Okay, okay, enough from me. Take it away, Gabe...

Happy October 23rd everyone! October is my favorite month! Not only because it's my birthday month, and not only because it has my favorite Holiday (Columbus Day, not Halloween as you might have incorrectly assumed...PSYCHE!) but also because both Cobra Starship albums have come out in this month! Last October (10/11/06) I put out my first record, While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets, in a whirlwind after Snakes on a Plane came out. And today, just a year later, we are putting out our second record, iViva La Cobra!.

This past year has been insane. The most amazing thing has been watching Cobras transform from some semi-retarded solo project into a real life band! Making this record as a band really solidified us, and having Patrick Stump (from Fall Out Boy) produce it just brought us to another level. We actually wrote the entire record while we were on tour with Fall Out Boy in the spring. On that tour I also did the peta2 interview with FOB's drummer, Andy Hurley, and in honor of Hurley, peta2, and all the veggies and animal lovers out there, we are giving away three signed copies of the record.

In order to win a copy, just jot down a few sentences as to what inspired you to become a vegetarian! Thanks again to everyone who has been supporting Cobras for the past year and allowed us to make another record! And thanks to peta2 and everyone out there who is trying to make a difference for animals everywhere!

Fangs up!
-Gabe




Okay people--be sure to get your comments to us by November 13 and I'll notify the lucky winners by November 20.


Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.

Posted by Nicole

Running for Chickens? October 22, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

Now I don't know about you, but going out running for 13.1 miles is not my idea of a fun way to spend a Sunday morning. However, 13 miles is a piece of vegan cake for some people, especially when running to educate others. PETA's very own Nicole and Lindsay sweated it up yesterday in a half marathon in Louisville, Kentucky (headquarters of none other than KFC) to spread the message of KFC's cruelty.

Donning yellow sports bras and shorts, Lindsay and Nicole caused quite a stir for the 2 hours and 21 minutes they ran with messages such as "Boycott KFC" and "KFC Tortures Chicks" written on themselves. Check it out:

They wanted to spread the message that no one should support a company that supports cruelty to animals. Click here to learn more about KFC, and if you haven't yet, be sure to check out our "Super Chick Sisters" game.

Yay for Lindsay and Nicole! You girls rock!

♥ Marta

PS - I spent the last few days at a conference with Pulin in Austin, and he would just not stop talking about Lindsay and Nicole and how cute they must look in their "tiny yellow outfits" (his words). I prefer Zach Braff sporting tiny yellow scrubs myself (jk), but to each his/her own.

Posted by Marta

Reese Witherspoon, Avon Lady October 19, 2007

Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

Are they or aren't they has been the question on everyone's mind when it comes to Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal. I really hate it when celebs try to be all sneaky and refuse to admit they're dating, pregnant, gay, whatever they're hiding. We'll find out eventually, we always do so just give it up already.

Reese and Jake even avoided each other at the premiere of their new movie, Rendition. In all fairness, her divorce from Ryan Phillippe had just been finalized that day so maybe it was too soon to declare their affection for each other.

One thing Reese isn't worried about going public with is her support of the Avon Foundation, a cruelty-free charity that focuses on breast cancer research and awareness, among other issues. In fact, Avon Products, Inc. has named her the first-ever global ambassador and honorary chair of the foundation.

I'd like to be the ambassador of fabulousness...or shoes. Ooooh! Shoes! Yeah, forget that fabulousness thing, I'm going with global ambassador of shoes. Sorry, so back to Reese...she's also become the newest face of Avon cosmetics, and recently shot a new commercial for the cruelty-free company.

Glad to see that a bit of "Elle Woods" has rubbed off on her and she's working with people who know that torturing animals for health or beauty is cruel, archaic, and a waste of time and money.

xox

Patricia

P.S. Nine years ago we lost my life-long BFF's mom (my second mom) to breast cancer and I miss her every single day. I wish all of the charities trying to find cures for breast cancer and other diseases would stop using unreliable animal tests for all our sakes.

If you or someone you know is planning to donate time or money to a charity, you can find out their stand on animal testing on the Council of Humane Giving's handy dandy search page.

Posted by Patricia

Vote for the "Most Veg-Friendly Colleges"! October 18, 2007

Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

I hope for your sake that you aren't reading this on an empty stomach, because ladies and germs, I am about to present to you peta2's Most Veg-Friendly Colleges Contest 2007!

Since there are 40 nominees from all over North America, I don't have the space to post them all on here (the full list can be found here). However, here are some highlights to get you started. Readers, start your drooling!

University of California - Berkeley
- Southwest soy crumble and tofu scramble
- Black bean, potato, and Field Roast sausage hash
- Vegan chicken nuggets

Marquette University (Milwaukee)
- Vegan nachos
- Vegan Diablo "chicken"
- Cajun-style lentil soup

Boston University
- Vegan sorbet
- Soy tacos
- Vegan mac and "cheese"

Give you an idea of what kind of stiff competition we're looking at here??

NOTE: You do NOT have to go to any of the colleges (or even be in college) to vote for your favorite, so what are you waiting for?? GO! GO!

What's that? Your school dining options involve lettuce with no dressing and cold plain spaghetti every day? Well, it's time to do something about it! Make sure to check out our "Veganize Your Cafeteria" page, which details how you too can get AMAZING vegan options added to your school's menu.

- Ryan!

Posted by Ryan

DeFlocked Time! October 18, 2007

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

It's been awhile since we've brought you DeFlocked by Jeff Corriveau, and I just had to share this installment with you. Remember: Chickens Aren't Nuggets. They don't want to have their throats slit while they're still conscious any more than you do. Click here to ask government officials to protect chickens under the Humane Slaughter Act.

And now, enjoy DeFlocked!

Click for a larger version

To check out past installments, click here.

♥ Marta

Posted by Marta

peta2 in Japan! October 17, 2007

Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBack

One of the things I've learned over my 2 years of working at peta2 is that when you are given a certain amount of vacation days each year, SAVE THEM! That way, you can enjoy an amazing trip, and eat lots of good food.

So this year, I decided to take off a whole week, and fly to Japan. Being the home of Nintendo, sumo wrestling, and green tea, I knew this was someplace I had to go.

So pull out your favorite bamboo floormat and vegan sushi, because we're going on a journey to Far East!

First up, was a restaurant called the "Vegan Healing Cafe". But as I was walking up to the front entrance, I saw what could possibly be the coolest car ever parked out front!

We are truly everywhere.

Of course, even when I'm on vacation, I'm still not a douche (although Pulin may disagree, since he had to cover for me while I was gone). That's why I didn't eat at some crappy restaurant that tortures animals like...oh I don't know...



On the plus side though, I visited a series of Buddhist temples and shrines, many of which had free-roaming deer in the towns! According to their beliefs, the deer are considered the "guardians" of the temples, so nobody is allowed to harm them!

Needless to say, since nobody hurts them, they were very friendly back. Here we are strutting down the street in style.



All in all it was a great trip. Should you ever find yourself with 9 days and nothing to do, I would highly recommend hopping a plane and floating on over to Japan (legally speaking, you should probably check with your parents first).

If you go, stop on by the Vegan Healing Cafe, and tell them Ryan sent you. They'll likely smile politely and respond with "wonayazo hadachi Ryan de-aruga?" (that means "Who the hell is Ryan?" in Japanese).

- Ryan

Posted by Ryan

Report From Silverstein's "I Am Not a Nugget" Tour! October 17, 2007

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack

Whoa dang! The Silverstein "I Am Not a Nugget" Tour has taken over the nation for a few weeks already, and I'm just now telling you about it? It's time for me to stop being lame, and time for you check out what's going down.

Let's start with a brief introduction of the peta2 crew. That's Paige on the far left with one wicked tattoo. In the middle chowin down is Ohio native Susan. And then there's...me. We're not Nuggets, and neither are you. Woot. Okay, now you're ready to peep at what we've been up to.

Folks are being sticker-fied at every stop on the tour. I'm serious—we're making sure you're all leaving with some loveable stickers. Even those that freak me out get stickers! True story.



Tasty food has been engulfed along the way, and I now claim Sidney's Cafe as one of my favorite places to eat (thanks to their French Toast).