To Mother With Love February 29, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack

Martin in the UK is excited about the British version of Mother's Day. So here's his message for you...
-Pulin

It's Mothering Sunday coming up in the UK, and I think that gives us a good opportunity to let our mothers know how much they mean to us. I think I was lucky that I had a really supportive mum and even though I decided to go vegetarian when I was 8, she was there helping me with the choices I made. I know that not all you guys have that luxury, so peta2 has got a few different e-cards for you to send out for this British holiday.

Here are some examples:

Peace!

-Martin

Posted by Pulin

Free Stuff Friday: peta2 Guitar Picks! February 29, 2008

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How many of you out there play guitar? And I mean real guitar, not Guitar Hero. I can't play guitar at all, but I can rock some Sex Pistols like nobody’s business on Xbox.

Anyways, I have these sweet new peta2 guitar picks to give away!

We have them in two widths. This means nothing to me, but hopefully guitar players everywhere will be excited! To win, comment below with your favorite Animal Rights song! Mine is definitely Propagandhi's “Nailing Descartes to the Wall”.

Three of you will win two guitar picks and some of our new Fur Is Dead leaflets to pass out to all your friends. Spend some time exploring our new Fur Is Dead site, it is really amazing. Plus you can find out which Skelanimal you are. I'm Jack the rabbit!

Are you like Pulin and don't have a guitar to play? You can win one of those too!



This contest ends March 14, 2008 and the winners will be chosen and notified by March 21, 2008!

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.

Have fun!

-Ashleigh

Posted by Ashleigh

Imagine If Your Name Were FishingHurts February 28, 2008

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My friend, formerly known as Rachel, actually changed her name to FishingHurts. You know, as in the website FishingHurts.com and the pretty simple concept that the practice of fishing hurts these aquatic animals. Seriously, it's true that this Flagstaff, Arizona resident legally changed her name.

I thought you might be interested in meeting her, so here's a quick interview with 21 year old FishingHurts.

What is your background with animal rights?
I went vegetarian when I was 13, vegan at 19. I did various animal rights demonstrations throughout my teen years such as the circus and KFC. At 20, I got an internship with PETA.

What do you think of the internship program at PETA?
My internship with PETA was the best learning experience I could ask for. I learned how to effectively discuss animal rights as well as the important steps for organizing a demonstration—many of which I hadn't been doing. My internship made me a better advocate for animals.

Why did you want to change your name to FishingHurts compared to all the other industries which also abuse animals?
Of all the industries where animals are abused, I chose fishing because I feel that people tend to forget about fish because we can't relate to them. People see them as "sea vegetables," and I want to remind people that they are living beings that are capable of fear and pain.

Where can people learn more about the cruelty involved in the fishing industry?
People can learn more about the cruelty involved in the fishing industry, as well as the health risks and environmental concerns, by visiting FishingHurts.com.

What's your recommendation for people looking to get involved in animal rights?
Anyone who is looking to get involved in animal rights, I would highly recommend to reading PETA's websites as well as watching videos such as Earthlings. Knowledge is power. I also recommend PETA's internship program as a great introduction to activism.

What do you do for fun?
I love to sled. While everyone here is into snowboarding or skiing, it's all about sleds for me. I also spend a lot of time drinking espresso in locally-owned coffeeshops.

What's on your music playlist these days?
Right now, I've got Common on repeat. Other favorites right now are Fort Minor, Outkast, Citizen Cope, Gnarles Barkley, and Talib Kweli.

Thanks to FishingHurts for the interview and being so dedicated. If you're looking for ways to get involved in the fight for animal rights, join the peta2 Street Team!

-Pulin

Posted by Pulin

Deflocked! February 28, 2008

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Check out this week's Deflocked about foie gras.

Click for a larger version
To check out past installments, click here.



♥ Marta

Posted by Marta

Breaking News: Skelanimals and peta2 Launch "Fur Is Dead" Campaign! February 27, 2008

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Yay! I am so happy to announce that our new "Fur Is Dead" site has officially launched! Thanks to the help from Skelanimals, we have an amazing new site up to get the word out about fur!

You most likely have already seen Skelanimals' cuter than cute characters before at stores like Hot Topic and specialty boutiques, but here's some more background on the company that was the 2007 Libby Award winner for "Best Animal-Friendly Clothing Company," and helped make this all possible...

Skelanimals are the brain children of artist and designer Mitchell Bernal. Skelanimals are looking for a home with that special someone to care for and love them, but not just anyone. They like people who have a warm heart; after all they're just bones. They need you to keep them warm and cozy. Snuggling is their favorite thing to do, especially when you watch a scary movie. One thing Skelanimals don't like (even though they don't have any) is fur! That's why they are so happy to take part in peta2's "Fur Is Dead" campaign.

On our "Fur Is Dead" site, you can become one of the 100,000 Strong Against Fur, take the "Which Skelanimal Are You?" quiz, post pics of yourself in bunny ears, and purchase the absolutely adorable new peta2/Skelanimals "Fur Is Dead" tee!

Comment below letting me know what you think of the new site!

xoxo- Lara

Posted by Lara

Royal Order: Prince Charles Bans Foie Gras! February 27, 2008

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Today's blog features guest blogger, peta2 UK's Violet.

I couldn't quite believe my ears when I heard this news but against all odds, Prince Charles has banned foie gras from royal menus! The Prince of Wales has instructed chefs at all of his royal residences to stop serving the dish after learning how the product—often referred to as "cruelty in a tin"—is produced. One of Charles's favourite shops in Gloucestershire may also see the removal of The Prince's "Royal Warrant" as they also sell foie gras. Royal Warrants of Appointment are warrants that have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods to a royal court or certain royal persons. Good show old boy!

Splendour/Creative Commons
So what's all the fuss about foie gras?? Foie gras production is a savage process. The birds are kept in tiny wire cages or packed into sheds. Pipes are repeatedly rammed down the birds' throats, and up to 4 pounds of grain and fat are pumped into their stomachs two or three times every day. The pipes puncture many birds' throats, sometimes causing the animals to bleed to death. This cruel procedure causes the birds' livers to become diseased and swell to up to 10 times their normal size. The birds who survive the force-feeding are killed, and their livers are sold for foie gras.


No supermarkets in the UK sell foie gras and it is considered so cruel that its production is actually prohibited in the UK. Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges, who both also have a Royal Warrant, still sell foie gras. Please contact them online and ask them to take a leaf out of the Prince's book and cease the sale of all foie gras from their stores!

Contact Selfridges at: connect@selfridges.co.uk
Contact Fortnum & Mason at: cathy.oneill@fortnumandmason.co.uk

Prince Charles, peta2 salutes you!

*Violet
x

Posted by Marta

A Chicken Is Sort Of Like A T-Rex February 26, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBack

That one made me smile. And again, thanks to Doug and his Pop Culture Shock Therapy Comics. You can check out their online store here.

Oh and dudes and dudettes, check out some of our iron on designs for you to make your own shirts. And also remember to please show us what you got whether it's photos, videos, or art, or anything else you have done to creatively spread the word about animal rights.

-Pulin

Posted by Pulin

PHILLY: Support 7-Eleven's New Vegan Options! February 25, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 9 ) | TrackBack

Okay, so I already wish I lived in Philly for two main reasons:

1) Gianna's. 'Nuff said.
2) It's PHILLY. C'mon. It's a sweet city!

Anyway, I now have a third reason to be ridiculously jealous of people living in Philly: 7-Eleven is doing a test-run of a bunch of delicious vegetarian sandwiches at several of their Philadelphia locations. Some of the options offered: faux chicken, seitan steak, falafel, and tofu egg-salad. My stomach is calling out just typing this.

Of course PETA's Lettuce Ladies were out promoting the new sandwiches at 7-Eleven. Check it out:

Can you imagine if these delicious sandwiches were available at all 7-Eleven stores? It would be amazing if vegetarian options were readily available to anyone and everyone. If these products sell well in Philly, the company's executives will take notice and may start selling this food in 7-Eleven stores nationwide, which is why it's so important that people go out and support these options. Here are the locations you can find the sandwiches:

16th Street and JFK Boulevard
34th Street and Lancaster Avenue
Ridge Avenue and Walnut Lane
Temple University
Willow Grove Avenue in Glenside
19th and JFK Boulevard

Basically, if you are in the Philly area, go out and buy one of these sandwiches right now! Buy some for your family, friends, teachers, and classmates. Okay, I realize you probably aren't made of money, but you get the idea. Support the soy outta these sandwiches. And you better believe we'll give you Street Team points for buying a sandwich! Drop us an e-mail at StreetTeam@peta2.com after your 7-Eleven run, and we'll give you 500 points for chowing down on one of the sandwiches.

Now go make my stomach jealous!

♥ Marta

Posted by Marta

This Giant Vegetarian Will Devour Us All! February 24, 2008

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So did y'all see Cloverfield? With the giant squid monster thing that knocked down half of Manhattan? As a little guy, that's kind of how I've always felt about dudes like Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers:

washingtonpost.com/Creative Commons

As in, he's the squid monster, I'm the 4-story apartment building that gets turned to rubble. You know what else Prince Fielder is, though? A vegetarian. Check it, from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

That 6-foot, 260-pound build is powered by wheatgrass, soy and tofu nowadays. No meat. Not even fish.

It wasn't always this way. Fielder used to enjoy a stacked burger or a juicy steak as much as any carnivore, but a few weeks ago he received a book from his wife, Chanel, that changed his outlook on what he puts in his massive frame. The book described how certain animals are treated and slaughtered for food. ...

"After reading that, (meat) just didn't sound good to me anymore," Fielder said. "It grossed me out a little bit. It's not a diet thing or anything like that. I don't miss it at all."

Just in case you aren't obsessed with sports like I am, the 23-year-old Fielder is the youngest player in history to hit 50 home runs in a season, and is one of the most talented, exciting young players in the game. Not a bad spokesperson for vegetarianism!

The cool thing is, Prince isn't the only pro athlete going all not-a-nugget on us these days. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is calling himself a vegan lately, as is Salim Stoudamire of the Atlanta Hawks. Raja Bell of the Phoenix Suns, Ricky Williams of the Miami Dolphins... the list goes on. And that's without even mentioning Carl Lewis—only, oh, the greatest American athlete of all time, who won 9 Olympic gold medals and said that his best year of competition was the year he went vegan. Powered by tofu, indeed.

I gotta tell you, I've been following sports for a long time, and I've never seen so many vegetarian athletes coming out of the woodwork like I have in the past year or two. And it makes sense if you think about it. Pro athletes are, for the most part, young people—and young people, as we all know, get the deal about animals not being food.

Between the Patriots choking so bad in the Super Bowl that they needed the Heimlich, and my fave athlete of all time, Pedro Martinez, turning out to be a friggin' cockfighter, I've been needing a nice, posi sports story lately—and I think a 260-pound vegetarian who hits home runs like he's on the Xbox with a cheat code is just what the doctor ordered. Thank you, Prince Fielder. Now bring on spring training!

So who's the best veg athlete on the planet? Hit me with some comments.

-Dan

Posted by Marta

The peta2 Week In Review February 22, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Good day! I wanted to do a little review of what's been going on this week so check it out.

• Grocery chain Harris Teeter announced groundbreaking improvements to its corporate animal welfare standards.

• In collaboration with PETA UK, Topshop unveiled a huge store display window condemning the exotic skins trade on London's busiest shopping street!

• Our tour crew continues to rock out and educate people on tour with Cobra Starship.

• Consumers around the world are still shocked to know that 143 million pounds of beef were recalled including at least 37 million pounds which were used for school lunches and other federal nutrition programs. And the government is admitting that they really don't know how common this problem may be! Seems like a good time to get your school to add healthy, humane vegetarian and vegan options, so do it! We're always here to help! (This funny video about this whole case is amazing, by the way.)

• More hot anti-fur ads exclusively on our MySpace.

• H&M decided to take a stand against "mulesing" of sheep for the wool industry. They even posted a statement on their website. Email them at info@hm.com to say thanks for speaking up for the sheep (H&M refuses to sell fur, too, by the way!).

Enjoy the weekend!

-Pulin

Posted by Pulin

My Confession February 22, 2008

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

I have a weakness. You know how a lot us have a weakness for cute boys (or girls)? Well, I have a weakness for cute vegetarians. It's true; I admit it. Don't judge me! I practically melt into a puddle of cute-induced ooze when I see Milo "No Meat for Me" Ventimiglia's face grace my computer screen. And Miley Cyrus can't help but make me happy by being a huge star who doesn't eat anyone with a face. And don't even get me started on all the vegetarians I know in real life!

There is nothing more adorable than someone who wears his compassion on his sleeve by leaving animals off of his plate. So you can imagine that peta2's Cutest Vegetarian Alive contest makes me oh-so-happy each year! It's time for our third annual contest, and I can't wait for the entries to start pouring in! I can only imagine how many times I'm going to say "OMG!" and "She's totally cute" and "He's adorable!" over the next few weeks...

Alas, I won't be choosing the ultimate winner, as all of you will have to vote on who the winners should be. Cute vegetarians are everywhere, so this should be simple! Now's the time for you to nominate your best friend who always orders the veggie sandwich when you're out, or your boyfriend the Boca burger buff, or even you, the Riblet fanatic of the century (don't deny it!). For inspiration, check out this crop of cute vegetarians:

Okay, okay, so that's really a bunch of my friends and me, but you do think we're all cute vegetarians, right? Right?!

Anyway, get to nominating, so we can get to oohing and ahhing. For real.

♥ Marta

PS - Ryan, you better not try to nominate yourself. We're so on to you!

Posted by Marta

TOPSHOP LOVES PETA UK February 22, 2008

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Today's blog features guest blogger, peta2 UK's Violet...

PETA UK seem to be taking over the high street recently! Topshop have just this morning unveiled their latest animal friendly window display in their flagship store in Oxford Circus, London's busiest shopping street! The window gives a clear message on their stance on exotic skins and reads, "Exotic skins make our blood run cold. Join Topshop and leave wildlife out of your wardrobe."

So what's all the fuss about exotic skins?? Well, every year millions of snakes, lizards, alligators, and crocodiles are killed for so-called fashion. Farmed alligators are kept in tiny structures that reek of rancid meat, alligator waste and stagnant water. They are sometimes beaten to death with hammers. Snakes are often skinned alive, and larger animals like pythons have hoses inserted into their mouths to force vast amounts of water into their bodies, which loosens their skin and makes skinning easier. Their peeled, writhing bodies are then discarded, and they die slowly.

Topshop, we salute you! I for one will be there on Saturday spending my 100 pound gift voucher that my (imaginative) boyfriend got me for Christmas. Thanks Alan!

Happy Shopping!

*Violet
x

Posted by Patricia

Free Stuff Friday: Amazing Meatless Jerky! February 22, 2008

Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 174 ) | TrackBack

If you're like me, you're constantly in a rush in the morning. Breakfast is something that never happens before I leave the house. I have lived on granola bars and water in the mornings for years, but sometimes I need more protein to get my day started. Enter Meatless Primal Sticks.

This meatless jerky fills you up AND has the power to turn even the most skeptical of meat eaters into vegetarians!

Don't believe me? Want to try it out? Want an entire month's worth of breakfast for free? We have three boxes of Meatless Primal Sticks smoked flavor to give away!

To be one of the three to walk away with a huge box of vegan jerky, comment below and tell me who you would like to see eating these Meatless Primal Sticks. I want Al Gore to eat them, see how good they are, and become a true environmentalist by going veg.

This contest ends March 7, 2008 and the winner will be chosen and notified by March 14, 2008!

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.

Good Luck!

-Ashleigh

Posted by Ashleigh

Harris Teeter Victory February 21, 2008

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You may remember that Safeway recently announced some pretty significant improvements to its animal welfare standards. Well, Harris Teeter, a subsidiary of Charlotte-based Ruddick Corporation, which has nearly 200 stores in seven states—has announced groundbreaking plans to improve conditions for some of the animals who are killed for its stores. According to the company's new plan, which places it at the forefront of the grocery industry regarding animal welfare, Harris Teeter will do the following:

• Give purchasing preference to suppliers that use or switch to controlled-atmosphere systems—the least-cruel method of bird slaughter, begin purchasing 2 percent of its turkeys by the fall of 2008 from suppliers that use this method, and increase its purchase of chickens killed by controlled-atmosphere slaughter systems by 5 percent over each of the next three years (for a total of 26 percent).

• Give purchasing preference to suppliers that are phasing out gestation crates—restrictive metal enclosures that confine pregnant pigs—and increasing the amount of pig meat that it purchases from suppliers that are phasing out gestation crates by 10 percent in 2009, 15 percent in 2010, and 20 percent in 2011.

• Introduce a new line of Harris Teeter-branded cage-free eggs, give purchasing preference to producers of cage-free eggs, increase the amount of cage-free eggs that it sells from 6 percent to 9 percent by 2009, and work toward increasing that amount to 12 percent in 2010.

What does this all mean? Basically, as an individual and as an organization, it's without a doubt best to not eat any flesh or eggs. Animals don't have "meat" on their bones for us to consume—it's a part of their bodies! And they don't lay eggs for people to steal and eat—it's actually part of their menstrual cycle. However, it's by far better to have Harris Teeter make these changes at the corporate level as standards for farmed animals become gradually better than to make no improvements at all. So we commend Harris Teeter for taking a step in the right direction.

-Pulin

Posted by Pulin

To Adopt or Not to Adopt? That is the Question! February 20, 2008

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

Looking at the news today I find it alarming that there has been a sudden increase in the sales of reptiles due to the David Attenborough program on BBC1, Life in Cold Blood. Now don't get me wrong, I have watched most of the series and it is amazing, but I can't see how and why after seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat you would then want to confine them to a shortened, miserable life in captivity.

On a different note, with the current release against the AKC I thought I should mention the UK. Millions of animals go through shelters in this country and by buying from a breeder you are putting a dog that would otherwise have had a chance of being the perfect companion to death. Both me and Violet in the PETA UK office have rescued animals. So I though we should introduce you to them.

Check out Delilah. Basically she rocks. She's a 2 year old American Bulldog who we rescued from this shelter. After searching for ages and waiting till my home life was right to commit to 2 hours walking a day and the inevitable expense of food and vet bills we went to meet her and she is a crazy.

This is Dorian (aka Mr. Cuddles). According to Violet, he smells like cherries, he's very handsome and he's gay.


Peace

Martin

Posted by Marta

The Really, Really Ridiculously Good Looking Tour, Part 2! February 20, 2008

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We are still out on tour with Cobra Starship on the Really, Really Ridiculously Good Looking tour talking about the Chinese fur trade and what we can do to help stop it. This tour has been one of my favorite tours for many reasons. The main reason is because of how awesome all the kids are who have come out to the show. I also love all the flashy fur-free clothing everyone is wearing. If you came out to one of the shows already, thank you so much for being so awesome.

Speaking of Really, Really Ridiculously Good Looking, we were at the peta2 SG Party in Hollywood. If you haven't yet make sure you check out our pictures and look at all the awesome ads they did for us.


I want to throw a big shout out to Video Matt from Synthesis Magazine for doing an awesome interview with John and me about our fur campaign. You should make sure you check out the video here.

Man, I love my job, and I bet you would love it too. You all should apply for one; you would get to do awesome stuff like this.

- Paul & John

Posted by Marta

VICTORY: H&M Shuns Cruelty to Animals! February 19, 2008

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Today's blog features guest blogger peta2 UK's Violet

Photo credit: Curbed/Creative Commons

H&M stands for Hennes & Mauritz! But we think it should stand for Hurray & Marvelous!!! Because after discussions with PETA US about how lambs in the Australian wool industry are mutilated during the "mulesing" procedure, they've made a company policy to source wool from outside Australia. H&M is committed to ensuring that any wool it purchases from down under doesn't come from farmers who still practice this barbaric procedure.

For those unfamiliar with mulesing: Australian farmers breed sheep to grow extremely wrinkly skin so they produce more wool, these folds of excess skin collect urine and moisture in the hot weather and attracted to the moisture, flies lay eggs in the folds of the skin. To prevent the hatched maggots from eating the sheep alive, many Australian ranchers use gardening shears to cut huge chunks of skin and flesh from lamb's backsides (without any painkillers) in this cruel practice. If that wasn't enough, after all that, when the sheep are no longer producing enough wool, they are crammed