You Are In The Newspaper! September 30, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 9 ) | TrackBack

If you went to a concert from May through August of this year, you probably signed the peta2 petition for the Woof campaign. Thank you for that—you're helping to make headlines!

I know sometimes your lazy, pessimistic friends ask you what good it'll do to sign a petition at a show or online. Well, let me tell you something—it does a lot! We sent every single one of those petitions from Warped Tour, Mayhem Festival, and other shows to Hormel's corporate headquarters last week. You can read the press release here. This was in response to an investigation which found truly terrifying abuse of animals at an Iowa pig factory farm which supplies piglets who are raised and killed for Hormel products. If you haven't seen it yet, you should look at this.

Along with sending the petitions to Hormel and other meat companies, we explained that 275,000 of you took the time to ask for pigs to be given better protection. Considering it's illegal to be cruel to a dog, why would it be ok to abuse a pig who suffers just the same?

I just wanted to let everyone know that the petitions became a top news story in the local paper of Hormel's hometown of Austin, Minnesota! That means that their corporate employees are finding it that much more difficult to justify the cruelty seen in this video, and we're really bringing the pressure against companies! It also goes to show that people do care about animals and want to stop cruelty to animals. Read the full news article here.

Thank you all! Now go brag to your parents, friends, and family that you're helping make a difference!

-Pulin

Cut Out Dissection Month Starts Soon! September 29, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 30 ) | TrackBack

That's right—Wednesday, October 1st, marks the beginning of "Cut Out Dissection" month!

Dissection seems incredibly archaic to me. I can't believe some teachers are still asking students to cut up dead animals as a way to learn about life. I mean seriously, dissection sounds like something from 1958, not 2008. Plenty of alternatives to dissection exist—and would be cheaper for schools in the long run—so why aren't they being used?

Students need to speak up, that's why! Let your teachers and administrators know that you aren't OK with cutting up animals. Things will only change when people realize there's a problem. We have a great way to get you started—check out peta2's "Cut Out Dissection" month calendar! We have something for you to do each day during the month in October to help animals used for dissection.

Click here to download the calendar.

This calendar should keep you pretty occupied this month, so be sure to keep track of everything you do and e-mail us at StreetTeam@peta2.com at the end of the month for a ton of points. Five ridiculously awesome people will also win a special prize pack. By emailing in, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions. We'll let you report in until November 7, 2008 and we'll notify winners by November 11.

One more cool thing: TeachKind is giving away The Digital Frog 2.5 from Digital Frog International—an interactive virtual frog dissection. Pass along this link to your teacher for him or her to enter to win a copy (don't enter yourself—this is for teacher's only!)! And have him/her enter quick, because the contest is over October 3rd!

Remember, you can make a difference. We hear from students all the time who've gotten dissection choice policies passed at their schools. Which one of you will be next?

♥ Marta

PS - If you haven't yet, be sure to check out "Classroom Cut-Ups".

Hug A Vegetarian Day Was Phenomenal September 29, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 13 ) | TrackBack

How was your Hug A Vegetarian Day? Mine was pretty great. I gave and got some real life hugs and sent e-hugs to friends and family. The day overall was an international success with tons of people signed up and reports coming in from all over the world! Some people have reported getting literally hundreds of hugs at school. Wow, and I thought I was friendly!

Since Hug A Vegetarian Day, I have been looking through a ridiculous number of photos from everyone! If you haven't already sent in your photos, please do it now using this form. We're going to put them all online on Flickr and give everyone on the Street Team 2,000 points for their nice work!

Here's a nice sample of photos which shows how creative, dedicated, and compassionate you all are. I am beyond impressed with the Street Team, so congratulations to everyone.

Oh and don't forget that the next annual International Hug A Vegetarian Day is on Friday, September 25, 2009. Mark your calendar!

We've already got some tricks up our sleeve for next year. For now, don't forget those photos!

-Pulin

Shirley Manson Does It... Terminator Style! September 29, 2008

Posted by Shannon Phillips | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Friend to peta2, Shirley Manson, has been appearing at a television near you on Fox's series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles as a T-1000 liquid Terminator Robot. Yes, it's true! Tonight will be her third appearance on the show, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what she does next. Did anyone happen to see the episode where she morphed into a urinal? I don't make this stuff up, guys!

You may know Shirley Manson as the beautiful and talented lead singer of the band Garbage. I don't know about you, but every time I hear "Vow" or see the video for "I Think I'm Paranoid", I am reminded of why I love Garbage so much.

Even better though, is the fact that Shirley is not quiet when it comes to letting fur wearers know exactly where their coat came from. This ad is personally one of my favorite ads we've ever done.

Shirley thinks fur is garbage (I know, we're clever!), and hopefully you do too. Take the pledge against fur if you haven't already, and be sure to check her out in action tonight, September 29th, on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles at 8 pm on Fox.

xo,
Shan

Free Stuff Friday: Top Ten Reasons to Hug a Vegetarian! September 26, 2008

Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 182 ) | TrackBack

Happy International Hug a Vegetarian Day! Have you hugged all your friends yet?

In case you're a little hug-shy, I have compiled the top ten reasons you should hug your vegetarian friends today (and everyday)!

10. If it's true that you are what you eat then vegetarians are the only ones worth hugging—would you really want to hug rotting meat?

9. Gorgeous people like Davey Havok and Alyssa Milano are also meat-free.

8. Vegetarians get to wear the best clothes.

7. Because they're wearing a sign that says to!

6. Vegetarians don't support cruelty.

5. Vegetarians are super cute. (If you need proof, check out the peta2 staff.)

4. Vegetarians are really nice and they will hug you back (unless you are really creepy).

3. Vegetarians are doing their part to help the environment.

2. Vegetarians smell better than meat eaters! (I'm serious—check out this study.)

1. Vegetarians save more than 100 animals every year, just by not eating them!

Now that you're ready to go out and hug all the 20 million+ vegetarians, why don't you grab a "Hug a Vegetarian" shirt to wear while hugging? Better yet, why not enter to win one?

Comment below with your shirt size, your favorite of the designs below, AND the #1 reason you want to hug vegetarians today (be creative!), to be one of the two lucky winners!

Comment now because this contest ends October 10, 2008 and the two winners will be chosen and notified by October 17, 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

Who Is Ready For Hug A Vegetarian Day? September 25, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 22 ) | TrackBack

Aaaah! The big day, International Hug A Vegetarian Day, is so close you can feel the love already! The official date is Friday, the 26th of September (it's always the last Friday in September, FYI), and our interns here in the office are super stoked on it.

In fact, they are so into it, that they started taking these photos to get you all motivated.

How many people are you going to hug? In addition to e-hugs, you can also print out signs here, so don't forget to do that ASAP.

I can't wait to see the photos you send in!

Go forth and get huggy with it, my friends.

-Pulin

Just Say "No!" to Exotic Skins September 25, 2008

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

Have you seen this video which documents the brutal killing (and then skinning) of alligators for use in the fashion industry? If you have, then you have no doubt done the compassionate thing and pledged to never wear "exotic" animal skins. There is nothing fashionable about capturing, beating, and skinning animals.

The good news is that tons of clothing brands have decided to forgo cruelly acquired exotic skins in favor of lovely items that look like they come from animals, but in fact, are man made!

Forever 21 is one of my favorite places to find fake animal skins. Check out the "Alexis Reptile Clutch":

I would use this every day! Looking for more fall fashion advice? Find the best cruelty-free clothing and accessories here.
Comment below and share the best vegan fashions for this fall!

Happy Shopping!

-Ashleigh

10% Wool September 25, 2008

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

Jeff Corriveau has done it again!

Click for a larger version

To check out past installments of the strips, click here.

♥ Marta

Whose Skin Are You In? September 25, 2008

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

Isn't it disturbing to think that wearing the skin of another animal is considered normal by many people? I mean seriously, wearing the skin of someone who was once living and breathing is really sick.

Many people wear animal skins in a misguided attempt to be fashionable, but how can wearing dead skin make you look good (Hello, Hairy-Kate and Trashley)?

I think the problem lies in the fact that many people are just completely unaware of what happens to animals in the cruel skins industry. Honestly, it's weird, but a lot of people don't even realize that leather comes from an animal. We need your help to make sure everyone knows the truth.

We have a brand new video to share with you all, called "Whose Skin Are You In?" It's a great video to share with your friends and family to get them to think twice about whose skin they're wearing on top of their own. Our goal is to get 1,000,000 views of this video on YouTube. Will you help us?

First, watch the video below. Next, embed the video everywhere you can (get the code here). Then be sure to go to YouTube and comment on and favorite the video. And, of course, don't forget to forward the video to everyone you know!

Let's make sure everyone knows that wearing animals is not fashionable. Thanks so much for your help!

♥ Marta

Party Fowl September 24, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack

This week the Road Warriors stepped outside of the concert scene to hit up some colleges in Michigan to help some local animal rights groups accomplish their goals.

At Eastern Michigan University we were helping to ban KFC from campus; yea they're still up to their dirty business. And this AR group already got a veg Bistro added to their dining hall—how sweet is that?

At The University of Michigan we were petitioning to stop primate testing on campus!! No joke. These poor primates are being injected with cocaine and alcohol! Makes you wonder what's going on on YOUR campus, doesn't it?

We even got to hit up an amazing veg restaurant in Ann Arbor, MI, called Seva. We got to chow down on vegan nachos with soy cheese, a chocolate shake, and a Tofurky Melt with roasted red peppers—mmmmmmmmmmm!




Want to make some noise on your campus? I thought so. Get to it!

I'll be in touch. Stay Brutal.

Paige

Breast Milk Ice Cream? September 24, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 36 ) | TrackBack

Have you seen us on the news? PETA's suggestion that Ben & Jerry's switch from cows' milk to humans' breast milk has created quite the buzz!

Media outlets including TMZ, CNN, and The Virginian-Pilot have been reporting on the ethical and health reasons we want Ben & Jerry's to give cows a break and stop using their milk.

Did you know that cows raised for their milk are repeatedly impregnated, then have their babies taken away so that humans can drink the milk intended for the calves? When the mothers' exhausted bodies can no longer provide enough milk to satisfy the industry, the cows are sent to slaughter and ground up for hamburgers.

And what happens to the calves? These babies are generally taken from their mothers within a day of being born—males are destined for veal crates, and females are sentenced to the same fate as their mothers.

Everyone knows that meat is murder, but ethically speaking, dairy is just as bad if not worse in terms of cruelty to animals.

And in terms of straight up logic, who really thinks that human beings should be drinking milk meant for baby cows? I mean, adult cows don't drink the milk of their own species, so why in the world would grown-up humans feel the needs to consume something meant for a calf?

I wouldn't ever drink a cow's milk, camel's milk, or elephant's milk. Luckily, there are great non-dairy substitutes out there like soy milk, rice milk, and even hemp milk for those more adventurous of you.

What do you think of this latest campaign idea? Why do you think people are so turned off by the mere thought of drinking another human's breast milk, but not a cow's milk? We'd love to get your thoughts!

-Pulin

Hug a Vegetarian Day > World School Milk Day September 24, 2008

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

As we all know, it's the most wonderful time of the year, with International Hug a Vegetarian Day right around the corner!

Leave it to the milk industry to go and spoil an otherwise perfectly good week, by creating a ridiculous "holiday" called World School Milk Day. Their clear attempt to ride the wave of success from Hug a Veg Day has not gone unnoticed...

Well, in observation of this nonsense holiday, we've created a little list of the Top 5 Reasons Why Milk Sucks (believe me, we could have done a Top 100 if we had enough time):

1) Got Pus? Milk does. Mmm, deliciously revolting.

2) Cows produce milk for their babies—not for humans. Could you imagine if other species did this? Cats drinking from dogs? Pigs from humans? That'd be freakin' weird.

3) Because those who drink milk share responsibility for the suffering of cows and calves outside the dairy industry, there's essentially a hunk of veal in every glass of milk. Every single veal calf in this country is the child of a cow used for dairy. Hard to swallow, yes?

4) Because soy milk is much more fun to splash around in. Just ask Pulin.

5) Because those "Got Milk?" ads are total B.S. Cow's milk actually increases the risk of, rather than prevents, osteoporosis. I don't think that's what they mean when they say "break a leg".

So all in all, today's "holiday" is just as good a day as ever to give milk the boot. In honor of the fine cruelty peddlers in the dairy industry, I present to you our newest anti-milk ad:

- Ryan!

P.S. - If you're looking for a fun activity to pass the time, click on the U.S. map on this page to see how much pus your state allows! Virginia allows 333,000,000 somatic cells (read: pus) in each glass of milk. I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

Vote for Your Favorite Dumb Comment September 23, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 79 ) | TrackBack

Yes, it's time once again to vote for the best/worst comment we've received at peta2. I'm not really sure what people hope to accomplish by sending us these messages. They must think we cry into our celery sticks when we receive these...

As always, names removed to protect the idiotic parties, and I've thrown some asterisks in the expletives. Enjoy:

1) i f**king love meat it is simply delicious. a medium rare staek drippy with blood makes my day . i cant even go 2 hours with ou eating meat

2) I love meat i love meat i love to eat meat pork beef chicken turkey deer bear frog legs every fish in the sea i love meat and meat loves so f**k off because i am still skinny. oh p.s. i feed my child meat 3 times a day and im muching on a pigs foot as we speak

3) I WULD LOVE A BIG FAT CHOPPED UP JUICY HAMBURGER RIGHT NOW. WITH BACON. N I WANNA GO KILL A DOG.

4) kaylah said "i love bloody steak, eat more chicken!! " chris said "im havin a barbeque, wanna come?" tyler said "i like my steak well done, how bout you?" jordan said "i love pickled pig feet! meat is my life, vegetarians suck!" we love meat. veggies suck. get a life. we hate you. CARROT JUICE SUCKERS!!!!!

5) ... without meat there would be nothing but watter and air on this planet

Which one is your favorite this time around? Vote by commenting below!

♥ Marta

PS - Be sure to check out past installments of "Vote for Your Favorite Dumb Comment" here.

Combat the Freshman 15! September 22, 2008

Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 15 ) | TrackBack

There's a wonderful opinion piece being printed in college newspapers across the country, from the University of Alabama to the University of Hawaii, written by Skinny Bitch coauthor, and all-around badass, Rory Freedman.

The piece takes on the biggest issue incoming students face at school—the tragically common weight gain we call the "Freshman 15".

Well gee, what could possibly be the best way to keep off those unwanted pounds? Why, going vegan, of course!

Click HERE (or on the news clipping above) to view the full piece.

With Rory's signature, no-nonsense attitude, the article rips through the myth that people can be healthy, fit, and beautiful while still gorging themselves on dead animals and things that come out of them. Come on now, you all know that just doesn't make sense. :)

It's a great read, so when you're done, make sure to pass it along to all of your friends!

- Ryan!

P.S. - I know I lost a lot of excess weight when I went vegetarian. How about you?

Zappos.com Sells Fur. Tell Them To Stop! September 19, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 20 ) | TrackBack

Zappos.com is the biggest online retailer of shoes. Have you heard of it?

I've bought stuff from them previously and even just got a pair of running shoes, but I did not know that they sell fur! Sick!

When I heard that Zappos.com refuses to stop selling fur, despite some polite discussion with PETA, I knew it was time to call upon all of you to speak out for animals.

Please send the company a message here demanding that it goes fur-free.

As for me and the new kicks I got from Zappos recently, well, I'm sending them back with the demand of a full refund. I'm not going to back this company as long as it supports the cruel fur industry! Animals killed for their fur often have their necks broken or are electrocuted for their skin. That's flat out disgusting.

The box containing my pair of shoes going back to Zappos with the demand of a full refund until it goes fur-free.

Thanks for signing the petition.

-Pulin

Free Stuff Friday: PETA and peta2 shirts! September 19, 2008

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 387 ) | TrackBack

At peta2, we talk a lot about the easiest ways to be the most effective activists. One simple way to be a great activist is to make sure that you wear animal rights t-shirts as often as possible! They look great, spread an important message, and start conversations. There really is nothing easier. Check out myself, Marta, Shan, Rachel, and Sarah, sporting the best in animal rights clothing:

Want these five days worth of animal rights t-shirts in order to spread the word about peta2 and animal rights? Comment below with your size and your favorite of the five! Three winners will win five t-shirts each! Pretty great, right? I would recommend wearing the "Love Me, Don't Eat Me" shirt first so you can tell everyone to look at our new pig investigation.

Comment now because this contest ends October 3rd, 2008 and the three winners will be chosen and notified by October 10, 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

Turn Up Your Nose at Pork September 19, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 9 ) | TrackBack

The news stories are rolling in everywhere from CNN to the Chicago Tribune as people react to the outrageous abuse of pigs at a factory farm in Iowa.

"I witnessed a bloodbath today. ...I witnessed at least 30 piglets killed today ... Blood soaked the concrete floors." -Investigator's notes

It's difficult to watch, but if there's one thing you do this week for animals, I hope it will be to sign the petition and show this video to everyone you know!

Since it's such a serious issue, we wanted to find a more creative way to encourage you to spread the word. We came up with the tagline "Turn Up Your Nose At Pork," because while pigs are awesome, eating their flesh is not!

Here is an example of how you can use the signs.

You can upload your photo to MySpace, Facebook, or wherever, but if you also upload it here we will give you 1000 Street Team points! And please make sure you add a caption if you post it online that tells people to go to http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/p2_iowa_sows2?c=p23095 to sign the petition.

Download a sign and remember to send your photos to us here. Thank you.

-Pulin

The peta2 Advice Blog! September 18, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Not sure what to do if your uniform contains leather or some other animal product? See what you can do!

I'm in color guard at my school, and I found out that our pole gloves are made of leather! I love being in guard and don't want to quit, but I need gloves. What should I do? - Doesn't Want to Be Left Guardless

For this season, ask your coach if you can purchase your own non-leather gloves that are the same color to stay within uniform. This site has some non-leather glove options. For next season, ask your coach if he or she would consider non-leather gloves to be part of the uniform for the whole team. Explain why leather is cruel, and show them the many skin-free options! - Lara

You'll be surprised how easy it is to get animal-friendly non-leather gloves if you just ask, like Lara suggested. But if the chump in charge of the uniforms isn't understanding of your ethical objection, drop us a line and we'll help you step up the pressure with leaflets, flyers, and other resources. Them fools better recognize, peta2's got your back! - Pulin

This is a tricky one! Most people don't know how cruel it is to wear leather, and even more people are okay with just accepting it as tradition. With so many cruelty-free alternatives made now, it makes your job a bit easier though. You can let your school know that leather comes from cows that are abused, and exploited for silly things like coats, seats, and in your case, gloves. Who wants to wear dead animals' skin? Not me, not you—and I'm sure some of your newly informed fellow color guard members will agree that your school should get an alternative. Hand out leaflets and look online with your school for faux leather gloves! - Rachel

Have a question (that relates to animal rights, of course!) that you're dying for us to answer? E-mail peta2@peta2.com with the subject line "Help me peta2! I need advice!" and your question just may be answered by us in our next advice blog!

Comment with your own advice for Doesn't Want to Be Left Guardless! And to read past installments of the advice blog, click here.

NIN's "The Slip": Signed Limited-Edition Copies Up For Grabs! September 18, 2008

Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 19 ) | TrackBack

Hey, all you Nine Inch Nails fans out there! I've got something extra special for you—five signed copies of The Slip!

Yep, that's right, even though he's in the middle of his Lights in the Sky tour, one of my favorite people in the universe, Trent Reznor, is never too busy to help one of his favorite charities, peta2. In fact, Trent's never too busy to help animals.

katienaas / CC
When he learned that millions of dogs and cats are tortured and killed for their fur in China each year, he narrated an exposé to help us spread the word about what happens to these animals before they're made into clothing and accessories, which are then often mislabeled as other animals and sold all over the world. Thanks to Trent, countless people now know the truth about the fur industry and have sworn off fur for good. You've got to love a guy who uses his powers for good.

He and the rest of the band signed five of the ultra-special limited-edition digipaks for us to give to you, and trust me, it's really hard for me not to keep one for myself...I mean, I would never do that, but it's tempting. Each digipak is numbered and includes a DVD of rehearsal footage of Trent and the boys performing tracks from the album, an exclusive sticker pack, a 24-page booklet, and the CD, of course. Oh, and there are only 250,000 of them in existence. See why it's so tempting?

All you have to do to enter is complete the form below by October 10. If you're one of the fortunate five, you'll be notified by October 14. Good luck!

First Name
Last Name
E-Mail
	Sign me up for peta2 E-News and special announcements from peta2.

By filling out this form, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

Heads up: By signing up here and giving us your details, you're acknowledging that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.

xox
Patricia

P.S. I pre-ordered my tickets for the November 5 Charlottesville, Virginia, show. Maybe I'll see some of you there!

Seeing Is Believing September 17, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

We just released another heartbreaking investigation into a facility that raises pigs for their flesh. Horrifying doesn't even begin to describe it. If you haven't seen the footage of baby pigs being smashed into the ground and writhing in pools of blood, I urge you to take a look. The horrors of the world won't go away until we understand them and take action to stop the cruelty.

Let's be very clear about something though. Abuses like the ones seen at the Iowa pig factory farm are common to the meat industry. Look at our investigation of a North Carolina factory farm where the pigs were beaten, spray painted, and poked in the eyes. At a different factory farm in North Carolina, the pigs were, again, beaten daily, kicked, and vaginally and anally penetrated—as well as being skinned alive. In Oklahoma, the pigs were also beaten, smashed onto the ground, starved, and left to die of illness.

Another group found pigs in Nebraska to be suffering from extreme neglect and mistreatment, drowning in their own shit and piss and covered in open sores. They found similarly neglected pigs in South Dakota, where the conditions were so inhumane that death rates in barns reached as high as 60 percent—and where some pigs were killed by having a water hose placed in their mouths until they burst.

So here's the thing. Beatings, castration without painkillers, drowning in excrement, wasting away with illness, vaginal and anal penetration—these shouldn't be every day occurrences, but they are. Watch those videos! All over the world, pigs in factory farms are suffering just like pigs in Iowa, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and South Dakota—and each time someone buys bacon, ham, sausage, or a hot dog, that person is saying that he or she agrees with how these pigs are treated.

If you wouldn't treat an animal like this yourself, why are you paying someone else to do it for you? That's not a rhetorical question. If you eat animals, I want you to think about it, look yourself in the mirror, and justify why the footage in these videos is acceptable to you.

Please go vegetarian, and if you already are I hope you're more motivated than ever to get active with the peta2 Street Team.
-Pulin

Dude, I Swear I Saw a Giant Chicken on Campus... September 17, 2008

Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack

These were the kinds of conversations students were having at Syracuse University on their way to class this week.

That's because the student animal rights group (SARO), was out in force (with some assistance from peta2 volunteers), to gather signatures to kick KFC off their campus!

You see, there is a KFC located right in their dining hall, and obviously students don't want that. That's why the student group was able to gather over 1,200 signatures on their petition to ban KFC from campus—in the first day! They even got a mention in The Daily Orange student newspaper.


Pretty amazing, right?

Want to organize a similar campaign on your campus? It doesn't matter whether you want to improve the vegan options on campus, obtain alternatives to dissection, or anything else, we're here to help!

Look how much fun it can be!


- Ryan!

(Warning: Graphic Photo) Torture, Tails, and Testicles September 16, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 63 ) | TrackBack

By now, you're likely well aware of how awesome pigs are—remember, they're even smarter than dogs!

That makes what I'm about to share with you that much more disturbing. It's horrifying to imagine any animal being slammed head-first into the ground, right? Imagine this happening to a piglet...

A new PETA investigation of a pig factory farm in Iowa—which breeds and supplies piglets to be grown and eventually slaughtered for Hormel (maker of SPAM and Dinty Moore), has captured extremely disturbing footage of workers abusing sows and their piglets.

In the video, you'll see pregnant pigs kept in gestation crates so small that the mothers-to-be cannot even turn around, workers and supervisors kicking pigs maliciously, beating them with metal rods, and piglets being slammed against the floor to kill them (a "standard practice" in the pig meat industry). Some of the piglets convulsed for more than 12 minutes before dying.

Also documented by PETA's undercover investigators:

• A supervisor repeatedly urinating near crated pigs, his urine running into the only area where food was dropped and animals could lay their heads.
• Dead piglets' entrails removed, ground into a stew and set under heat lamps to grow bacteria. This stew—called "feedback"—was then mixed with feed and fed to the sows.
• Workers cutting off piglets' tails and pulling out piglet's testicles—without any pain killers—as the small animals screamed next to their mothers. Their tails and testicles went onto a pile on the shed floor.

Tails and testicles from baby pigs

This makes me shudder. Seriously, can you believe all this stuff happened before these pigs were even sent to the slaughterhouse?

Watch the undercover video for yourself, forward this investigation to everyone you know, and take action to stop this abuse today!

♥ Marta

PS - Notice the PETA mention at the end of the video. Little did they know!

iPig Discount for peta2! September 16, 2008

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 11 ) | TrackBack

Have you seen the iPig yet? You know, the cutest iPod docking system ever created that we just happen to be giving away?

Does it remind you of a certain other cute pig?

I have some good news for you! The company that makes the iPig is giving peta2 users a $20.00 discount off of the purchase of one! All you have to do is go here, and enter the word PETA when you checkout.

Which iPig do you want the most? I think I would have to take the white one (it goes with the decor of my apartment best). Comment below on which one you would pick!

xoxo- Lara

Magical Creature At peta2 September 15, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 22 ) | TrackBack

One of my coworkers is helping to rehabilitate a tiny, magical creature. So I got the pleasure of seeing this the other day as I was walking around the office!

Isn't that ridiculously awesome? Can you guess what animal this is?

The staff here at the PETA office consists of the most compassionate, hard-working, and dedicated people in the world. They'll do whatever it takes when it comes to helping animals. If you haven't considered it, you should look into our internships to see what it's all about.

And if you're looking for back to school ideas, check out some ideas.

-Pulin

Enter Your Siblings in the World's Cutest Vegetarian Kid Contest! September 12, 2008

Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 11 ) | TrackBack

One boy and one girl will be named the World's Cutest Vegetarian Kids in PETAKids' second annual World's Cutest Vegetarian Kid Contest, so it's time to nominate your younger siblings!

Prizes include: becoming an instant celebrity (when the win is announced to hometown media), being featured in PETA's Animal Times magazine, and receiving a prize pack of PETAKids T-shirts and PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk's book 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals!

Grab your parents and enter the veggies in your family that are younger than 13! The nomination round ends on October 1, so send in your entries today—and be sure to check back in October to vote!

Vegetarian kids are the cutest!
-Ashleigh

Free Stuff Friday: Meat is Murder! September 12, 2008

Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 111 ) | TrackBack

I am positive that all of you out there reading this LOVE the Smiths and Morrissey. (I know that I do!) The Smiths' Meat Is Murder album inspired crowds of people to go vegetarian, and even nowadays, kids are hearing it for the first time and it's making them think.

Want to influence people without having them listen to 'Meat is Murder' on your iPod? Comment below with the animal rights slogan you think is most effective to win a huge stack of 'Meat is Murder' stickers! Five of you will be able to leave a trail of stickers everywhere you go (obviously get permission first!), thus spreading the word about peta2 and animal rights.

Comment now! This contest ends September 26, 2008 and the winner will be chosen and notified by October 3, 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

Vegans Get Married At KFC? September 11, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 16 ) | TrackBack

I know it's a little strange for most of you to imagine that people got married at a KFC. Then add to that the fact that vegans got married at KFC, and you've definitely got some explaining to do! After all, one might ask, "Isn't KFC notorious for selling meat?"

As it turns out, some very well-intentioned and dedicated individuals decided to celebrate their love for each other, as well as their dedication to animal rights by getting married at a KFC in Canada because of a groundbreaking campaign victory just a few months ago.

Most KFCs in Canada have added a vegan chicken item to the menu, and the company that coordinates the purchase of all chickens killed for Canadian KFCs has committed to ensuring the phase-in of the least cruel form of slaughter, controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK), improving audits into KFC suppliers in Canada and forming an animal welfare advisory board to oversee the many changes that will be made. Read all about it and what you can do to pressure KFCs outside of Canada to make changes to reduce the suffering for animals here.

So while we're not quite at the stage where KFC anywhere is offering vegan wedding cakes and other tasty vegan treats (those were imported for this event), it's a definite step in the right direction to have mainstream vegan options at this fast-food restaurant's locations all over Canada. And we totally love the fact that two hardcore vegan animal rights activists would use such a significant opportunity to highlight one of the biggest steps forward for animals suffering on factory farms and slaughterhouses.

-Pulin

P.S.- If you are in Canada and haven't tried the vegan sandwich yet, I'd say it's worth a try.

Wu-Tang Clan's GZA September 11, 2008

Posted by Shannon Phillips | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

Wu-Tang Clan is an animal friendly bunch. Remember the interview we did with Wu's Masta Killa?

This time, GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, appearing in a video for Humane California, wants everyone to know where he stands on Proposition 2. The goal of prop2 is to ensure that factory farmed animals, such as egg-laying hens, veal, and pigs are treated more humanely, and given the space they need and deserve. Proposition 2 will appear on California ballots for the election coming up in November. Check out what GZA has to say about Prop2...

GZA was always one of my favorites (um, Liquid Swords, anyone?), and with good reason!

If you live in California or you want to find out more, check out the Vote YES For Farm Animals MySpace page (they're in our top friends!), and get educated on Prop2.

That said, Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin' to... oh, well I'll let you finish that one.

xoxo,
shan

10% Wool September 11, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

Check it out!

Click for a larger version

To check out past installments of the strips, click here.

♥ Marta

Vote for Your Favorite Dumb Comment! September 10, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 70 ) | TrackBack

It looks like you all love to laugh at the ludicrous comments people make in order to justify the fact that they exploit animals because by popular demand, I'm bringing you another batch of ridiculous comments peta2 has received! Seriously, I wonder if these people actually have any friends.

Same deal as before: Names removed to protect the idiotic parties, and I've thrown some asterisks in the expletives. Enjoy:

1) nobody like u Peta!!! your a homosexual douche bag! meat is good.
infarct i slaughter chicken every morning and drink their blood! your gay! people for the eating of tasty animals!!!!!!! buhahahahahahahahaahahahahhahahahah! Retards

2) are you guys kidding? calling meat eaters planet destroyers? your eating the one thing thats keeping our planet in balance. plants. were helping the planet by keeping a balance on the population of cows. if anything were the people keeping the planet in check. your just eating it away. oh and your a bunch of facsist a**holes.

3) I <3 VEGANS! MORE BEEF FOR US I HATE VEGANS!!! EAT REAL FOOD: CHICKEN TURKEY BEEF PORK AND EVERYTHING ELSE MEAT REALATED NON-VEGANS RULE!!

4) man i support u...syke!!! this is dumb its un healthy and i didnt get to the top of the food chain by eating a goddmn carrot im eating kfc right now and its delicious all the germs is burnt off when there cooked f**k

5) fags i eat meat ieat meat f**k up i give lobotomy s to dogs

Which is your favorite? I know—it's hard! Vote by commenting below.

♥ Marta

FREE "Too Much Poop" Flyers! September 10, 2008

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Did I get your attention? That's the point!

Now that all of you are familiar with our exciting new "Meat's Not Green" campaign, it's time to let everyone else know about it too!

That's why we designed these fun tear-off flyers, intended to draw attention to the massive amounts of waste produced by factory farms and the meat industry.

They're perfect to hang in your dorm room's bathroom, on a college bulletin board, above your parents' toilet, or anywhere else you think people will see it!

Make sure to click here (or on the flyer above) to print yours out now! And don't forget to report back to us (StreetTeam@peta2.com), so that we can award you 200 Street Team points for your efforts. We'll even toss in an additional 300 if you send us a picture!

Fun, right?

- Ryan!

Crashing Donna Karan's Party September 9, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 13 ) | TrackBack

When fashion designer Donna Karan unveiled her spring 2009 DKNY collection this Sunday at New York's Fashion Week, PETA was there with a protest outside and a bit of a surprise inside.

Some of my friends took over Donna Karan's runway show armed with signs that read, "Donna: Dump Fur," and chanting, "Shame!" Check out a photo and read some more here.

They were protesting because Karan used rabbit fur in her collection that is in stores now—despite her promise to stop using fur. The two protesters were quickly taken from the catwalk and arrested, but their message was almost impossible to ignore.

Is Donna Karan living in the Ice Age? Geez! Drop the fur, Donna! You're not trying to dress cave people.

-Pulin

Firefighters <3 Lettuce Ladies September 9, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

Okay, in all fairness, who doesn't love a Lettuce Lady? They go anywhere and everywhere to encourage people to "GO VEG!"

Check out two of our lovely Lettuce Ladies below—they stopped by a fire station in Ossining, NY, recently to pass out some delicious vegetarian sandwiches and pose for some pictures with the firefighters.

Word has it that the firefighters really enjoyed the sandwiches—and of course the Lettuce Ladies were gracious enough to leave them with some vegetarian starter kits, too.

Showing how delicious and fun it is to be vegetarian is a great way to get people to give vegetarianism a try. These ladies are committed enough to sport lettuce to spread a positive message, and I give them major props.

Where else do you think PETA's Lettuce Ladies should pass out vegetarian sandwiches?

♥ Marta

Totally Michael Wants To Say... September 8, 2008

Posted by Shannon Phillips | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack

Totally Michael dropped in to write another guest blog for us. Check it out! - Shan

Whazzuuuuuuuuup!

So a few weeks ago I realized I wasn't really making much of the summer. So I decided to change that and I've gone swimming every day the past week and a half. Hell yes. I suck real bad in the water so I've been trying to learn some sweet moves that most seven-year-olds can already do. Like diving! I'm getting sooooo good. I only belly flop like two out of every three tries. I took a video of it to see how sweet I look.

Check me out!



I'm all blurry in this photo, but I swear I'd look cool if I were in focus. This is one of my many awesome ways to jump in a pool.

So I've got a big tour with Mc Chris coming up soon. It'll be from October 14th until November 26th. The exact dates will be announced soon. I'm pumped as crap. Mc Chris is amazing.

And speaking of October 14th... that's also the day my debut full length album comes out! Whaaaaat? Finally. I've seriously been counting down the days since early Spring. It reminds me of how I felt like the week before Christmas when I was young. If you reeeeeally want to you can go and preorder it here.

Man. Let me talk a little bit about my favorite food right now. It's actually been my favorite thing to eat for the past couple years. Peanut noodles. OMG. I seriously think I'm obsessed. I mentioned, in one of my earlier blogs, this place called Cafe Django here in Bloomington, IN that has some bomb peanut noodles. Now personally I suck at making them. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but my peanut sauce is never as good as Cafe Django's. If anybody has any pointers feel free to let me know! I'm definitely going to keep trying. Or else I'll just walk to the grocery store down the street and pick up some of this.......



Boom! Instant microwaveable tastiness. Sooo good.

Well that's it! I'm not sure when my next blog on here will come out, but if you want to keep updated you should head on over to my MySpace. It'll be, like, soooooo cool. Now here's a nice goodbye picture of your pals Totally Michael and Mickey! Yay!



Holla!

Michael

The peta2 National Conferences! Book Your Spot NOW! September 8, 2008

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

Ooooh boy, are you ready for this?!

That's right; this fall peta2 is taking over both coasts, by organizing full days of workshops and discussion panels about animal rights, followed by the largest anti-KFC and anti-fur protests you've ever seen!

Just imagine it: a fully catered vegan lunch, as many free materials (literature, stickers, DVDs, posters, etc.) as you can carry home, and an opportunity to hang out with tons of people who care about the same issues you do!

We want everybody to be there! People from California, Jersey, Florida, New York, Ohio... everywhere! It doesn't matter if you're a demo-organizing pro, or if you've never even tried a veggieburger—all are welcome!

Both events are on Saturdays, so you've got no excuse not to be there. Gather together some friends, and pack up the car. We'd love to meet you!

You can find all of the details HERE, so what are you waiting for?

- Ryan!

The peta2 Advice Blog September 5, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

Your grandma's a sweet lady, but she doesn't quite get your animal rights activism. What should you do?

My grandma continues to buy me animal products (like wool sweaters and leather shoes), even though I've told her I won't wear them. How can I get the message through to her without being mean? I know she means well. - Doesn't Want to Hurt Gram's Feelings

This is a tough one that we all have to deal with. What worked for me was discussing with my mom exactly what I can and cannot wear as a vegan (she had no idea that I couldn't wear silk). She then passed along this information to the rest of my family when they asked her for advice about presents. With her fully educated on the ins and outs of vegan clothing I have many less returns come holidays and my birthday! If you don't think that same strategy will work for you, I would recommend shopping or looking at magazines with your grandmother and pointing out things that you do and don't like. Make sure to emphasize things like "Oh I love those shoes! And they are made of man-made materials, so I can wear them!" or "That sweater is really pretty but I it looks like it has wool in it so I couldn't wear it". She'll get the hint eventually! - Ashleigh

I agree with Ashleigh! This was a reoccurring issue for me over the years because I wasn't assertive enough to address it with family members. It wasn't until very recently that I finally decided to say something at any given opportunity, but without sounding preachy (that's the last thing people want to hear!) When a family member mentions wool, leather, silk, or fur—I always find a way to mention alternatives. More often than not, if your family is anything like mine, you may be bombarded with questions surrounding your reasons for choosing alternatives to those fabrics. See this as an opportunity for education! Most of my family members had absolutely no idea about what's happening behind closed doors in the fur industry—and unfortunately, most people don't think about the fact that they're wearing chemically treated animal skin (seriously, wtf?) when they're wearing leather. To give you an example of how this can quickly take a turn for the better—my mother is now seeking a pleather coat for the winter, and no longer wears any products that are leather. Good luck! - Shan

Some people can be fairly set in their ways—however, that doesn't mean they can't/won't change! Usually it just takes some patience and time. As Ashleigh and Shan mentioned, be sure to talk up all the animal-friendly alternatives to your Gram. Maybe she doesn't even really realize they exist. Explain to your grandma that you really appreciate her presents, but preventing animal suffering means a lot to you, too, and you, under no circumstances, are willing to wear dead animals. Be firm, but nice. C'mon, what grandparent can't appreciate their grandkid standing up for something that's important to them? - Marta

Have a relationship question (that relates to animal rights, of course!) that you're dying for us to answer? E-mail peta2@peta2.com with the subject line "Help me peta2! I need advice!" and your question just may be answered by us in our next advice blog!

Comment with your own advice for Doesn't Want to Hurt Gram's Feelings! And to read past installments of the advice blog, click here.

Free Stuff Friday: Vegetarian Hoodie! September 5, 2008

Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 2199 ) | TrackBack

I have found the staple for your cruelty-free back-to-school wardrobe. Is it a great pair of jeans or a pair of faux-leather boots?

Well, those are nice, but I'm thinking of peta2's new 'Vegetarian' Zip Hoodie:

Notice how 'vegetarian' looks. Vegans AND vegetarians can rock this hoodie because it says both!

Comment below telling me why you want to wear this everywhere you go for a chance to be one of THREE lucky winners!

This contest ends September 26, 2008 and the winner will be chosen and notified by October 3, 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


P.S. Get ready for this year's International 'Hug a Vegetarian Day' by signing up here, sending some e-hugs, and posting a web banner. My favorite is the one below!

peta2 Does Your Homework For You! September 4, 2008

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

Homework has got to be the single most depressing part about returning to school.

All those nights that could be spent chatting it up on the peta2 message boards or posting our new Meat's Not Green video all over MySpace, instead spent trying to find a way to legally list Wikipedia in your bibliography and peppering your boring essays with lines like "...and that's why geology totally rocks."

Well no longer!

We've posted our new "Homework Help!" page, complete with dozens of properly cited factsheets, scientific articles, and recommended resources to help make your assignments put everyone else in the class to shame!

All you have to do is select the topic you want to research, and we'll pull up all of the info you could possibly need (including all sources and documentation to support your argument)! Pretty cool, right?

So go ahead, show your teacher what a Smarty McNerdpants you can be! You can thank us later.

- Ryan McNerdpants!

Oops, The Animals Ran Away September 4, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

You know how we're always telling you to send us your photos so we can use them here on the blog, right?

Well, Tyler Robinson from Branham High School sent us one of the raddest photos I've seen in a while. Apparently the dead animals from his freezer decided to head on out of there before anyone could devour their flesh! Hopefully that was all replaced with yummy veggie burgers and other vegetarian and vegan goodness once his parents found out!

Tyler's a cool guy. He's solid on the vegetarianism and is working on going vegan since cows used for dairy get abused and slaughtered, too. He tells me that the way he looks at it, meat is both gross (it's a corpse and all that) and unethical. So true.

I also thought I'd ask Tyler to tell me some things he likes about PETA and peta2, and he said he likes the following things most about what we do:

1- peta2 spreads awareness about what is happening to the animals and how they are being treated.
2- There is a wide variety of very graphic videos. If the videos were any different (censored) then people will not get the point or see what is wrong with what is happening to the animals.
3- peta2 has a bunch of bands who are animal rights activists.
4- We can all send letters to companies that mistreat the animals.
5- The ability to sign up for e-mail notifications.
6- The games are really fun too. I downloaded most of them.

So nice work, Tyler. Keep it up. Do you folks like this pic, too? And everyone else, send us your photos!

-Pulin

Vegan Tailgating for Dummies! September 3, 2008

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

Tailgating: It's a tradition as old as sitting in the back of a truck 4 hours before kickoff.

Whether you're just hanging out with friends before the big game, or getting to the Rise Against show super-early to catch a glimpse of those oh-so-cool peta2 staffers setting up their booth, there's never been a better time to show people just how delicious and fun vegan BBQ's can be!

Typical tailgaters (compliments of Flickr/Creative Commons)
So what do you need to tailgate vegan style? Here are some must-have items:

• A solid grill (or an engine to cook on, if you're hardcore)


• Some BBQ-friendly mock meats (think Tofurky sausages, Gardenburger riblets, faux chicken sandwiches, etc.)


• Liquid Smoke! This single ingredient could make or break your BBQ, so don't forget it!


• A cooler full of your favorite drinks (for me, that means vegan root beer floats!)


• The new vegan Doritos!


• Friends (hey, that's what message boards are for!)

So remember, even if you can't tell the difference between a football and a falafel, doesn't mean you can't pre-game with the best of 'em.

Go local sports team go!

- Ryan!

What Did You Do This Summer? September 3, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 10 ) | TrackBack

In the US, we generally mark the end of summer with Labor Day weekend. So considering it's back to school and all that, I wanted to let you know some highlights from the peta2 and peta2 UK staff. I would love to hear what you enjoyed the most about the summer.

Two highlights from my summer: getting to spend time with my sister at PETA (I mention this a lot, don't I?), and wearing a skeleton costume to protest Donna Karan!
-Elizabeth

The best thing that happened this summer was meeting all you guys at Glastonbury Festival, T in the Park, Get Loaded in the Park, Rip Curl Boardmasters, NASS, VFest and Give it a Name. Also seeing Seasick Steve at Glastonbury made it for me.
-Martin

This might seem like a small thing, but it made me so happy: Convincing my six-year-old niece (whom I adore to no end) to try vegan chicken on our family vacation. She loved it, wanted more, and even shouted "I LOVE VEGETARIAN MEAT!!!!!!!" Adorable, right?
-Marta

This was a great summer for me! I got to give KFC "the bird" in Egypt! And, I got to see my favorite band, Radiohead (complete with veg lead singer, Thom Yorke performing live in the middle of a thunderstorm!) It was madness! Madness, I say!
-Ryan

My highlight this summer was visiting an animal sanctuary. I finally got to kiss a pig, and one of them even nuzzled up to me! It was a dream come true—literally. Okay, so maybe it wasn't exactly in the summer—it was in May, but it's pretty much the highlight of my life, so there. A real summer highlight? Getting to sweat it out and meet some of you guys at Warped Tour and Mayhem Festival this year—and seeing huge tough guys sign our petition to help pigs, definitely.
-Rachel

So what was the highlight (or highlights) of your summer, everyone? I had so many that I just wrote my own blog about it here. Here's your chance to brag, though.

-Pulin

90210 Tonight! September 2, 2008

Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

I cannot contain my excitement for tonight's premier of the new 90210. You can say I'm a bit 90210 obsessed. For example: I tell people that I'm related to Steve Sanders; I had a Luke Perry t-shirt (and mourn its loss); and I know just about any 90210 trivia you could throw out at me. Ask me anything. Seriously, comment below and try to stump me!

The best part about the new 90210 is that Jennie Garth comes back as Kelly Taylor! Yes! Here's a bit of 90210 trivia for you. Did you know that Jennie Garth is a vegetarian and PETA supporter? Take a look...

No wonder Kelly was always my favorite. Take that Brenda!

xoxo- Lara

Hug A Vegetarian Day Stuff For You September 2, 2008

Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 23 ) | TrackBack

The last Friday of September is always Hug A Vegetarian Day. (You're supposed to hug and be hugged by vegans, too). This year it falls on Friday, September 26.

In addition to immediately signing up for this special day, here are five ways for you to get involved in Hug A Vegetarian Day 2008.

1) Wear a Hug A Vegetarian Day shirt! There are a couple designs on here.
2) Put a web banner on your page.
3) Send your friends an e-hug.
4) Print out a sign and practice making your most hug-tastic pose.
5) Start training. Yes, that's right. With Hug A Vegetarian Day just a few weeks away, you need to get your arms properly stretched and toned so they are ready to handle that huge volume of hugs. You must also make sure your hugging technique is fully perfected.

This is for serious, people.

-Pulin

Ricky Gervais: Fur Is No Laughing Matter September 1, 2008

Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 15 ) | TrackBack

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

Britain's most loved funny man Ricky Gervais is a huge animal lover (in particular, he's in love with his cat Ollie—pictured below) and has decided to give Prime Minister Gordon Brown what for over the fur issue, by writing him a letter condemning the use of real bear fur for the Queen's Guards' caps (aka those daft tall black hats the guards wear).

pilkipedia.co.uk / cc
In the letter, which you can read in full here, Ricky wrote: "The issue I am writing to you about today is not a laughing matter" going on to explain that black bears are slaughtered for their skins to supply the Queen's Guards' with their ceremonial caps.

Ricky adds: "Won't you please take the necessary steps to replace the bearskins used for the Guards' caps with a synthetic material? I understand and appreciate the importance of uniforms, but continuing to use real fur in the 21st century is inexcusable, regardless of 'tradition'."

Ricky, ever the animal defender, has in the past expressed his disgust over blood sports saying, "I can't stand blood sports or any cruelty to animals. I've never understood why anybody would get off on seeing a bull speared. I wanted to batter those people with a f**king spade." Ricky, that's why we love you—you call a f**king spade a f**king spade.

*Violet

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