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 ( 28 ) | 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 ( 8 ) | 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 ( 365 ) | 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