Get Justin Bieber's "My World" Today! November 17, 2009
Posted by Shannon Phillips at November 17, 2009 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBackSo, I really love Tuesdays. Why, you ask? Tuesdays are "oatmeal day" here at PETA, I work the night shift at an amazing local animal shelter, and it's ALBUM RELEASE DAY! Today's album release day brings us some really awesome (and animal-friendly) artists like Fall Out Boy (check out Megan's blog to win their new CD here), Paul McCartney, Anberlin, OneRepublic, and a personal favorite of peta2 ... JUSTIN BIEBER!
Not only do we love Justin for all his hard work, passion, and drive to be a succesful artist (he's steadily climbing the charts on iTunes), but also because Justin has taken time out of his busy schedule to speak up for animals. Remember this ad and b-roll video we launched in September? If you didn't see it then, check it out ...
Click image to see full size.
If that isn't enough to make you want to run out and buy his new CD, My World, maybe you should try listening to his hit singles "One Time" and "Favorite Girl." Justin's songs are insanely catchy, and it doesn't hurt that he's a cutie either! That said, run out to your local store and pick up My World—out today!
xo
Interview with There For Tomorrow! November 13, 2009
Posted by Shannon Phillips at November 13, 2009 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack
With their debut full length A Little Faster released this year and a summer of Warped Tour under their belt, There For Tomorrow aren't showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, the band is currently on the road on the MANATOUR with our friends in Hit the Lights through the end of November, and then continue on the road with Mayday Parade through mid-December—talk about busy! Despite the busy schedule, There For Tomorrow guitarist Christian Climer was game to answer a few questions about what we love most ... animals! Check it out!
Does anyone in the band have any animal companions? If so, tell us about them!
Yep, we definitely do. Chris has a Jack Russell Terrier that is ridiculously hyper, lol. Jay has two tiny Chihuahuas, and I (Christian) have a Maltese and Poodle mix ... currently really wanting a Yorkie! We all have dogs.
Every year more than 8 million unwanted animals are turned in to animal shelters, and half of them end up being euthanized due to a lack of good homes. If a friend was considering buying an animal from a breeder or a pet store, what would your advice be to them?
I would really push the idea of getting an animal from a shelter, and most times they make better pets anyways because they appreciate you more ;)
Animals used for cosmetic and household product testing endure painful tests and spend their lives confined to cages in laboratories. How do you feel about companies that continue to test their products on animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, and other animals?
I think it's completely inhumane. It is not fair to the animals AT ALL, they are not meant for things like that.
There For Tomorrow doesn't look like a band that would wear fur. The United States gets a majority of its fur imported from China where PETA has gone undercover and filmed workers in the fur industry skinning animals while they're still alive—including dogs and cats. What advice would you give to a friend who told you "it's just a little fur trim"?
I've seen plenty of videos showing such events and it's really disturbing. I don't think I would have to give anyone advice through words. I would most likely just show them footage of where their "fur trim" comes from and how it gets there.
If you had to pick one vegetarian meal or item that was your favorite, what would it be?
I like fries!
What advice would you give to a fan who was interested in getting involved in animal rights?
Visit peta2.com!
What's your favorite There For Tomorrow song?
Zoe's Story September 16, 2009
Posted by Shannon Phillips at September 16, 2009 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBackAbout six months ago, I met an amazing girl with a personality to match, and we quickly became best friends. Like a best friend should, she doesn't care what I look like in the morning, she supports every decision I make, and she's there for me between laughter and tears. My only complaints about our friendship are that she can't go shopping with me, we're unable to go out for fancy vegan dinners, and the strangest of all? She doesn't talk. All of this might sound a little off, but it makes a little more sense when I let you know that my best friend is a dog.
As a regular volunteer at the city animal shelter, Norfolk Animal Care Center, I see a lot of animals come and go, and my best friend is really no different. She came to the shelter as a stray from one of the worst neighborhoods in Norfolk. She was lethargic, scared, had visible scars on her legs and neck, and was a little skinny. While I genuinely love each and every dog that comes through the shelter doors, there was just something different about Zoe. In the beginning, Zoe didn't even want to leave her kennel to go on walks, and she curled up on her bed and slept for the entire day. There was no doubt in my mind that she was depressed, and I wanted to do everything I could to change that for her. Over the weeks, I spent more and more time with Zoe and eventually gained her trust. We went on long walks, played fetch, and the amazing staff made sure that she got her favorite pink comforter to lay on every night at bedtime.
Over the next few months, I showed Zoe to just about every family that walked through the doors looking for a new companion. Unfortunately, a lot of people judged Zoe by her appearance and opted to look at smaller dogs, puppies, or purebreds. After multiple rejections, I started to feel like I was letting Zoe down. More than anything, I wanted someone to give her a chance and a forever home, but little did I know ... that person would be me. After about three months in the shelter, I heard word that Zoe had a chance of being euthanized as no one seemed to be interested, and the shelter was full of other dogs who also needed forever homes. At that moment, I knew I had to do something. I scribbled a note for the shelter manager on a post-it and stuck it on his office door. On May 8th, 2009, I picked up my new companion and we've been inseparable ever since.
It feels so great to know that Zoe has a second chance in life, but more than anything, I wish that so many other dogs in shelters could have that same chance. Every year, approximately 6 to 8 million animals are turned into shelters, and 4 million of those animals are either euthanized or end up in no-kill shelters where they may spend years living in a cage. Many animals come in as strays, but some are even surrendered by their guardians for reasons like "allergies," "we're moving," "can't keep anymore," "too expensive"—there are just too many to list. If there's anything I've learned from Zoe and volunteering at the shelter, it's the importance of spaying and neutering (the world doesn't need any more puppies, trust me!), only getting an animal companion if you have the time, money, and means to do so, and avoiding pet stores and
So if you're looking for a friend and have the time and the means to do so, please adopt a companion from your local shelter—they will thank you with a lifetime of unconditional love.
P.S. In her new life, Zoe loves the PETA dog park, cuddling on the couch, peanut butter biscuits, playgrounds filled with children (she absolutely adores kids), car rides, trying to play with my cats—Mr. Chow and Bean, and grooming my bunny, Princess Bun-Bun. I'm also happy to say that Zoe is now a PETA office dog and comes to work with me every day! In fact, she's curled up at my feet as I type this.
Who is Tyler Huxley Durden? April 16, 2009
Posted by Rachel-O at April 16, 2009 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 11 ) | TrackBackUh, only the cutest dog ever, of course! Well, okay, actually he's the companion of Thomas, a PETA staffer—and he's just probably the cutest dog ever.
Tyler loves baby carrots, chewing fingers, running through the campaigns department at lightning speed, eating doggy biscuits, and all in all, he just seriously loves life.
I don't think there's anyone in the office that doesn't love Tyler—but having him and the other dogs in the office is pretty bittersweet. Upstairs in our cruelty investigations department, our caseworkers see dogs and other animals who live lives the complete opposite of Tyler's—dogs who never know a loving touch or who live their entire lives on chains and dogs who eventually die on the end of one. So often, PETA is the shelter of last resort for animals who are victims of the overpopulation crisis or who are unwanted and suffering from injuries left untreated.
Every year 6-8 million animals end up in shelters across the United States, and of those, 4-6 million get put to death because people don't spay and neuter their animals, and because there just aren't enough good homes like Thomas'.
Thomas adopted Tyler from a rescue that drove him all the way from Oklahoma to DC to find his new home—how sweet is that? There is simply no excuse for anyone not to adopt. Anytime anyone buys a dog from a breeder or a pet store, a dog dies in a shelter—a dog just like Tyler, maybe even cuter. Maybe. The point is, dogs and other animals—whether they're cute or not—aren't things to be bought and sold. Got it? C'mon, you can't put a price on this face!
Although Tyler's life started out rough, I'm sure he couldn't be happier now. Some here in the office say he's even a bit manipulative, and he does seem to get more treats than any other dog in the office. Hmm ...
Okay, he's totally running the show...
Stay loud!Are The Pet Shop Boys Changing Their Name?! April 8, 2009
Posted by Shannon Phillips at April 8, 2009 3:52 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
Music pet stores puppy mills Adoption Pet Shop Boys
Remember when I wrote a very tongue-in-cheek blog about bands who might want to consider changing their names?
One of these bands, legendary brit-pop band the Pet Shop Boys, received a request from our friends at PETA Europe this week, asking the band to officially change their name to the Rescue Shelter Boys.
Rather than be offended by our request, the Pet Shop Boys were good sports and posted a note on the news section of their website that reads:
"The organisation PETA Europe, dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals, has written to Pet Shop Boys with a request they are unable to agree to but nonetheless think raises an issue worth thinking about."
Thanks for raising an important issue, boys! We think it's worth thinking about too. For every animal purchased from a breeder or a pet store, another animal is euthanized in a shelter—not to mention, animals purchased in pet stores are usually raised in puppy mills in filthy, unsanitary, and cramped conditions. Many of these animals suffer from behavioral and health issues, and can be extremely difficult to socialize.
If your family or friends are looking for a new companion, please check your local shelter! Your new furry family member will be very appreciative and you'll have a best friend for life.
O.A.R. Radio PSA and Giveaway! January 26, 2009
Posted by Shannon Phillips at January 26, 2009 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 122 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur Contest O.A.R. Of a Revolution Marc Roberge Adoption
O.A.R. has been on the college radio circuit for quite some time. The band (whose name stands for Of a Revolution) recently gained more popularity with the 2008 release of All Sides, thanks to the infectious single "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)." After learning that frontman and guitarist Marc Roberge has furry companions of his own, we approached him for his opinion on the fur industry, including the hideous dog and cat fur trade.
As we expected, Marc thinks that "any person with a head on their shoulders who learns the truth about the fur industry through this campaign should have a hard time justifying spending their money on fur." With that in mind, he didn't hesitate to record an anti-fur radio public service announcement (PSA) for us! In the PSA, Marc mentions that there are millions of reasons not to wear fur, but the biggest reasons to him are his three dogs at home. You can hear Marc's radio PSA by visiting this link!
Can't get enough O.A.R.? Me, neither! Here's what Marc had to say about his animal companions at home, the fur industry, and how his fans can help:
Do you have any animal companions? If so, what are their names and how did they become a part of your family?
I have three dogs at home, and they run the show. Two terrier mixes and an 11-year-old pit bull have me wrapped around their little paws. They keep us walking all the time, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Our pit was facing the end of the road in an animal shelter in Maryland, so we had to get her out of there and bring her with us when we moved north. I will never forget how happy she was to get in the car with us. To this day, she loves riding in the car.
What are your thoughts about the fur industry, particularly the fact that animals—including dogs and cats—are often skinned alive just to make things like trinkets and fur-trimmed clothing?
I just find it so hard to believe that people find this practice acceptable at all, and they flaunt it. Makes me sick, to be honest. Do people crave attention that much? It is laughable that someone can't see how barbaric wearing fur truly is.
What other animal issues are important to you and why?
I'm sure everyone reading this would agree that all animal issues are important to all of us. Cosmetic animal testing will always be something that kills me though. It is just plain wrong.
Do you have any advice for your fans who want to help animals but aren't sure where to start?
I guess anyone can start getting involved by volunteering at [an animal] shelter. My wife did that growing up, and it definitely shaped a caring side of her that grows deeper every year.
After learning more about Marc, I began to wonder if O.A.R. stood for "Of Animal Rights." Four lucky winners will be chosen to win an assorted prize pack from O.A.R., including signed tour posters, album cover posters, and stickers. Just leave a comment below with your favorite O.A.R. song!
This contest ends February 6th and the four winners will be chosen and notified by February 9th.
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