peta2 Daily Blog

Introducing peta2's Holiday Survival Guide!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:44:11 -0500

The holidays are coming up—you know what that means! For me, it's lots of Tofurky, vegan pumpkin pie, and spending time with friends—but it wasn't always that way. I first went vegan around Thanksgiving because of how disturbed I was by the dinner centerpiece—a headless, oversized, stuffed dead bird. But let's face it, it's not always easy being vegan around the holidays, especially if you have a family like mine that wanted to know why I wasn't eating their food, what I would eat instead, and why I'd made such a "crazy" decision.

Every year we receive thousands of e-mails from Street Teamers who are facing the same dilemma, and this year, peta2 is coming to the rescue with our brand new holiday survival guide.

Click to check out the guide!

The guide features advice on some common situations you might run into over the holiday season, and it also includes recipes to help you veganize holiday favorites. If you can't win them over with your words, you can definitely win them over with our cruelty-free versions of pumpkin pie, snickerdoodles, and chex mix! Download peta2's holiday survival guide now! It even includes a holiday Nugget poster—who doesn't love that?

E-mail us at StreetTeam@peta2.com and let us know what recipe you made (and for who), and we'll give you 500 Street Team points! Want even more points? Snap a pic with the super-cute Nugget poster that's included with the guide and post it on Facebook or hang it on your locker or door, and send us a pic for 1,000 points!

If you're feeling the pressure and need some inspiration, we've got that covered too. Last Thanksgiving, PETA released our undercover investigation into Aviagen, a company who breeds some of the nearly 270 million turkeys are killed for food every year in the US. Investigators documented employees stomped on turkeys' heads, punching turkeys, hitting them on the head with a can of spray paint and pliers, and striking turkeys' heads against metal scaffolding. The best way for you to fight this abuse is by not eating turkeys, and by using the advice in our guide to help educate your family on why you're choosing to be cruelty free!

Happy (cruelty free) holidays!

Stay loud!
-Rachel

peta2 Rocks the Southwest and the Atticus Tour

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:03 -0500

Hey, kids!

The peta2 College Outreach Team has been enjoying the desert scenery and some great weather in the U.S. Southwest. We invaded the University of New Mexico (UNM) last week, taking the student body by storm in order to get more vegan options introduced into the university's dining establishments. Currently, there isn't too much for a vegan at UNM's campus dining halls, but that's all about to change. The team certainly didn't go hungry in Albuquerque, though. Annapurna World Vegetarian Cafe is just a couple of blocks from campus. There we enjoyed vegan lasagne, vegan Indian dishes, great veggie burgers, and even a mean slice of vegan sweet-potato pie.

Then we took a long drive under wide open skies through the deserts of West Texas to Houston, where we sought progressive young minds at the University of Houston (UH) to help ease the suffering of chickens in slaughterhouses. Nearly 2,000 UH Cougars stepped up to talk about McCruelty. Thanks for the support!

We also took a couple days' break from our college work to jump on the Atticus Tour. The tour features peta2 friends Finch, blessthefall, and Drop Dead, Gorgeous, so we were in great company. We took our McCruelty petition to the shows to inform concert goers about how McDonald's chicken suppliers abuse the animals. Chickens are debeaked at a very young age without being given any painkillers, and they are hung upside down in shackles and have their throats cut, often while they're still conscious.

Be sure to check out blessthefall's new record, Witness, which dropped last month. It seriously rules, y'all! We made lots of new friends during these shows, and we look forward to staying in contact with them in order to keep them informed about the cruelty that our animal friends face every day. Well, that's all from our end. Check back next week for more fun adventures in the touring life of a peta2 outreach crew.

Peace!

—Joey and Daniel

Free Stuff Friday: Tofurky & Gravy Soda!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:31:49 -0500

Boy do we have a doozy for you this week! With everyone gearing up for the holidays, it's prime Tofurky season. And what better way to wash down a delicious Tofurky than with a Tofurky & Gravy Soda? Yes ... you heard right.

Now that it's sunk in, I'm sure you're wondering who the geniuses behind this one-of-a-kind soda are. Well, that would be the folks over at Jones Soda. They teamed up with Tofurky® to create this limited edition party-in-your-mouth. And in case you haven't guessed, this tasty invention is 100% vegan.

This week, you have the chance to win a Tofurky & Gravy Soda Gift Pack complete with 3 bottles of Tofurky & Gravy Soda, three Jones Zilch sodas, and an original Cirque du Tofurky lunchbox.

For your chance to win, comment below with what two vegan food items you'd like Jones to make a soda out of next. Entries must be received by November 27. The two people with the most creative comments will be chosen as our winners and notified by November 30.

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

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

GOOD LUCK!

- Tiffany

peta2 <3's Snails

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:25:14 -0500

wildaboutbritain.co.uk / CC

Alright, so they may not be the cutest or most cuddly (although one PETA campaigner definitely has a tattoo of one) animal. But here at PETA, we're about saving all animals, big and small, furry or slimy, and we're excited to announce that thanks to all of your hard work, Brookstone, a company under fire for allowing frogs and snails to die on their store shelves, will no longer include snails in their "Frog-o-Spheres"! This is a huge victory for those little guys, who were designated "janitors" of Brookstone's tiny animal prisons.

Brookstone recently appointed a new CEO, and we're hoping that this means we're one step closer to getting the company to realize that selling animals as props for entertainment, and warehousing sick and injured frogs in the backroom to languish and die, is cruel. I know—it shouldn't take much convincing, right?

Whether you've written to Brookstone before or haven't yet, please click here to send our automated letter to the new CEO of Brookstone and ask him to stop selling all animals in his stores.

Why should you care about frogs? No animal deserves to be bought and sold like a trinket, after being taken out of their natural habitat or bred in facilities where abuse is common. Treating animals like objects to be used and tossed when the entertainment dulls, teaches people, especially kids—who are the main target of this product—disrespect for all life.

Like we've proven so many times, your letters and calls work. Please keep the pressure on Brookstone and it's new CEO by clicking here!

Stay loud!
-Rachel

Congratulations are in Order!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:17:21 -0500

Last night's star-studded MTVU Woodie Awards proved to be quite the event yet again. Appearances from Pete Wentz , Zooey Deschanel, Leighton Meester, and David Cross made the Roseland Ballroom in NYC the place to be last night. Perhaps the most memorable moment of the evening came from Christofer Drew (a.k.a. Never Shout Never). His acceptance speech for the coveted Breaking Woodie award consisted of just four words—"power to the people!" Well said Christopher!

Christofer Drew repping the peta2 Free For All T-shirt

Another friend of peta2 won an award last night: Tech N9ne (who our tour crew has been traveling the country with). Taking home the Left Field Woodie, he beat out stiff competition like Janelle Monae and Major Lazer.

Congrats to all the winners! I think we should get MTV to introduce a new category next year—Best Nugget in a peta2 Video Woodie. They'd totally go for that, right?

xo
Megan

'Where the Wild Things Are' Star is Veg!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:08:40 -0500

flickr / CC
If you saw the movie Where the Wild Things Are, then you know Max Records—the 12-year-old actor who played "Max", king of the wild things. The Mini Page recently had an article about the young actor and mentioned how, at the age of eight, he led a protest for vegetarian options in his school cafeteria. Sounds like my kinda dude. Who says little kids can't do big things?

If you're wondering, how you can get vegetarian options in your cafeteria, sometimes all you gotta do is ask. Really! Click here for more info.

- Tiffany

Vote for Your Favorite Dumb Comment

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:13:46 -0500

Obviously since a mountain lion likely wouldn't hesitate to kill a person, that means that people should kill and eat fish, even though it's in no way necessary. Makes so much sense ...

You know the drill: Names removed to protect the idiotic parties, and I've thrown some asterisks in the expletives. Enjoy!

1) So wha if they kill chickens everyone does it! - chickens are useless little creatures anyway! so what if they dont wash there hands bet you dont when your makin beans on toast! KFC ROCKS KFC ROCKS KFC ROCKS KFC ROCKS KFC ROCKS KFC ROCKS KFC ROCKS KFC ROCKS KFC ROCKING ALL OVER THE WORLD, AND I LIKE IT I LIKE IT I L L L LIKEEEEEE IT HERE WE GOOOO OHHH LETS KILL CHICKENS ALL OVER THE WORLD

2) The entire idea of PETA is just kind of pathetic. The entire orginzation just sounds like a huge batch of whining girls.

3) peta can suck on my d**k. you are all pu**ies, eat meat its part of the food chain. ALL VEGANS ARE WHORES

4) but i like mcnuggets so im gonna go ahead and eat them in my faviourite restaurant mc.kentucky fried nuggets

5) AHAHA, PETA MEMBERS MUST GET REALLY STONED AND COME UP WITH SOME DUMBA** IDEAS. WHY IN THE HELL WOULD SOMEONE COME UP WITH THE IDEA OF NAMING FISH, WATER KITTENS? I DOESNT MATTER WHAT THEY ARE CALLED, THEY WILL STILL TASTE THE SAME TO ME. AND AS FOR THE STATEMENT THAT THEY FEEL FEAR AND AFFECTION, THATS JUST BULL. FISH WERE PUT HERE FOR COMSUMPTION. IF YOU WERE STARING DOWN A HUNGY MOUNTAIN LION, IT WOULDNT HAVE ONE BIT OF MERCY IN ITS HEART FOR YOU, AND WOULD NOT HESITATE TO KILL YOU FOR A MEAL!

Comment with your favorite below!

♥ Marta

P.S. As always, you can check out past installments of dumb comments here.

Do You "Just" Eat Fish?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:45:37 -0500

—Ryan!

Win a Skate Deck from Pep Williams

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:44:50 -0500

Over the years peta2 has brought you interviews, contests, and PSAs from a number of different extreme sports athletes. Everyone from X Games gold medalist Paul Rodriguez to MTV prankster turned movie producer Rob Dyrdek to world renowned motocross star Carey Hart. Today I'm psyched to introduce Pep Williams. Pep is truly old school, holding it down as a Third Generation Dog Town skater. Check out our Q&A with Pep Williams, and enter to win a limited edition skate deck!

1. Tell us a little bit about where you're from and what you do.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and I'm a professional skateboarder and photographer.

2. What made you want to get involved with PETA?
I went to the pound with my friend looking for a dog. She picked a cool lil dog and she was happy. I was talking to one of the staff and I asked what happens if they aren't adopted. He said they are put to sleep. I felt sick to my stomach; couldn't believe it. The cats and dogs were so healthy. So I decided to try and help in some way, so I reached out to PETA to learn more.

3. Of all of the major animal rights issues what issues are particularly close to your heart?
It all hits close to home, but you will never see me in fur. When I see people in them (fur coats) I just get a cringe in my stomach.

4. As someone who lives on the coast of California and is exposed to lots of marine life, what are your thoughts on the Canadian seal hunt and the fact that every year hundreds of thousands of seals are legally killed for their skins?
I see seals every day. I live by the beach and hear them every morning. I watch them fish. It's a very calming thing to see. Dolphins show up sometimes as well. I think it sucks they are hunted legally. They are such peaceful and playful animals. Anything I can do to help them or any animal I'll be first in line!

5. What advice would you give to young people who might just be getting into skateboarding?
The best advice I can give someone about getting into skateboarding is to just hop on and roll. Just enjoy the flow and cruise.

6. What advice can you give fans of yours who want to be more involved in animal rights?
If you have ever cared about a pet or any animal please find time to somehow find a way to help the ones that don't have homes and are being killed by the thousands daily. Go to PETA and you will learn a lot. I did.

7. What are you working on and what projects do you have coming up that we can check out?
I'm working with my sponsors on putting out new products. I have a new Pro Model on Miramar Longboards that just came out and also a new line of skateboard wheels on Sublime Wheels. Also on the photography side of things, I'm working on a photography book and doing gallery shows. You can see my work on my website and MySpace.

For your chance to win the limited edition, custom designed, Pep Williams skate deck pictured above, leave a comment with why you first wanted to get involved with peta2! The person with the most convincing answer will be chosen and notified on November 25.

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

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

xo
Megan

Get Justin Bieber's "My World" Today!

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:00:18 -0500

So, 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
Shan

peta2 Vs. the Florida College Republicans?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:50:08 -0500

Put your Awesome Hat on—it's peta2 College Campaign update time!

For starters, our Most Vegetarian-Friendly Colleges contest is really heating up, with less than one week left to vote! This past week saw the massive upset of the little school that could—Oberlin College—overtaking the University of Illinois. Was it Oberlin's seitan pepper steak and vegan barbecue tofu pizza that helped push them over the top? Mayhaps. Will it take them all the way to number one? Possi-be.

Further south, the storm at the University of Florida (UF) continues to brew. As you may recall, peta2 recently hosted an event called "Meet Your Meat" at UF, which was well-attended and got lots of people talking. Unfortunately, it looks like the UF chapter of the College Republicans took the wrong lesson from our talk, because shortly afterwards they decided to host a "People Eating Tasty Animals" barbecue on campus.

Now here at peta2, we don't think cruelty to animals is a partisan topic, but we're also never one to pass up an opportunity to discuss the issues. Indeed, we responded in the student newspaper challenging the club to a debate about whether animals should have rights. Word has it that the group is taking us up on our offer, so stay tuned for the event info on that this spring!

Finally, out west, Adrianne (check out her new staff bio!) brought our provocative Liberation exhibit to the campus of Arizona State University (yup—that same ASU.) She worked with the student group there to educate thousands of Sun Devils about why animal rights is the most important social justice issue of our time.

Well, that's it from us! Stay tuned for next week, when we take California, and turn it upside-down ...

—Ryan!

Win the New FOB CD!

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:16:00 -0500

Today is a bittersweet record release day. On the one hand, one of my all time favorite bands is releasing a new record, but ... it's a "greatest hits" album and their last before they go on what some have speculated to be quite a long break. If you haven't guessed yet, I'm talking about Fall Out Boy. Only a few years ago they were just 4 dudes from the suburbs of Chicago playing crappy pop punk in nearly empty VFW halls. Today it's no stretch of the imagination to say that they're one of the biggest bands in the world. And they've been supportive of peta2 from the get go! With long-time vegan Andy Hurley behind the kit, it's not surprising that he's spoken out about the cruelty of KFC and the benefits of a vegan diet.

So in honor of these princes of pop punk who I still adore despite the glitz and glamour and absurdity of it all, we're giving away 2 copies of their new album, Believers Never Die. For your chance to win, leave a comment with the best Fall Out Boy show you've been to. And if you haven't seen them live, make something up! Two winners will be chosen at random and notified on November 24.

I'll kick things off! Of the ridiculous amount of FOB shows I've been to, I don't know if I have a solid favorite, but I'd have to say that the show with The Reunion Show in Atlanta in 2003 is definitely memorable!

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

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

xo
Megan

WARNING: Graphic Pig Farm Video

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:46:32 -0500

Brace yourselves, because this is a tough one ...

Here at PETA, we're used to undercover investigators documenting the gruesome final moments that animals face in slaughterhouses. Surely this suffering alone is reason enough not to want to eat them.

The latest undercover investigation from our friends in Mercy for Animals takes a look at the cruelty animals—in this case, pigs—suffer before their throats are slit. The investigator documented workers hurling baby pigs and slamming them into transport carts; picking piglets up by their ears and tails; cutting off the animals' tails with pliers, and ripping off their testicles with bare hands and without painkillers (the sound of screaming piglets in the video made my skin crawl). Their squealing mothers are shown scrambling to escape workers who slam spiked mallets into the animals' sides.

This is a brutal video to watch, but I ask that you witness for yourself what happens behind the scenes—because these animals need your voices more than ever.

Once you've watched the video, please take the time to comment with the one word that you would use to describe what you saw.

I'm going to go with "despicable."

—Ryan!

Victory! Teacher Commits to Keeping Animals Out of the Classroom

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:36:02 -0500

You may remember when Rachel told you about a high school teacher who allowed gerbils to starve to death in her classroom recently. Check out the update on this from PETA's Liz Graffeo below, and then head over to our Take Charge page to see what you can do to help animals right now!
-Marta

Classrooms are for students, not animals. This is the conclusion that Margaret Barthel, the head of the science department at Tampa, Florida's Freedom High School, has finally come to after an appearance in court this week (which PETA attended in full force!) resulted in Barthel being punished for cruelty to the animals she kept in her classroom.

In Barthel's classroom at Freedom High, several class "pets" were abused and neglected. Of the animals that suffered; nine gerbils died after they were deprived of food and water for more than two weeks, finches died of exposure, and a ball python froze to death. As a result of the cruelty citations, Barthel has relinquished her (still living) ball python to Hillsborough County Animal Services, paid $1,000 for the snake's care, donated $500 to Animal Services and committed to keep animals out of her classroom permanently.

We're hoping that in light of this incident Freedom High School Principal Chris Farkas will heed our calls and prohibit the use of animals in all of the school's classrooms. Please use this form to let him know that students can and do learn about responsibility, animal behavior, and hands-on science without keeping animals on display in their classrooms.

-Liz

Victory! Selfridges Stops Selling Foie Gras!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:17:19 -0500

At a normal office, Mondays can be pretty boring. Here in peta2, we're celebrating a huge victory for ducks and geese—thanks to PETA UK and compassionate consumers everywhere!

Two years ago, PETA UK began urging Selfridges—a major chain store there— to stop selling foie gras. Foie gras is made by force-feeding ducks and geese, often resulting in wounds, and with ducks and geese growing up to ten times their natural size.

Needless to say, anyone who knows right from wrong can see that foie gras is disgusting, and we are thrilled to announce that after years of demonstrations, and thousands of letters and calls from caring people like you, Selfridges has pledged to stop selling foie gras forever!

This towering triumph is proof that every e-mail, phone call, and letter matters. Thanks for speaking up for ducks and geese!

Stay loud!
-Rachel