peta2 Exclusive from PETA VP Dan Mathews! March 21, 2008

Posted by Marta at March 21, 2008 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

We have a very special treat for you today—a guest blog from PETA VP Dan Mathews himself. Be sure to check out his MySpace page to see where you can see him at a bookstore near you starting Monday. Enjoy!
-Marta

Attention anybody who eats vegetables but parties like an animal: join me at a book store near you! I'm hitting the road over the next month, from San Diego to Vermont, to do readings and signings of my twisted animal rights memoir Committed—out now in paperback (see blurbs below from Pink, Morrissey and the Hipster Book Club). The readings are always a blast and attract all sorts: young pierced trendoids, radical grannies, and vegan homos like me!

The book is a breezy read and explains how I first empathized with animals after I realized the bullies who beat me up in high school were the same thugs who mangled the alley cats behind our dumpy apartment. It also reveals some of the ups and downs of being on PETA's front lines, including my favorite jails, my least favorite costumes and the most interesting freaks I've encountered along the way! Maybe you are one of them. Check out this sample chapter—which disses furry Madonna and shows how Morrissey first got involved—exclusive for peta2. And come to my MySpace page for a list of dates.

Hope to see ya soon!

"Mathews writes with the infectious exuberance expected from a sunny California punk rocker, and he almost makes readers wish they were present for the demonstrations and the break-ins perpetrated by PETA. Charming, breezy, and thoughtful, it's easy to forget that Mathews is the vice president of a highly provocative animal rights group. But despite the occasional descriptions of animal cruelty, Committed is a lively romp through an oft-misunderstood sub-culture that may just change people's minds about the way they eat and what they wear."
-Hipster Book Club


"Hilarious! It's like James Bond with freaky costumes, police chases, jet-set intrigue, and a kick-ass sense of justice."
-Pink


"Twenty years on I am still in awe of Dan. Every single day of his life he is in a different corner of the world saving animals—none too big, none too small, none too far away. Dan is there, getting arrested, causing a flurry with the press, and his success stories are phenomenal. He is the ideal American hero."
-Morrissey

-Dan Mathews

Michelle Star - Fur Is Dead! March 21, 2008

Posted by Lara Sanders at March 21, 2008 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

Hey guys! I have another "Fur Is Dead" supporter for you...the lovely and talented, Michelle Star! Michelle is a cutting-edge music and fashion photographer, who has worked with everyone from All Time Low to Pink to Plain White T's.

She also shoots for clothing companies like peta2 fave Skelanimals, and shot all of the gorgeous "Fur Is Dead" ads you have been enjoying these last few weeks.

Take a peek at Michelle's beautiful self-portrait below, and then check out our Q&A with her!

What do you define as your personal style?
I am influenced by a lot of independent designers and the music industry. As far as clothing goes, I keep it simple, but like wearing a lot of different accessories. Even though I wear a lot of black, I like incorporating color into my style by dyed hair, tattoos and accessories. It's hard to define a person's style, but overall I like being creative and unique. Being that I am a photographer, I am drawn to interesting people, and love being creative in everything that I do.

Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
I would just say wear what you feel comfortable wearing that goes with your personal style, and don't try to wear things other people do just to try and fit in. As far as what not to wear I am sure there are a million things I could say, but I am going to stick with not wearing fur.

Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
I wouldn't wear my dog's fur so why would I wear fur from any other animal? I think it's cruel to kill animals for fashion. Every creature should have a right to live free from pain and suffering.

What is your favorite animal? Why?
When I was younger my favorite animals were panda bears and polar bears because they are just so cute, but I fell in love with dogs once I got an Italian Greyhound. She is so playful and loving and has a personality of her own.

Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
I like a lot of different pastas and I am also a big fan of edamame.

Thanks girl! I actually just met Michelle at SXSW and she is just as cool in person as she sounds. Speaking of cool, have you played our new Skelanimals Quiz yet?

xoxo-Lara

Pink Pipes Up for NYC Carriage Horses January 17, 2008

Posted by Patricia at January 17, 2008 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBack

You may recall that our dear friend Pink launched a billboard in Times Square earlier this month asking New York City residents and visitors to say no to horse-drawn carriage rides. It's kinda like the old "Say NO to drugs" campaign, except that people may actually say no to horse-drawn carriage rides—when they learn about the cruelty involved.

After seeing carriage horses inhaling exhaust, which veterinarians have shown causes them to develop lung disease of the sort that heavy smokers can expect (And when's the last time you saw a horse smoking?!), and dodging traffic on crowded, noisy NYC streets, Pink jumped at the chance to spread the word about what these animals endure in the name of entertainment. Actually, she already does it on her own, but this new campaign is, shall we say, a bit more official.

Never one to hold her tongue (just one of the many reasons we love her), Pink makes sure everyone knows exactly what she thinks of carriage rides. "Every time I see a horse-drawn carriage in a concrete jungle, I point and yell 'ANIMAL CRUELTY' at the top of my lungs to try to make the driver and occupants as uncomfortable as possible. And I'm blessed with an unusually loud vocal box," she says.

"It honestly hurts my heart when I think of what those horses must be feeling, as far as anxiety and fear, and how unnatural and wrong it is for these animals to have blinders on, trodding up and down on concrete, while taxis blare and people scream. It's absolutely unnatural and ignorant of us to continue this outdated tradition. What about this is romantic?" Our thoughts exactly!

This week, Pink's been visiting the Big Apple to further champion the plight of carriage horses. Yesterday she held a press conference to point out the many problems and cruelties inherent in the carriage horse industry. She also posed for photos in front of her billboard with New York City Council Member Tony Avella, who introduced legislation to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city. Pink even took her message to late night TV and educated Conan O'Brien's viewers last night.

Now it's your turn: Just say "No" to horse-drawn carriages. Join Pink and Council Member Avella in the fight to ban horse-drawn carriages in NYC by signing this petition to Mayor Bloomberg today.

xox

Patricia

Pink's Billboard Launched in Times Square January 4, 2008

Posted by Nicole at January 4, 2008 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Pink is awesome—agreed!? Wanna know just how awesome? Well to make sure everyone in NYC knows her position on horse-drawn carriages, she went all out. In fact, the girl went to such great lengths as to put her face on a billboard that's undoubtedly going to garner a ton of attention...which is precisely the point, m'dears!

Hardcore animal activist, Pink, understands the horrible cruelty and danger that goes into horse-drawn carriages. Horses are forced to pull lazy-asses around a loud, busy, and overly crowded city. Sure, millions of New Yorkers and tourists who visit the Big Apple every year love this environment (Hell, I love it too!) but it's no place for a horse. They just don't belong there and New York City Council Member Tony Avella agrees. In a ground-breaking move, Avella has introduced legislation that would ban horse-drawn carriages in the city. Pink was quick to get involved and is encouraging others to do the same.

In case you're not familiar with the dreadful abuses that occur in this outdated industry, check out the Blinders movie trailer here. The horses used for carriage rides are inhaling exhaust, dodging cars, and forced to work all day even during weather extremes. Not to mention the fact that the list of traffic disasters in which people have been injured and horses have died, just continues to grow.

Now join Pink by saying horse-drawn carriages need to be banned in NYC! You might not be famous enough to flash your pearly whites on a billboard in Times Square, but you most definitely can help by signing the petition today!

Cheers, m'dears-
nicole

Pink Throws a Dog Party! October 16, 2007

Posted by Patricia at October 16, 2007 9:24 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack

The big party in LA this weekend wasn't for a movie premiere, and it wasn't for a CD release either. No the party to be at this weekend was Pink's dog party! Yes, that's right, a dog party.

Pink helped kick off the launch of PETA pres Ingrid Newkirk's latest book, Let's Have a Dog Party, at her LA home on Saturday complete with cake and nonalcoholic pink champagne for all her guests, doggies too!

About a dozen dogs—including Pink's— romped and played together, tearing apart piñatas and jumping into the pool. Others partying with the pooches included, Ingrid Newkirk of course, Pink's hot hubby Carey Hart, who recently posed for a new peta2 "chained dog" PSA, John Feldmann, CSI's Jorja Fox and her yummy co-star Eric Szmanda (he's my fave CSIer), Bill Maher, Weeds' star Brad Pitt, I mean Kevin Nealon, director Dave Myers, Corey Feldman , and PETA VP Dan Mathews.

The book really is about how to plan parties for dogs—bark mitzvahs, luaus, Fido fiestas—but it's also packed with tips about how to make sure your dog is truly happy. Ingrid says, "Face it, we say they are spoiled, but most dogs are bored stiff. They don't want to eat off fancy china and don't care if we buy them more sweaters than J. Lo. What they need is our undivided attention, love, long romps off the leash, and steamed veggies and peanut butter to replace that dull daily dollop of dog food. Oh, and every dog deserves a party perfectly designed to fit their particular personality and temperament!"

I'm super excited about the book, not only because it's going to bring joy to the lives of many dogs, but also because several stories about the most perfect dog in the universe, Bailey "Poughie Bear" Trostle, grace many of the pages. (I'm not biased at all, everyone who knows her agrees.) If you have a dog in your life, order a copy.

Check out the festivities.
















xox

Patricia

Joaquin Phoenix: Defender of Sheep September 13, 2007

Posted by Patricia at September 13, 2007 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Photo courtesy of Star Max Inc

There are two things you can count on in life...paying taxes and Joaquin Phoenix. (OK, there are actually many more things you can count on, I know, but I'm making a point.) And you can always count on Joaquin to: A. give a stellar performance—they don't just nominate any schmuck from the local community theater for Oscars and Golden Globes—B. look totally adorable C. speak up for animals.

His latest good deed comes in the form of a letter he penned to Australia's Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran about the cruel treatment of sheep by the Australian wool industry. See, contrary to popular belief, sheep don't just spend their days hanging out, grazing without a care in the world, waiting to be sheared or shaved. It is a pretty picture, but not at all accurate.

Each year, millions of sheep raised for their wool in Australia are mutilated without receiving veterinary care or painkillers. Many sheep and lambs die from disease, neglect, starvation, and exposure, just so someone can buy a crummy sweater or coat. The Aussie wool industry say they'll phase out the hideous practice of mulesing, which is cutting huge chunks of flesh from lambs' (lambs!!!) backsides to prevent maggot infestation by 2010, but they could ban the practice right now and switch to humane methods that other farmers are currently using.

That's where our hero Joaquin comes in. He's asking McGauran to "step in and push the wool industry to do the right thing" and to "put an end to the two worst abuses of sheep who are raised for their wool by banning both mulesing and the export of live sheep to the Middle East."

And here's where you come in, let Australia's Prime Minister hear from you. We've done all the work for you, you just need to fill in a few spaces and click send. Come on, it's for the sheep and the lambs...think of the lambs the next time you're shopping and boycott wool.

Our good friend Pink was also completely outraged when she found out what was happening to sheep so check out her expose of the Australian wool industry.




xox

Patricia