PETA Still Doggin' Paris and Britney

61. Peta generates a lot of negative press, as part of their marketing strategy. Generating positive OR negative press keeps an issue being talked about such as in this forum.

Peta also generates negative press because they work against big corporations that have well-funded government lobbyists. Companies such as Tyson, Coca-cola, and the large conglomerate pharmaceutical companies, see Peta as a painful thorn in their side. Peta has been the target of arduous audits by the IRS, investigations by the FBI, had their records and memberships subpoenaed, etc.

Let me also state, that Peta or any other animal rights protester has never physically harmed ANY person. Yet, thanks to big company lobbyists, a recent bill passed now says that animal rights protesters can be tried and sentenced as terrorists.

Peta has been an active organization for years and years. Ingrid became involved with animal issues by accident. She brought some young abandoned kittens to a shelter, and was horrified to find out that they had been immediately euthanized. She found that the people who worked at the shelter were cruel. Kicking and abusing the animals as they were being put down was a normal thing. She felt hopeless at the situation. She began euthanizing the animals herself as a means to provide them a gentler death. Since then, she has devoted her life (with minimal pay) to improving the conditions for all animals.

The scandal that people like Berman and others bring up, is that Peta euthanizes more animals than for whom they find homes. These statistics are skewed. Peta is often called in to help when there are situations that involve 'animal hoarders'. This often means that there are 100's of unhealthy cats living in one house, or even thousands of sick dogs in cages at an illegal breeding farm. Peta often does what is best for the animal and puts the dieing animal out of its misery.

What percentage of long term politicians have held office without having been attacked by their opposition for various actions? Very few. Peta has done amazingly well in 'keeping its nose clean' considering the fact that there are so many people 'gunning' for them.

Peta is not an animal shelter. They try to help individual animals where they can simply because they love animals. But Peta's function as a group is dedicated to improving the lives of all animals. Most of us are too busy with our own lives to think about animal issues, let alone try to educate people, and change laws that require factory farms to treat animals with compassion.

Nobody is perfect. I have heard people criticize Habitat for Humanity, Amnesty International, and even the Red Cross. Yet the work that they do to help others is incredible.

I don't work for Peta. But I have been a Peta member since I was 20 years old. I have been a vegetarian/vegan for 19 years now. I credit Peta for reaching me as a young person, and allowing me to see the inside of a factory farm, a puppy mill, or a circus, and think about how my purchases and eating habits affect the environment, and the animals. Thanks Peta employees and volunteers! Thanks Ingrid!

Posted at 4:25PM on Aug 5th 2007 by savetheanimalssavetheworld