petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-26--Eating Plant-Based Foods Makes People Less Vulnerable in Pandemics

A growing number of studies are drawing the connection between our food system and global pandemics such as the COVID-19 crisis .
In the U.S. , more than 99 % of animal-derived foods come from factory farms , where animals are kept in cramped , filthy conditions , leaving them susceptible to dangerous pathogens that can spread among them and to humans.1 Animal agriculture has been the source of countless outbreaks of dangerous zoonotic diseases ( those that can be transmitted to humans from other animals ) , including avian and swine flu strains that have killed hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffer as a result of these outbreaks .
Eating meat and other animal-derived foods also harms human health , making people more likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome and other chronic conditions , which increases their susceptibility to infectious diseases .
Having a poor diet typically refers to consuming either insufficient or excess nutrients .
This could mean not eating enough fruit or vegetables or consuming too much cholesterol , fat , or sugar .
Malnutrition is an issue all over the world , including in the U.S .
In fact , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a poor diet was the leading cause of ill health in this country and was responsible for more than half a million deaths each year.3 Experts agree that in order to meet our nutritional requirements , we must eat enough fruits and vegetables .
Unfortunately , fewer than one in 10 U.S. adults and adolescents do so.4 In fact , only 8 % of a typical American ’ s caloric intake is derived from fruits and vegetables—in comparison , almost 30 % comes from animal-derived foods.5 This is problematic , as meat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cholesterol and saturated fat , which can accumulate in the body and cause a variety of health issues , including heart disease , strokes , obesity , diabetes , cancer , and even deficits in brain function .
A major study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology , for example , found that among the 29,000 participants , those who ate the most meat and dairy were at the greatest risk for heart disease.6 Several studies have found evidence that a plant-based diet high in antioxidants , micronutrients , nitrate , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fats can help prevent heart failure.7 Others have concluded that eating plant-based foods can help lower body mass index , blood pressure , and cholesterol levels as well as reducing the amount of treatment needed for chronic diseases.8 Despite this growing evidence that vegan eating is the healthiest option , the majority of Americans continue to choose animal-derived foods over fruits , vegetables , and other plant-based options .
As a result , fewer than one in five American adults is metabolically healthy and most suffer from a slew of diet-related diseases.9 In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 18.5 % of children are obese,10 and obesity-related types of cancer are growing among young adults.11 More than 100 million Americans suffer from diabetes or prediabetes , and one in three children born after 2000 is expected to develop type 2 diabetes.12 There are 122 million Americans suffering from heart disease , and over 840,000 people die of it each year.13 The negative impacts on human health don ’ t stop there—eating animal “ products ” can also result in an increased infection risk during a global pandemic .
What Difference Does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold , it became common knowledge that elderly and immunocompromised people are most at risk of dying from the disease .
However , very little light has been shed on the fact that having a diet low in nutrients can cause people to become immunocompromised .
Metabolic syndrome—in which a person has a combination of excess abdominal fat , hypertension , high blood sugar , high triglycerides , and high cholesterol—can increase overall inflammation and stifle the immune system ’ s ability to fight infection.14 This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the disease also increases inflammation in the body and can cause a total shutdown of organs,15 so individuals with underlying inflammatory diseases are more likely to suffer from severe symptoms .
For example , a study found that 60 % of people aged 18 to 49 who were hospitalized with the novel coronavirus were obese and that obesity was the biggest risk factor in those aged 50 to 64 .
For those over 65 , high blood pressure was the biggest risk factor.16 Because of our country ’ s high rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of plant-based ones , the majority of Americans suffer from some form of metabolic syndrome and are therefore at greater risk of experiencing severe symptoms or dying during a pandemic .
Research has also found that the risks associated with not eating enough plant-based foods disproportionately affect African Americans .
Communities of color are often faced with food oppression and don ’ t have access to fresh and unprocessed foods like fruits and vegetables .
This forces them to rely on fast food or overly processed products , which typically contain mostly animal-derived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseases .
This may be one reason why a disproportionate percentage of African Americans are dying of COVID-19.17 Throughout the country , the rate of Black fatalities is an estimated 2.4 times higher than that of white Americans and 2.2 times higher than that of Asians and Latinos.18 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) found that in its study catchment area , African Americans made up 18 % of the population but accounted for 33 % of COVID-19 hospitalizations.19 PETA ’ s successful campaigns urging fast-food restaurants to offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ availability of healthier options for many living in food deserts across the U.S. Chains like Del Taco , Carl ’ s Jr. , and Dunkin ’ , for example , sell plant-based meat products from Beyond Meat , and choosing these over red meat can be beneficial for cardiovascular health.20 What You Can Do to Improve Health Outcomes We can improve our diet and thereby lower our risk of suffering from chronic and infectious diseases by increasing our consumption of plant-based foods .
Eating vegan foods can support a strong immune system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower blood pressure and cholesterol , decreasing our likelihood of experiencing severe symptoms or dying from infectious diseases like COVID-19 .
When businesses choose to offer vegan options , they ’ re helping not only to spare animals ’ lives but also to improve the health of their customers and the wider community .
Learn About the Connections Between Animal Agriculture , Climate Change , and Disease 1World Health Organization , Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations , World Organisation for Animal Health , and Health Council of the Netherlands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Emerging Zoonotic Diseases , ” 3–5 May 2004 .
2M .
Peiris and H.-L .
Yen , “ Animal and Human Influenzas , ” Revue scientifique et technique , 33.2 ( 2014 ) : 539-553 .
3The US Burden of Disease Collaborators , “ The State of US Health , 1990–2016 : Burden of Diseases , Injuries , and Risk Factors Among US States , ” JAMA , 319.14 ( 2018 ) : 1444-1472 .
4CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion , “ Poor Nutrition , ” 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Agriculture Economic Research Service , “ A Look at Calorie Sources in the American Diet , ” 5 Dec. 2016 .
6Linda E. Kelemen , et al.
, “ Associations of Dietary Protein With Disease and Mortality in a Prospective Study of Postmenopausal Women , ” American Journal of Epidemiology , 161.3 ( 2005 ) : 239-249 .
7Conor P. Kerley , “ A Review of Plant-Based Diets to Prevent and Treat Heart Failure , ” Cardiac Failure Review , 4.1 ( 2018 ) : 54-61 .
8Philip J. Tuso , et @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Plant-Based Diets , ” The Permanente Journal , 17.2 ( 2013 ) : 61-66 .
9Jane Brody , “ How Poor Diet Contributes to Coronavirus Risk , ” The New York Times , 20 Apr .
2020 .
10H .
Waters and M. Graf , “ America ’ s Obesity Crisis : The Health and Economic Costs of Excess Weight , ” Oct. 2018 .
11Hyuna Sung , et al.
, “ Emerging Cancer Trends Among Young Adults in the USA : Analysis of a Population-Based Cancer Registry , ” The Lancet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : e137-e147 .
12Jerold Mande , et al.
, “ Report of the 50th Anniversary of the White House Conference on Food , Nutrition , and Health : Honoring the Past , Taking Actions for Our Future , ” Mar .
2020 .
13Emelia J. Benjamin , et al.
, “ Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2019 Update : A Report From the American Heart Association , ” Circulation , 139 ( 2019 ) : e56-e528 .
14Brody .
15Miriam Merad and Jerome C. Martin , “ Pathological Inflammation in Patients With COVID-19 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Nature Reviews Immunology , 20 ( 2020 ) : 355-362 .
16Shikha Garg , et al.
, “ Hospitalization Rates and Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized With Laboratory-Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019—COVID-NET , 14 States , March 1–30 , 2020 , ” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , 69.15 ( 2020 ) : 458-464 .
17Nadra Nittle , “ People of Color Are at Greater Risk of COVID-19 .
Systemic Racism in the Food System Plays a Role , ” Civil Eats , 5 May 2020 .
18APM Research Lab , “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. , ” 10 June 2020 .
19Garg et al .
20Stanford Medicine , “ Plant-Based ‘ Meats ’ Improve Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors Compared With Red Meat , ” ScienceDaily , 11 Aug. 2020 .

A growing number of studies are drawing the connection between our food system and global pandemics such as the COVID-19 crisis. In the U.S., more than 99% of animal-derived foods come from factory farms, where animals are kept in cramped, filthy conditions, leaving them susceptible to dangerous pathogens that can spread among them and to humans.1 Animal agriculture has been the source of countless outbreaks of dangerous zoonotic diseases (those that can be transmitted to humans from other animals), including avian and swine flu strains that have killed hundreds of thousands in recent years.2 Both humans and animals suffer as a result of these outbreaks. Eating meat and other animal-derived foods also harms human health, making people more likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome and other chronic conditions, which increases their susceptibility to infectious diseases.
© iStock.com/agnormark
What Is a Poor Diet?
Having a poor diet typically refers to consuming either insufficient or excess nutrients. This could mean not eating enough fruit or vegetables or consuming too much cholesterol, fat, or sugar. Malnutrition is an issue all over the world, including in the U.S. In fact, a study found that by 2016, having a poor diet was the leading cause of ill health in this country and was responsible for more than half a million deaths each year.3
How Does Eating Meat Harm Human Health?
Experts agree that in order to meet our nutritional requirements, we must eat enough fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, fewer than one in 10 U.S. adults and adolescents do so.4 In fact, only 8% of a typical American’s caloric intake is derived from fruits and vegetables—in comparison, almost 30% comes from animal-derived foods.5 This is problematic, as meat, dairy, and eggs are high in cholesterol and saturated fat, which can accumulate in the body and cause a variety of health issues, including heart disease, strokes, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and even deficits in brain function. A major study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, for example, found that among the 29,000 participants, those who ate the most meat and dairy were at the greatest risk for heart disease.6 Several studies have found evidence that a plant-based diet high in antioxidants, micronutrients, nitrate, and fiber and low in saturated and trans fats can help prevent heart failure.7 Others have concluded that eating plant-based foods can help lower body mass index, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels as well as reducing the amount of treatment needed for chronic diseases.8
Despite this growing evidence that vegan eating is the healthiest option, the majority of Americans continue to choose animal-derived foods over fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based options. As a result, fewer than one in five American adults is metabolically healthy and most suffer from a slew of diet-related diseases.9 In this country, 39.8% of adults and 18.5% of children are obese,10 and obesity-related types of cancer are growing among young adults.11 More than 100 million Americans suffer from diabetes or prediabetes, and one in three children born after 2000 is expected to develop type 2 diabetes.12 There are 122 million Americans suffering from heart disease, and over 840,000 people die of it each year.13
The negative impacts on human health don’t stop there—eating animal “products” can also result in an increased infection risk during a global pandemic.
What Difference Does a Poor Diet Make During a Pandemic?
As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, it became common knowledge that elderly and immunocompromised people are most at risk of dying from the disease. However, very little light has been shed on the fact that having a diet low in nutrients can cause people to become immunocompromised. Metabolic syndrome—in which a person has a combination of excess abdominal fat, hypertension, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol—can increase overall inflammation and stifle the immune system’s ability to fight infection.14 This is especially dangerous in conjunction with COVID-19, as the disease also increases inflammation in the body and can cause a total shutdown of organs,15 so individuals with underlying inflammatory diseases are more likely to suffer from severe symptoms. For example, a study found that 60% of people aged 18 to 49 who were hospitalized with the novel coronavirus were obese and that obesity was the biggest risk factor in those aged 50 to 64. For those over 65, high blood pressure was the biggest risk factor.16 Because of our country’s high rate of consumption of animal-derived foods and inadequate intake of plant-based ones, the majority of Americans suffer from some form of metabolic syndrome and are therefore at greater risk of experiencing severe symptoms or dying during a pandemic.
Research has also found that the risks associated with not eating enough plant-based foods disproportionately affect African Americans. Communities of color are often faced with food oppression and don’t have access to fresh and unprocessed foods like fruits and vegetables. This forces them to rely on fast food or overly processed products, which typically contain mostly animal-derived foods, increasing their risk for chronic diseases. This may be one reason why a disproportionate percentage of African Americans are dying of COVID-19.17 Throughout the country, the rate of Black fatalities is an estimated 2.4 times higher than that of white Americans and 2.2 times higher than that of Asians and Latinos.18 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that in its study catchment area, African Americans made up 18% of the population but accounted for 33% of COVID-19 hospitalizations.19
PETA’s successful campaigns urging fast-food restaurants to offer more vegan menu items have increased the availability of healthier options for many living in food deserts across the U.S. Chains like Del Taco, Carl’s Jr., and Dunkin’, for example, sell plant-based meat products from Beyond Meat, and choosing these over red meat can be beneficial for cardiovascular health.20
What You Can Do to Improve Health Outcomes
We can improve our diet and thereby lower our risk of suffering from chronic and infectious diseases by increasing our consumption of plant-based foods. Eating vegan foods can support a strong immune system, help maintain a healthy weight, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol, decreasing our likelihood of experiencing severe symptoms or dying from infectious diseases like COVID-19. When businesses choose to offer vegan options, they’re helping not only to spare animals’ lives but also to improve the health of their customers and the wider community.
Learn About the Connections Between Animal Agriculture, Climate Change, and Disease
References
1World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Organisation for Animal Health, and Health Council of the Netherlands, “Report of the WHO/FAO/OIE Joint Consultation on Emerging Zoonotic Diseases,” 3–5 May 2004.
2M. Peiris and H.-L. Yen, “Animal and Human Influenzas,” Revue scientifique et technique, 33.2 (2014): 539-553.
3The US Burden of Disease Collaborators, “The State of US Health, 1990–2016: Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Among US States,” JAMA, 319.14 (2018): 1444-1472.
4CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, “Poor Nutrition,” 14 Apr. 2020.
5United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, “A Look at Calorie Sources in the American Diet,” 5 Dec. 2016.
6Linda E. Kelemen, et al., “Associations of Dietary Protein With Disease and Mortality in a Prospective Study of Postmenopausal Women,” American Journal of Epidemiology, 161.3 (2005): 239-249.
7Conor P. Kerley, “A Review of Plant-Based Diets to Prevent and Treat Heart Failure,” Cardiac Failure Review, 4.1 (2018): 54-61.
8Philip J. Tuso, et al., “Nutritional Update for Physicians: Plant-Based Diets,” The Permanente Journal, 17.2 (2013): 61-66.
9Jane Brody, “How Poor Diet Contributes to Coronavirus Risk,” The New York Times, 20 Apr. 2020.
10H. Waters and M. Graf, “America’s Obesity Crisis: The Health and Economic Costs of Excess Weight,” Oct. 2018.
11Hyuna Sung, et al., “Emerging Cancer Trends Among Young Adults in the USA: Analysis of a Population-Based Cancer Registry,” The Lancet Public Health, 4.3 (2019): e137-e147.
12Jerold Mande, et al., “Report of the 50th Anniversary of the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health: Honoring the Past, Taking Actions for Our Future,” Mar. 2020.
13Emelia J. Benjamin, et al., “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2019 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association,” Circulation, 139 (2019): e56-e528.
14Brody.
15Miriam Merad and Jerome C. Martin, “Pathological Inflammation in Patients With COVID-19: A Key Role for Monocytes and Macrophages,” Nature Reviews Immunology, 20 (2020): 355-362.
16Shikha Garg, et al., “Hospitalization Rates and Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized With Laboratory-Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019—COVID-NET, 14 States, March 1–30, 2020,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69.15 (2020): 458-464.
17Nadra Nittle, “People of Color Are at Greater Risk of COVID-19. Systemic Racism in the Food System Plays a Role,” Civil Eats, 5 May 2020.
18APM Research Lab, “The Color of Coronavirus: COVID-19 Deaths by Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.,” 10 June 2020.
19Garg et al.
20Stanford Medicine, “Plant-Based ‘Meats’ Improve Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors Compared With Red Meat,” ScienceDaily, 11 Aug. 2020.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-26--Urgent! Cruel—and Criminal—to Abandon Animals in Houston During Hurricane Laura

Houston – As Hurricane Laura approaches—and because a hurricane warning is now in effect for the Houston area—we implore you never to leave dogs tethered or penned outside and always to take animal companions with you if you have to evacuate .
Believe it or not , every time there ’ s a natural disaster , many dogs and other companion animals are left outside to fend for themselves and even left behind when humans evacuate .
Dogs kept tethered will swim to exhaustion and drown—and there are tethered dogs everywhere .
PETA ’ s Animal Rescue Team has witnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left behind to face floodwaters and flying debris .
During previous storms , we have found dogs dead .
We have also found them up to their necks in water , unable to sit or lie down , and in almost-submerged crates inside houses and seen animals who have been flung around by high winds .
And of course , animals are petrified in these kinds of weather conditions .
PETA has released a natural disaster–preparedness PSA featuring Dean Winters .
Make plans to ensure the safety of animal companions long before evacuating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PETA.org .

For Immediate Release:
August 26, 2020
Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382
Houston – As Hurricane Laura approaches—and because a hurricane warning is now in effect for the Houston area—we implore you never to leave dogs tethered or penned outside and always to take animal companions with you if you have to evacuate.
Believe it or not, every time there’s a natural disaster, many dogs and other companion animals are left outside to fend for themselves and even left behind when humans evacuate. Dogs kept tethered will swim to exhaustion and drown—and there are tethered dogs everywhere. PETA’s Animal Rescue Team has witnessed firsthand the trauma that animals endure when left behind to face floodwaters and flying debris. During previous storms, we have found dogs dead. We have also found them up to their necks in water, unable to sit or lie down, and in almost-submerged crates inside houses and seen animals who have been flung around by high winds. And of course, animals are petrified in these kinds of weather conditions.
PETA has released a natural disaster–preparedness PSA featuring Dean Winters. Make plans to ensure the safety of animal companions long before evacuating. For more information, please visit PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-26--Urgent! Cruel—and Criminal—to Abandon Animals in Texas During Hurricane Laura

Norfolk , Va. – As Hurricane Laura approaches—and because a hurricane warning is now in effect for areas in Texas including Chambers , Jasper , and Hardin counties , and evacuations are taking place—we implore you never to leave dogs tethered or penned outside and always to take animal companions with you if you have to evacuate .
Believe it or not , every time there ’ s a natural disaster , many dogs and other companion animals are left outside to fend for themselves and even left behind when humans evacuate .
Dogs kept tethered will swim to exhaustion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
PETA ’ s Animal Rescue Team has witnessed firsthand the trauma that animals endure when left behind to face floodwaters and flying debris .
During previous storms , we have found dogs dead .
We have also found them up to their necks in water , unable to sit or lie down , and in almost-submerged crates inside houses and seen animals who have been flung around by high winds .
And of course , animals are petrified in these kinds of weather conditions .
PETA has released a natural disaster–preparedness PSA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure the safety of animal companions long before evacuating .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .

For Immediate Release:
August 26, 2020
Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382
Norfolk, Va. – As Hurricane Laura approaches—and because a hurricane warning is now in effect for areas in Texas including Chambers, Jasper, and Hardin counties, and evacuations are taking place—we implore you never to leave dogs tethered or penned outside and always to take animal companions with you if you have to evacuate.
Believe it or not, every time there’s a natural disaster, many dogs and other companion animals are left outside to fend for themselves and even left behind when humans evacuate. Dogs kept tethered will swim to exhaustion and drown—and there are tethered dogs everywhere. PETA’s Animal Rescue Team has witnessed firsthand the trauma that animals endure when left behind to face floodwaters and flying debris. During previous storms, we have found dogs dead. We have also found them up to their necks in water, unable to sit or lie down, and in almost-submerged crates inside houses and seen animals who have been flung around by high winds. And of course, animals are petrified in these kinds of weather conditions.
PETA has released a natural disaster–preparedness PSA featuring Dean Winters. Make plans to ensure the safety of animal companions long before evacuating. For more information, please visit PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-26--How Language Can Influence Kids’ Attitudes Toward Animals

What Are Your Word Choices Teaching Your Kids ?
As you well know , your children are listening and picking up on things you say—for better or for worse .
Trouble can arise when seemingly inconsequential conversations take on a deeper meaning in their minds and influence their view of animals in unintended ways .
Since we all want to raise kids who care , here are some things to consider : A lamp can be referred to as “ it ” and so can a water bottle .
But animals aren ’ t things—they ’ re living , breathing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Referring to animals as “ he ” or “ she ” ( or “ they ” if you don ’ t know the gender ) rather than “ it ” recognizes that they ’ re individuals , conveying the message that they ’ re not research tools for us to test our drugs and cosmetics on , consumer products for us to eat or wear , or inanimate objects that we can use for entertainment but rather persons ( yes , animals are people , too ! )
who deserve our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it hurts animals ’ feelings when we refer to them as “ it ” —it ’ s because the word lessens their worth in our minds .
Although no thoughtful person would do this intentionally , it can be a tough habit to break .
But once it has become ingrained that “ it ” is a disrespectful word when referring to a sentient individual , you and your socially conscious youngster will cringe when someone points to your dog and says , “ It ’ s so cute !
” or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Is it building a nest ?
” Words can frame our view of reality , which is why identifying and eliminating racist , sexist , homophobic , and ableist words and phrases from our language is a top priority right now .
What may be less obvious but just as harmful are the speciesist sayings we grew up hearing that condone disrespect and even violence toward animals and perpetuate a human-supremacist worldview .
Many common expressions , such as “ kill two birds with one stone , ” “ beat a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home the bacon , ” have been casually passed down from our own otherwise caring parents and teachers , inadvertently normalizing violence toward animals and hardwiring a false sense of superiority over them .
Using animal-friendly language instead can stop this harmful cycle and foster respect for animals—it could even spark a family conversation about the abusive ways in which animals are exploited and how to help them .
Ditching animal-derived foods and talking about the importance of showing empathy to all is crucial to raising kind kids , but what about when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What happens , for example , when you find a spider in your house or you hear rodents scurrying a little too close for comfort ?
Squishing bugs or setting out poison or cruel traps to catch and kill small mammals sends the wrong message to kids who are otherwise taught to be compassionate .
Think guests , not pests .
That ’ s not to say that these uninvited visitors are welcome in your home , but be careful not to refer to them as “ vermin ” or an “ infestation.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ why and how animals sometimes wander into or seek refuge in human homes—and show them how to prevent this from happening in the future .
One positive aspect of using alternatives to cruel traps and insecticides is that natural remedies are nontoxic and healthier for your small human housemates , too .
And if any rodents or insects still make their way in , using humane traps for rodents or gently catching insects with a plastic cup ( or using PETA ’ s humane bug catcher ) and then releasing them outside is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our kids to grow into compassionate , respectful , understanding adults , we need to make sure that they have a foundation free of the speciesist biases that we , too , may have absorbed as children .
Becoming aware of these subtleties in our everyday language is a vital step in raising a generation that will truly see animals as deserving of equal consideration .

What Are Your Word Choices Teaching Your Kids?
As you well know, your children are listening and picking up on things you say—for better or for worse. Trouble can arise when seemingly inconsequential conversations take on a deeper meaning in their minds and influence their view of animals in unintended ways. Since we all want to raise kids who care, here are some things to consider:
Calling Animals ‘It’ vs. ‘Him/Her,’ ‘She/He,’ or ‘They/Them’
A lamp can be referred to as “it” and so can a water bottle. But animals aren’t things—they’re living, breathing, sentient beings (i.e., someone). Referring to animals as “he” or “she” (or “they” if you don’t know the gender) rather than “it” recognizes that they’re individuals, conveying the message that they’re not research tools for us to test our drugs and cosmetics on, consumer products for us to eat or wear, or inanimate objects that we can use for entertainment but rather persons (yes, animals are people, too!) who deserve our consideration.
The reason isn’t because it hurts animals’ feelings when we refer to them as “it”—it’s because the word lessens their worth in our minds. Although no thoughtful person would do this intentionally, it can be a tough habit to break. But once it has become ingrained that “it” is a disrespectful word when referring to a sentient individual, you and your socially conscious youngster will cringe when someone points to your dog and says, “It’s so cute!” or draws attention to a bird and asks, “Is it building a nest?”
Replacing Harmful Idioms
Words can frame our view of reality, which is why identifying and eliminating racist, sexist, homophobic, and ableist words and phrases from our language is a top priority right now. What may be less obvious but just as harmful are the speciesist sayings we grew up hearing that condone disrespect and even violence toward animals and perpetuate a human-supremacist worldview.
Many common expressions, such as “kill two birds with one stone,” “beat a dead horse,” and “bring home the bacon,” have been casually passed down from our own otherwise caring parents and teachers, inadvertently normalizing violence toward animals and hardwiring a false sense of superiority over them. Using animal-friendly language instead can stop this harmful cycle and foster respect for animals—it could even spark a family conversation about the abusive ways in which animals are exploited and how to help them.
Talking About Insects and Rodents
Ditching animal-derived foods and talking about the importance of showing empathy to all is crucial to raising kind kids, but what about when it comes to less popular animals? What happens, for example, when you find a spider in your house or you hear rodents scurrying a little too close for comfort? Squishing bugs or setting out poison or cruel traps to catch and kill small mammals sends the wrong message to kids who are otherwise taught to be compassionate.
Think guests, not pests. That’s not to say that these uninvited visitors are welcome in your home, but be careful not to refer to them as “vermin” or an “infestation.” Instead, explain to your kids why and how animals sometimes wander into or seek refuge in human homes—and show them how to prevent this from happening in the future. One positive aspect of using alternatives to cruel traps and insecticides is that natural remedies are nontoxic and healthier for your small human housemates, too. And if any rodents or insects still make their way in, using humane traps for rodents or gently catching insects with a plastic cup (or using PETA’s humane bug catcher) and then releasing them outside is always an option.
If we want our kids to grow into compassionate, respectful, understanding adults, we need to make sure that they have a foundation free of the speciesist biases that we, too, may have absorbed as children. Becoming aware of these subtleties in our everyday language is a vital step in raising a generation that will truly see animals as deserving of equal consideration.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-26--Feds Cite Local Slaughterhouse After Cows Are Repeatedly Shot in the Head

Lima , Ohio – Following U.S. Department of Agriculture reports documenting that cows at Keystone Meats , Inc. , outside Lima were shot in the head up to three times on at least two separate occasions in May and August , PETA has fired off a letter urging the owner to livestream video footage from the facility in order to help prevent workers from mishandling and abusing animals during slaughter .
PETA also asked the facility to stop killing animals and switch to butchering only wildlife who ’ ve been accidentally killed in vehicle collisions .
“ Publicly livestreaming slaughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from experiencing agonizing , prolonged deaths , ” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch .
“ PETA is urging Keystone Meats to overhaul its facility immediately and encouraging anyone disturbed by this incident to help keep animals out of slaughterhouses everywhere by going vegan.
” PETA ’ s motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to eat , ” and the group opposes speciesism , a human-supremacist worldview .
PETA also asked Keystone Meats what actions it has taken against the staff responsible for the botched shootings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement and reassigning them to positions that don ’ t involve contact with live animals .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .
PETA ’ s letter to Dave Dorley , owner of Keystone Meats , follows .
Given U.S. Department of Agriculture reports documenting the repeated shooting of cows in the head with captive-bolt guns and various firearms at Keystone Meats on May 8 and August 7 , we ask that you immediately make changes to your operations in order to reduce animal suffering at your slaughterhouse .
In light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your staff caused these cows to endure , in violation of federal law , won ’ t you please publicly livestream video from all areas of your facility where live animals are handled ?
Your workers would surely take their duty to handle animals lawfully more seriously if they knew that people were watching .
The world ’ s foremost expert on livestock welfare , Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University , writes , “ Plants that are doing a good job should show what they are doing.
” Members of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t understand how animals are raised and killed for food .
You could shed light on this by allowing the public to observe your workers as they move countless animals—individuals who value their own lives as much as humans do—off crowded trucks in all weather extremes , attempt to stun them , slash or stick their throats , and then bleed them to death .
What action , if any , have you taken against your staff members referenced in the reports ?
Have you reassigned them to jobs that don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evisceration , butchering , and packaging—and reported them to your local law-enforcement agency so that they might be investigated for possible violations of Ohio ’ s anti-cruelty statute ?
Finally , if you want to stay in business without causing animals to suffer and die needlessly , you could focus on your cannery operations and switch to butchering exclusively wild animals killed in collisions with vehicles and legally salvaged by customers who want to eat their flesh , as state law allows .
Thank you for your consideration .

Conscious Cow Found Hanging Upside Down—PETA Calls For Public Scrutiny, Operational Overhaul
For Immediate Release:
August 26, 2020
Contact:
Nicole Meyer 202-483-7382
Lima, Ohio – Following U.S. Department of Agriculture reports documenting that cows at Keystone Meats, Inc., outside Lima were shot in the head up to three times on at least two separate occasions in May and August, PETA has fired off a letter urging the owner to livestream video footage from the facility in order to help prevent workers from mishandling and abusing animals during slaughter. PETA also asked the facility to stop killing animals and switch to butchering only wildlife who’ve been accidentally killed in vehicle collisions.
“Publicly livestreaming slaughter operations—or ending them altogether—would help prevent animals from experiencing agonizing, prolonged deaths,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA is urging Keystone Meats to overhaul its facility immediately and encouraging anyone disturbed by this incident to help keep animals out of slaughterhouses everywhere by going vegan.”
PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat,” and the group opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. PETA also asked Keystone Meats what actions it has taken against the staff responsible for the botched shootings, such as reporting them to local law enforcement and reassigning them to positions that don’t involve contact with live animals.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA’s letter to Dave Dorley, owner of Keystone Meats, follows.
August 26, 2020
Dave Dorley
Owner
Keystone Meats
Dear Mr. Dorley,
Given U.S. Department of Agriculture reports documenting the repeated shooting of cows in the head with captive-bolt guns and various firearms at Keystone Meats on May 8 and August 7, we ask that you immediately make changes to your operations in order to reduce animal suffering at your slaughterhouse.
In light of the egregious pain and terror that your staff caused these cows to endure, in violation of federal law, won’t you please publicly livestream video from all areas of your facility where live animals are handled? Your workers would surely take their duty to handle animals lawfully more seriously if they knew that people were watching. The world’s foremost expert on livestock welfare, Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University, writes, “Plants that are doing a good job should show what they are doing.” Members of your industry often complain that consumers today don’t understand how animals are raised and killed for food. You could shed light on this by allowing the public to observe your workers as they move countless animals—individuals who value their own lives as much as humans do—off crowded trucks in all weather extremes, attempt to stun them, slash or stick their throats, and then bleed them to death.
What action, if any, have you taken against your staff members referenced in the reports? Have you reassigned them to jobs that don’t involve contact with live animals—such as evisceration, butchering, and packaging—and reported them to your local law-enforcement agency so that they might be investigated for possible violations of Ohio’s anti-cruelty statute?
Finally, if you want to stay in business without causing animals to suffer and die needlessly, you could focus on your cannery operations and switch to butchering exclusively wild animals killed in collisions with vehicles and legally salvaged by customers who want to eat their flesh, as state law allows. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Paden
Vice President of Evidence Analysis


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-28--PETA Delivers 4 Tons of Vegan Food to Hunger Relief Program

The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic means that more people are struggling , which is why PETA donated 4 tons of delicious vegan food to those who are facing financial difficulties and worrying about their health .
Animal agriculture creates breeding grounds for pathogens that cause outbreaks of illness , so our donation was vegan—we want to encourage people to make a change for the better now in order to help prevent pandemics in the future .
Community Solidarity , the largest vegetarian hunger relief program in the country , operates the Huntington Food Share on Long Island , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vegan groceries , clothing , and warm meals every week , come rain or come shine .
4 Tons of Vegan Food Delivered to Those in Need PETA teamed up with Plant Based Foods and Community Solidarity to deliver FOUR TONS of food to a local hunger relief program on Long Island 🙌Those in need will be receiving delicious vegan cheeses , lasagna , and tortellini , along with a FREE Vegan Starter Kit ❤ Posted by PETA ( People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ) on Wednesday , August 26 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pasta dishes generously donated by PETA Business Friend Plant Based Foods , Inc .
The tagliatelle with mushrooms , vegan ravioli with tomato and basil , and panzerotti with spinach and dairy-free cheddar were huge hits with pantry guests , as were an assortment of creamy gourmet vegan cheeses made from sprouted brown rice .
Approximately 900 people received these assorted meals along with a huge box of fresh produce and a vegan starter kit .
Community Solidarity distributed the leftover meals to “ free fridges ” in New York City and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Showing how tasty vegan meals can be while feeding struggling people is a great way to feed two birds with one scone .
Going vegan not only saves the lives of nearly 200 animals every year but also significantly reduces a person ’ s risk of suffering from health problems , including cancer , heart disease , strokes , and obesity .
If you ’ re already vegan , help someone else make the switch !

The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic means that more people are struggling, which is why PETA donated 4 tons of delicious vegan food to those who are facing financial difficulties and worrying about their health. Animal agriculture creates breeding grounds for pathogens that cause outbreaks of illness, so our donation was vegan—we want to encourage people to make a change for the better now in order to help prevent pandemics in the future.
Community Solidarity, the largest vegetarian hunger relief program in the country, operates the Huntington Food Share on Long Island, New York, where volunteers distribute free vegan groceries, clothing, and warm meals every week, come rain or come shine.
https://www.facebook.com/official.peta/videos/2893473697425898/
PETA’s gift included frozen pasta dishes generously donated by PETA Business Friend Plant Based Foods, Inc. The tagliatelle with mushrooms, vegan ravioli with tomato and basil, and panzerotti with spinach and dairy-free cheddar were huge hits with pantry guests, as were an assortment of creamy gourmet vegan cheeses made from sprouted brown rice. Approximately 900 people received these assorted meals along with a huge box of fresh produce and a vegan starter kit. Community Solidarity distributed the leftover meals to “free fridges” in New York City and to other food banks in Long Island.
Showing how tasty vegan meals can be while feeding struggling people is a great way to feed two birds with one scone. Going vegan not only saves the lives of nearly 200 animals every year but also significantly reduces a person’s risk of suffering from health problems, including cancer, heart disease, strokes, and obesity. If you’re already vegan, help someone else make the switch!


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-28--Video: Dog Viciously Thrown From Porch Reportedly Left With His Abuser!

Video : Dog Viciously Thrown From Porch Reportedly Left With His Abuser !
On July 23 , an apparent Fort @ @ @ @ @ was reportedly caught on video throwing his dog off the front porch of a residence @ @ @ @ @ hard on his side .
Reportedly , local authorities issued cruelty-to-animals charges but have apparently @ @ @ @ @ behind because the abuser reportedly `` expressed remorse '' .
Meanwhile , questions remain as @ @ @ @ @ point their camera at this home to begin with , and officials are n't talking @ @ @ @ @ to be heard in Campbell County Circuit Court on October 28 , and your voice @ @ @ @ @ know are needed now !
Using the form below , please politely urge Fort Thomas @ @ @ @ @ do their utmost to remove this dog from his present situation .
This could mean @ @ @ @ @ surrender of the dog or a sentencing provision that , upon conviction , would deprive @ @ @ @ @ to possess animals .

Please urge Lake Station Mayor Bill Carroll and the Lake Station City Council to compel the police department to recuse itself from the case, to allow the Humane Society of Hobart to retain protective custody of all animals involved, and to ensure that an unaffiliated third-party agency take over the investigation immediately.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-28--‘Grim Reaper’ to Haunt Local Grocery Store

On 'World Day for the End of Speciesism , ' PETA Will Remind Shoppers That 'Flesh Foods Are Death Foods , ' Since Pandemics Trace Back to Animal Markets Pittsburgh – To mark World Day for the End of Speciesism tomorrow as the world battles the deadly COVID-19 pandemic , which is believed to have originated in a meat market—and because slaughterhouses are recognized as virus hot spots—PETA is sending a “ Grim Reaper ” to haunt a local Giant Eagle grocery store to urge shoppers to increase their chances for a long and happy life by going vegan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that humans are superior to all other animals and makes people think it ’ s OK to confine them on filthy factory farms and then send them to slaughterhouses .
Where : Outside Giant Eagle , 5550 Centre Ave. ( at the intersection with S. Negley Avenue ) , Pittsburgh “ All animals , humans included , want to live and experience happiness , and going vegan is a vote for life—theirs and ours , ” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman .
“ PETA is asking shoppers to push their carts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals ’ sake and their own.
” The novel coronavirus is believed to have originated in a Chinese “ wet market , ” where live and dead animals are sold for human consumption ; swine flu began on a U.S. factory farm ; and other influenza viruses have been traced to chickens .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that approximately 75 % of recently emerged infectious diseases affecting humans originated in other animals .
PETA ’ s motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit PETA.org .

On 'World Day for the End of Speciesism,' PETA Will Remind Shoppers That 'Flesh Foods Are Death Foods,' Since Pandemics Trace Back to Animal Markets
For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2020
Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382
Pittsburgh – To mark World Day for the End of Speciesism tomorrow as the world battles the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, which is believed to have originated in a meat market—and because slaughterhouses are recognized as virus hot spots—PETA is sending a “Grim Reaper” to haunt a local Giant Eagle grocery store to urge shoppers to increase their chances for a long and happy life by going vegan. “Speciesism” is the archaic belief that humans are superior to all other animals and makes people think it’s OK to confine them on filthy factory farms and then send them to slaughterhouses.
When: Saturday, August 29, 12 noon
Where: Outside Giant Eagle, 5550 Centre Ave. (at the intersection with S. Negley Avenue), Pittsburgh
“All animals, humans included, want to live and experience happiness, and going vegan is a vote for life—theirs and ours,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is asking shoppers to push their carts right past the meat aisle, for animals’ sake and their own.”
The novel coronavirus is believed to have originated in a Chinese “wet market,” where live and dead animals are sold for human consumption; swine flu began on a U.S. factory farm; and other influenza viruses have been traced to chickens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that approximately 75% of recently emerged infectious diseases affecting humans originated in other animals.
PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat.” For more information, please visit PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-28--The Camel Farm Permanently Closes to the Public After Years of Vet Care Failures

After PETA Lawsuit and Federal Complaint , Roadside Zoo Can No Longer Exhibit Animals Yuma , Ariz. – After sustained complaints from PETA urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) not to renew The Camel Farm ’ s exhibitor ’ s license , a USDA enforcement proceeding against the roadside zoo was resolved yesterday with the permanent revocation of its license .
The Camel Farm can never again be licensed , and it also faces a $ 126,000 penalty , held in abeyance , for nearly 50 alleged violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act ( AWA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including for failing to provide numerous sick or injured animals with adequate—or any—veterinary care .
If the roadside zoo violates the AWA again within the next two years , the penalty will become due .
“ The Camel Farm must now pay the piper for its years of causing suffering to the animal prisoners in its awful facility , ignoring their illnesses , injuries , and deaths , ” says PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Debbie Metzler .
“ PETA hopes every one of the remaining animals will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll finally receive the care they need.
” According to USDA records , one coatimundi at The Camel Farm , Shyla , had an eye that was swollen , protruding from the socket , and leaking fluid—but instead of contacting a veterinarian as her condition deteriorated , The Camel Farm ’ s manager attempted an unapproved procedure that involved trying to “ pop ” the eye with a needle and his fingers , which caused Shyla additional suffering and worsened her condition .
She was eventually euthanized .
The USDA also cited The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lame goat named Thor with proper veterinary care seven times , and an ibex named Pixie was found dead two weeks after a veterinarian recommended that she be euthanized .
The revocation follows a 2017 PETA lawsuit challenging the USDA ’ s automatic renewal of AWA licenses , including The Camel Farm ’ s .
The AWA prohibits licensing a facility that can ’ t demonstrate that it ’ s operating in accordance with it , and The Camel Farm has been cited for more than 90 violations of the law in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USDA not to renew the facility ’ s license in 2018 and 2019 , but the roadside zoo remained in business—until now .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to use for entertainment ” —opposes speciesism , which is a human-supremacist worldview .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .

After PETA Lawsuit and Federal Complaint, Roadside Zoo Can No Longer Exhibit Animals
For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2020
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Yuma, Ariz. – After sustained complaints from PETA urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) not to renew The Camel Farm’s exhibitor’s license, a USDA enforcement proceeding against the roadside zoo was resolved yesterday with the permanent revocation of its license.
The Camel Farm can never again be licensed, and it also faces a $126,000 penalty, held in abeyance, for nearly 50 alleged violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) between August 2015 and January 2020, including for failing to provide numerous sick or injured animals with adequate—or any—veterinary care. If the roadside zoo violates the AWA again within the next two years, the penalty will become due.
“The Camel Farm must now pay the piper for its years of causing suffering to the animal prisoners in its awful facility, ignoring their illnesses, injuries, and deaths,” says PETA Foundation Associate Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Debbie Metzler. “PETA hopes every one of the remaining animals will be transferred to reputable facilities where they’ll finally receive the care they need.”
According to USDA records, one coatimundi at The Camel Farm, Shyla, had an eye that was swollen, protruding from the socket, and leaking fluid—but instead of contacting a veterinarian as her condition deteriorated, The Camel Farm’s manager attempted an unapproved procedure that involved trying to “pop” the eye with a needle and his fingers, which caused Shyla additional suffering and worsened her condition. She was eventually euthanized. The USDA also cited The Camel Farm for failing to provide a lame goat named Thor with proper veterinary care seven times, and an ibex named Pixie was found dead two weeks after a veterinarian recommended that she be euthanized.
The revocation follows a 2017 PETA lawsuit challenging the USDA’s automatic renewal of AWA licenses, including The Camel Farm’s. The AWA prohibits licensing a facility that can’t demonstrate that it’s operating in accordance with it, and The Camel Farm has been cited for more than 90 violations of the law in the past seven years. PETA urged the USDA not to renew the facility’s license in 2018 and 2019, but the roadside zoo remained in business—until now.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-28--NIH to Face Student Protest Over Cruel ‘Monkey Fright’ Experiments

Fired Up Young Protesters Will Demand an End to Government Experimenter 's Torment of Brain-Damaged Primates Lee ’ s Summit , Mo .
– Over the next two Saturdays , a group of Students Opposing Speciesism members wearing monkey masks will gather in Lee ’ s Summit for socially distanced protests to demand an end to National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) experimenter Elisabeth Murray ’ s painful , invasive , and deadly experiments on primates , in which monkeys are permanently brain damaged and then frightened with fake snakes and spiders .
Where : In front of Walgreens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 ( at the intersection with S.W .
Ward Road ) , Lee ’ s Summit Where : In front of City Hall , 220 S.E .
Green St. , Lee ’ s Summit Murray has received more than $ 36 million in taxpayer funding in the past 13 years alone for these “ psychology ” experiments .
She cuts into monkeys ’ heads , saws off a portion of their skulls to expose the brain , and then injects toxins into it to inflict permanent and traumatic brain damage .
In some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brain .
Afterward , they ’ re placed alone in a small metal cage , and experimenters terrorize them with rubber snakes and spiders , wooden mechanical snakes , and fake jumping spiders .
In 30 years of these tests , Murray ’ s laboratory has failed to develop a single treatment or cure for humans .
“ These students are demanding a better world , one in which millions of tax dollars aren ’ t spent on tormenting sensitive monkeys in laboratories , ” says PETA Future Director of Student Campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is proud to stand with the younger generation as they call on NIH to stop these deranged experiments and empty the cages now.
” PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to experiment on ” —obtained video footage from Murray ’ s laboratory revealing that 23 monkeys are held alone in stark cages , including one named Wilfork , who is nearly bald , likely as a result of severe stress .
After Murray is finished with the monkeys , they are all killed .
PETA opposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For more information , please visit SOS.PETA.org .

Fired Up Young Protesters Will Demand an End to Government Experimenter's Torment of Brain-Damaged Primates
For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2020
Contact:
Nicole Meyer 202-483-7382
Lee’s Summit, Mo. – Over the next two Saturdays, a group of Students Opposing Speciesism members wearing monkey masks will gather in Lee’s Summit for socially distanced protests to demand an end to National Institutes of Health (NIH) experimenter Elisabeth Murray’s painful, invasive, and deadly experiments on primates, in which monkeys are permanently brain damaged and then frightened with fake snakes and spiders.
When: Saturday, August 29, 12 noon
Where: In front of Walgreens, 901 S.W. State Rte. 150 (at the intersection with S.W. Ward Road), Lee’s Summit
When: Saturday, September 5, 1–3 p.m.
Where: In front of City Hall, 220 S.E. Green St., Lee’s Summit
Murray has received more than $36 million in taxpayer funding in the past 13 years alone for these “psychology” experiments. She cuts into monkeys’ heads, saws off a portion of their skulls to expose the brain, and then injects toxins into it to inflict permanent and traumatic brain damage. In some monkeys, she suctions out part of the brain. Afterward, they’re placed alone in a small metal cage, and experimenters terrorize them with rubber snakes and spiders, wooden mechanical snakes, and fake jumping spiders. In 30 years of these tests, Murray’s laboratory has failed to develop a single treatment or cure for humans.
“These students are demanding a better world, one in which millions of tax dollars aren’t spent on tormenting sensitive monkeys in laboratories,” says PETA Future Director of Student Campaigns and Influence Rachelle Owen. “PETA is proud to stand with the younger generation as they call on NIH to stop these deranged experiments and empty the cages now.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on”—obtained video footage from Murray’s laboratory revealing that 23 monkeys are held alone in stark cages, including one named Wilfork, who is nearly bald, likely as a result of severe stress. After Murray is finished with the monkeys, they are all killed.
PETA opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit SOS.PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-28--Protesters to ‘Flock’ to Walmart Over Filthy, Cruel Egg Supplier

Company Urged to Reconsider Ties to Egg Factory Farm After Release of Shocking PETA Investigative Video Tempe , Ariz. – Armed with signs proclaiming , “ Gassed .
Decapitated .
Left for Dead , ” supporters of PETA and Eradicate Speciesism will descend on a local Walmart store to urge the company to reconsider its relationship with supplier Trillium Farm Holdings , whose eggs Walmart sells under its Great Value brand .
The protest comes after a PETA undercover investigation into one of Trillium ’ s farms in Ohio revealed widespread , severe abuse of laying hens .
Where : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( at the intersection with S. Priest Drive ) , Tempe The investigation found hundreds of bodies of dead hens , many of which had been left to decompose alongside the survivors in small , cramped cages .
In one incident , PETA ’ s investigator found a severely injured bird still alive in a trash bin .
A supervisor had clumsily attempted but failed to kill the hen then let her languish for two more days before another worker finally killed her .
Yet another worker was seen pulling a live hen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no place to stand , sit , or lie down except on the bare wire flooring of the cages , and many were missing feathers , often the result of stress-induced self-mutilation or fighting , as each bird had less than a square foot of space .
“ Chickens are curious individuals who have distinct personalities , but most importantly , they feel pain and fear just as intensely as any human does , ” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch .
“ PETA is calling on Walmart to reconsider its ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to choose vegan foods that no animal suffered for.
” In late June , workers at the Ohio farm killed more than 100,000 unwanted “ spent ” hens , yanking them from their cages and stuffing and slamming them by the dozens into metal boxes , in which they were smothered and gassed with carbon dioxide .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to eat ” —opposes speciesism , a human-supremacist worldview .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .

Company Urged to Reconsider Ties to Egg Factory Farm After Release of Shocking PETA Investigative Video
For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2020
Contact:
Nicole Meyer 202-483-7382
Tempe, Ariz. – Armed with signs proclaiming, “Gassed. Decapitated. Left for Dead,” supporters of PETA and Eradicate Speciesism will descend on a local Walmart store to urge the company to reconsider its relationship with supplier Trillium Farm Holdings, whose eggs Walmart sells under its Great Value brand. The protest comes after a PETA undercover investigation into one of Trillium’s farms in Ohio revealed widespread, severe abuse of laying hens.
When: Saturday, August 29, 5 p.m.
Where: Walmart, 1380 W. Elliot Rd. (at the intersection with S. Priest Drive), Tempe
The investigation found hundreds of bodies of dead hens, many of which had been left to decompose alongside the survivors in small, cramped cages. In one incident, PETA’s investigator found a severely injured bird still alive in a trash bin. A supervisor had clumsily attempted but failed to kill the hen then let her languish for two more days before another worker finally killed her. Yet another worker was seen pulling a live hen’s head off. Birds had no place to stand, sit, or lie down except on the bare wire flooring of the cages, and many were missing feathers, often the result of stress-induced self-mutilation or fighting, as each bird had less than a square foot of space.
“Chickens are curious individuals who have distinct personalities, but most importantly, they feel pain and fear just as intensely as any human does,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA is calling on Walmart to reconsider its ties with this supplier and asking kind people to choose vegan foods that no animal suffered for.”
In late June, workers at the Ohio farm killed more than 100,000 unwanted “spent” hens, yanking them from their cages and stuffing and slamming them by the dozens into metal boxes, in which they were smothered and gassed with carbon dioxide.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-28--Brands That Don’t Use Coconuts Monkeys Were Forced to Pick

PETA Asia blew the lid off the Thai coconut industry ’ s use of captive monkeys—a shocking investigation revealed that terrified young monkeys in Thailand are kept chained , abusively trained , and forced to climb trees to pick coconuts that are used to make coconut milk and other products ( not coconut sugar or coconut water ) , including some sold in the U.S .
Many of these monkeys are reportedly illegally abducted from their families and homes when they ’ re just babies .
They ’ re fitted with rigid metal collars and kept chained or tethered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend themselves are pulled out .
So , what ’ s a compassionate , coconut-loving consumer to do ?
We ’ re making shopping simple with a list* of brands that have confirmed that they source only from farms that don ’ t use monkey labor : Coconut water typically comes from coconuts grown on dwarf trees , including the Nam Hom variety , so harvesting them doesn ’ t require monkey labor .
And coconut sugar is derived from cutting into the flower of the coconut palm , which monkeys aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coconuts from Thailand are picked by monkeys , not all are , and other coconut-growing regions—including Brazil , Colombia , and Hawaii—harvest coconuts using monkey-free methods such as tractor-mounted hydraulic elevators , willing human tree-climbers , rope or platform systems , or ladders .
By purchasing from brands that support monkey-free coconut-harvesting methods , you ’ ll be helping to end the cruel practice of exploiting vulnerable monkeys while also sending a powerful message to companies like Chaokoh that still make products from coconuts picked using abusive methods .
Curious , highly intelligent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , freedom , and everything else that would make their lives worth living—all so that they can be used to pick coconuts .
Please urge Chaokoh to join the companies listed above in ensuring that the products it sells aren ’ t from coconuts picked by monkeys .
Monkeys Used and Abused for Coconuts Need Your Help *This list is not comprehensive and may be updated at any time in accordance with the findings of PETA Asia ’ s investigations or new information received by PETA .

Published November 11, 2022 by PETA . Last Updated March 29, 2023.
PETA Asia has blown the lid off the Thai coconut industry’s use of captive monkeys once again. A shocking 2022 investigation revealed terrified young monkeys kept chained, abusively trained, and forced to climb trees to pick coconuts used to make canned coconut milk—including for many brands sold in the U.S.
In the cruel Thai coconut industry, many monkeys are reportedly illegally abducted from their families and homes when they’re just babies. They’re fitted with rigid metal collars and kept chained or tethered. The teeth of some who try to defend themselves are allegedly pulled out.
The Thai government and companies that make coconut products claim that monkeys are no longer used to make goods for export—but PETA Asia’s newest investigation has confirmed that rampant abuse of primates is still going unchecked, and insiders in the Thai coconut industry are deliberately hiding forced monkey labor in their supply chain.
How can you hold these producers accountable? Since the Thai coconut industry continues to lie, the best thing you can do to help the monkeys it abuses is to avoid companies that source canned coconut milk from Thailand.
To make shopping simple, we’ve compiled a list of brands* that have confirmed that they don’t source their canned coconut milk products from Thailand:
Brands That Sell Non-Thai Canned Coconut Milk
Cha’s Organics (ORGANIC)
CocoGoods Co. (ORGANIC)
Coco Lopez
Delta Coco
Fiesta Tropicale (ORGANIC)
Good & Gather (ORGANIC)
Goya
Jiva Organics (ORGANIC)
Natural Value (ORGANIC)
Trader Joe’s
Vita Coco
Wild Harvest
*This list is not comprehensive and may be updated at any time in accordance with the findings of PETA Asia’s investigations or new information received by PETA entities.
By purchasing from brands that support monkey-free coconut-harvesting methods, you’ll be helping to end the cruel practice of exploiting vulnerable monkeys while also sending a powerful message to companies that make products from coconuts picked using abusive methods.
Take Action for Chained, Abused Monkeys
Curious, highly intelligent monkeys are denied mental stimulation, companionship, freedom, and everything else that’s natural and important to them—all so they can be forced to pick coconuts.
Help End Forced Monkey Labor in the Thai Coconut Industry


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-28--PETA Wants Wildfire Animal Abandoners Charged With Crime

Prosecution—and a Lifelong Ban on Keeping Animals—Sought for Anyone Found Knowingly Failing to Plan for Known Danger , Leaving Animals to Die Fresno County , Calif. – Good Samaritans have scrambled to rescue many more than 1,000 animals—from horses , pigs , and goats to dogs and guinea pigs—left behind in Fresno County by humans fleeing wildfires that were clearly a present or approaching danger .
That ’ s why PETA sent an urgent letter today to Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp asking her to press cruelty-to-animals charges against any people who failed to make safety or evacuation arrangements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known fire risk area or who were notified of an approaching fire yet left animals to burn to death .
PETA further asks that anyone convicted be prohibited from having the charge or possession of any animal in the future .
“ When people look out for only themselves even though they have taken on the responsibility of caring for animals and have failed to plan for or evacuate them , they need to pay a price , ” says PETA Emergency Response Manager Kristin Rickman .
“ No one who dooms an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should ever be trusted with an animal ’ s care or life again.
” PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to abuse in any way ” —opposes speciesism , which is a human-supremacist worldview .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .
We ’ re writing today to beseech your office to ensure that Fresno County residents who fall drastically short of meeting the most fundamental duties of animal custodianship while wildfires devastate the region be held duly accountable as per CA § 597 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ W ] hoever , having the charge or custody of any animal , either as owner or otherwise , subjects any animal to needless suffering … or fails to provide the animal with proper food , drink , or shelter or protection from the weather … is , for each offense , guilty of a crime.
” Unfortunately , as has been repeatedly observed in natural disaster scenarios , many individuals with ample forewarning ( or who can be assumed to understand that their areas are prone to life-threatening natural events ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrangements for their own animals , essentially abandoning them to endure horrific fates while helplessly confined or otherwise unable to escape .
Such is evidently the case in Fresno County , where good Samaritans like Clovis resident Blake Cadigan and his team have reportedly scrambled to rescue more than 1,000 animals thus far who would otherwise have been doomed to die amid smoke and flames after their irresponsible owners evacuated with only their own safety in mind .
On behalf of our more than 625,000 members in California , we respectfully request that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffer or die—particularly after having received sufficient notice of impending adverse conditions—be charged with cruelty to animals and , if convicted , receive the maximum sentence , including prohibition from animal custodianship for life .
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter .

Prosecution—and a Lifelong Ban on Keeping Animals—Sought for Anyone Found Knowingly Failing to Plan for Known Danger, Leaving Animals to Die
For Immediate Release:
August 27, 2020
Contact:
Nicole Meyer 202-483-7382
Fresno County, Calif. – Good Samaritans have scrambled to rescue many more than 1,000 animals—from horses, pigs, and goats to dogs and guinea pigs—left behind in Fresno County by humans fleeing wildfires that were clearly a present or approaching danger. That’s why PETA sent an urgent letter today to Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp asking her to press cruelty-to-animals charges against any people who failed to make safety or evacuation arrangements for animals they were harboring in a known fire risk area or who were notified of an approaching fire yet left animals to burn to death.
PETA further asks that anyone convicted be prohibited from having the charge or possession of any animal in the future.
“When people look out for only themselves even though they have taken on the responsibility of caring for animals and have failed to plan for or evacuate them, they need to pay a price,” says PETA Emergency Response Manager Kristin Rickman. “No one who dooms an animal to die amid smoke and flames should ever be trusted with an animal’s care or life again.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA’s letter to Smittcamp follows.
August 27, 2020
The Honorable Lisa A. Smittcamp
District Attorney of Fresno County
Dear Ms. Smittcamp,
Greetings from PETA.
We’re writing today to beseech your office to ensure that Fresno County residents who fall drastically short of meeting the most fundamental duties of animal custodianship while wildfires devastate the region be held duly accountable as per CA § 597(b), which states, “[W]hoever, having the charge or custody of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, subjects any animal to needless suffering … or fails to provide the animal with proper food, drink, or shelter or protection from the weather … is, for each offense, guilty of a crime.” Unfortunately, as has been repeatedly observed in natural disaster scenarios, many individuals with ample forewarning (or who can be assumed to understand that their areas are prone to life-threatening natural events) will take flight without having made necessary arrangements for their own animals, essentially abandoning them to endure horrific fates while helplessly confined or otherwise unable to escape. Such is evidently the case in Fresno County, where good Samaritans like Clovis resident Blake Cadigan and his team have reportedly scrambled to rescue more than 1,000 animals thus far who would otherwise have been doomed to die amid smoke and flames after their irresponsible owners evacuated with only their own safety in mind.
On behalf of our more than 625,000 members in California, we respectfully request that any person who leaves an animal to suffer or die—particularly after having received sufficient notice of impending adverse conditions—be charged with cruelty to animals and, if convicted, receive the maximum sentence, including prohibition from animal custodianship for life.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
Kristin Rickman
Emergency Response Division Manager
Cruelty Investigations Department


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-31--AutoZone Nabs PETA Award for Lifesaving Hot Car Warning Message

Company Acts to Keep Dogs and Kids From Dying of Heatstroke in Parked Cars Memphis , Tenn. – A Compassionate Business Award and a box of delicious dog-shaped vegan chocolates are on their way from PETA to AutoZone , because the company is now sharing PETA ’ s message about the dangers of leaving dogs and children in parked vehicles .
AutoZone has been issuing a daily directive to its more than 5,835 stores ( located in all 50 states , Puerto Rico , and the U.S. Virgin Islands ) instructing employees to recommend curbside pickup to customers traveling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a car is parked in the shade with the windows cracked , dogs and children can rapidly succumb to heatstroke , and we ’ ve seen this tragedy occur many times this year , ” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman .
“ AutoZone ’ s recommendation is likely to save many lives by reminding shoppers never to leave a vulnerable family member behind when they step away from their vehicle.
” At least 27 companion animals have died from heat-related causes this year .
PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing any symptoms of heatstroke—including restlessness , heavy panting , vomiting , or loss of coordination—should be taken into the shade , given water to drink , and cooled off with a lukewarm or cool ( not cold ) towel placed on their head and chest .
A veterinarian should be called immediately .
AutoZone will receive an award letter , a framed certificate , and a box of delicious vegan chocolates .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to abuse in any way ” —opposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .

Company Acts to Keep Dogs and Kids From Dying of Heatstroke in Parked Cars
For Immediate Release:
August 31, 2020
Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382
Memphis, Tenn. – A Compassionate Business Award and a box of delicious dog-shaped vegan chocolates are on their way from PETA to AutoZone, because the company is now sharing PETA’s message about the dangers of leaving dogs and children in parked vehicles. AutoZone has been issuing a daily directive to its more than 5,835 stores (located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) instructing employees to recommend curbside pickup to customers traveling with animals or children.
“Even when a car is parked in the shade with the windows cracked, dogs and children can rapidly succumb to heatstroke, and we’ve seen this tragedy occur many times this year,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “AutoZone’s recommendation is likely to save many lives by reminding shoppers never to leave a vulnerable family member behind when they step away from their vehicle.”
At least 27 companion animals have died from heat-related causes this year. PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for intervening in such life-or-death situations.
Dogs showing any symptoms of heatstroke—including restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, or loss of coordination—should be taken into the shade, given water to drink, and cooled off with a lukewarm or cool (not cold) towel placed on their head and chest. A veterinarian should be called immediately.
AutoZone will receive an award letter, a framed certificate, and a box of delicious vegan chocolates.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-31--New Ad Blitz Takes Aim at Deadly Experiments on Owls at Johns Hopkins University

PETA Calls For End to Cruel and Wasteful Tests as the Fall Semester Begins Baltimore – PETA is kicking off the fall semester at Johns Hopkins University ( JHU ) with a new ad placed on six bus shelters near campus calling for an end to the school ’ s gruesome and deadly brain experiments on barn owls .
In addition , to reach students who are learning online this semester , PETA has placed the ad on the website of The Johns Hopkins News-Letter ( the school ’ s student paper ) as well as in The Baltimore Sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how experimenters cut into barn owls ’ skulls , implant electrodes in their brains , lock them in restraining devices for many hours , and then bombard them with noises and lights to observe their reactions .
The birds are eventually killed .
“ Johns Hopkins University has shown time and again that it doesn ’ t give two hoots about owls abused for its junk science , and this needs to stop , ” says PETA Vice President Shalin Gala .
“ PETA ’ s ad blitz exposes the millions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tormenting , and killing owls in crude brain experiments that aren ’ t applicable to humans.
” Funded by the National Institutes of Health and JHU with more than $ 2.5 million , experimenter Shreesh Mysore intends to use 50 to 60 barn owls in his current set of painful experiments , including six birds just for surgical practice for his staff .
Numerous published studies have shown that animal experimentation wastes resources and lives , as more than 90 % of basic research—much of it involving animal experimentation—fails to lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad appears on bus shelters at these intersections : PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to experiment on ” —opposes speciesism , a human-supremacist worldview .
For more information , please visit PETA.org or click here .

PETA Calls For End to Cruel and Wasteful Tests as the Fall Semester Begins
For Immediate Release:
August 31, 2020
Contact:
Amanda Tumbleson 202-483-7382
Baltimore – PETA is kicking off the fall semester at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) with a new ad placed on six bus shelters near campus calling for an end to the school’s gruesome and deadly brain experiments on barn owls. In addition, to reach students who are learning online this semester, PETA has placed the ad on the website of The Johns Hopkins News-Letter (the school’s student paper) as well as in The Baltimore Sun and on Facebook.
The ad details how experimenters cut into barn owls’ skulls, implant electrodes in their brains, lock them in restraining devices for many hours, and then bombard them with noises and lights to observe their reactions. The birds are eventually killed.
“Johns Hopkins University has shown time and again that it doesn’t give two hoots about owls abused for its junk science, and this needs to stop,” says PETA Vice President Shalin Gala. “PETA’s ad blitz exposes the millions of dollars and dozens of lives wasted by mutilating, tormenting, and killing owls in crude brain experiments that aren’t applicable to humans.”
Funded by the National Institutes of Health and JHU with more than $2.5 million, experimenter Shreesh Mysore intends to use 50 to 60 barn owls in his current set of painful experiments, including six birds just for surgical practice for his staff. Numerous published studies have shown that animal experimentation wastes resources and lives, as more than 90% of basic research—much of it involving animal experimentation—fails to lead to treatments for humans.
PETA’s ad appears on bus shelters at these intersections:
Charles Street and University Parkway
33 rd Street and Guilford Avenue
Street and Guilford Avenue Greenmount Avenue and Exeter Hall Avenue
North Avenue and St. Paul Street
York Road and E. Cold Spring Lane
York Road and Winston Avenue
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org or click here.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-31--Albertsons Nabs PETA Award for Hot Car Warning Signs

Supermarket Chain Will Help Keep Dogs and Kids From Dying of Heatstroke in Parked Cars Boise , Idaho – A Compassionate Business Award is on its way from PETA to locally based grocer Albertsons for its new signs warning shoppers about the dangers of leaving dogs and children in parked cars .
Just days after PETA shared with the company—which operates more than 2,200 locations nationwide—that temperatures can quickly soar in parked cars , causing dogs and children trapped inside to die from heatstroke within minutes , it quickly created new warning signs to display at its shopping centers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dozens of dogs and other animals who have baked to death after being left in a parked car , ” says PETA Vice President Colleen O ’ Brien .
“ Albertsons could save countless lives by reminding shoppers never to leave a vulnerable family member in the car.
” Twenty-six animals have died this year from heat-related causes .
PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for intervening in such life-or-death situations .
Dogs showing any symptoms of heatstroke—including restlessness , heavy panting , vomiting , or loss of coordination—should be taken into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and cooled off with a cool towel placed on their heads and chests .
A veterinarian should be called immediately .
Albertsons will receive an award letter , a framed certificate , and a box of delicious vegan chocolates .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to abuse in any way ” —opposes speciesism , which is a human-supremacist worldview .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .

Supermarket Chain Will Help Keep Dogs and Kids From Dying of Heatstroke in Parked Cars
For Immediate Release:
August 31, 2020
Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382
Boise, Idaho – A Compassionate Business Award is on its way from PETA to locally based grocer Albertsons for its new signs warning shoppers about the dangers of leaving dogs and children in parked cars.
Just days after PETA shared with the company—which operates more than 2,200 locations nationwide—that temperatures can quickly soar in parked cars, causing dogs and children trapped inside to die from heatstroke within minutes, it quickly created new warning signs to display at its shopping centers.
“Every year, PETA receives reports of dozens of dogs and other animals who have baked to death after being left in a parked car,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “Albertsons could save countless lives by reminding shoppers never to leave a vulnerable family member in the car.”
Twenty-six animals have died this year from heat-related causes. PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for intervening in such life-or-death situations.
Dogs showing any symptoms of heatstroke—including restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, or loss of coordination—should be taken into the shade, given water to drink, and cooled off with a cool towel placed on their heads and chests. A veterinarian should be called immediately.
Albertsons will receive an award letter, a framed certificate, and a box of delicious vegan chocolates.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-31--Mobile Video Billboard to Circle NIH Revealing Agency’s Nightmarish ‘Monkey Terror’ Tests

Washington – Today , a mobile billboard showing video footage of monkeys terrorized in a government laboratory will circle the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) campus in Bethesda , Maryland , and the nearby neighborhoods where NIH Director Francis Collins and experimenter Elisabeth Murray live .
This is the latest action in PETA ’ s campaign against Murray ’ s NIH-funded painful , invasive , and deadly experiments on monkeys .
The video—in which brain-damaged monkeys being terrorized with realistic-looking rubber snakes and spiders can be seen looking for an escape , freezing , turning away , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasted more than $ 36 million on these pointless and cruel tests .
Footage of Murray ’ s experiments has been viewed online more than 1.5 million times .
Before terrifying monkeys with fake snakes , Murray cuts open their skulls and injects toxins into their brains to inflict permanent and traumatic brain damage .
In 30 years of these “ psychology ” experiments , her laboratory has failed to develop a single treatment or cure for humans .
“ The public deserves to know that its government is using taxpayer dollars to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into monkeys ’ brains , ” says PETA neuroscientist Dr. Katherine Roe .
“ PETA ’ s mobile billboard will show the public—which has unwittingly been footing the bill for NIH ’ s horrors—why these indefensible experiments must end.
” In addition to the fright tests , monkeys used by Murray are subjected to procedures that cause them extreme pain and distress , including the following : • Monkeys are subjected to multiple invasive surgeries—including craniotomies , in which sections of their skulls are carved out , a head post is implanted at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their heads can be held stock-still , and a large hole is cut into their skulls so that experimenters can inject drugs into the brain .
• Monkeys are fitted with a metal or hard plastic collar and strapped into a restraint chair that keeps their head , arms , and/or legs immobilized .
For some experiments , their arms are tied behind their backs while their heads are kept still via a head post .
They are held in this manner for hours at a time , as often as five days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and water consumption is severely restricted so that they ’ ll be motivated to “ prompt [ ly ] respond ” to the experimenters and “ earn food or fluid … rewards.
” PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to experiment on ” —opposes speciesism , a human-supremacist worldview .
For more information , please visit PETA.org or click here .

Mobile Video Billboard to Circle NIH Revealing Agency's Nightmarish 'Monkey Terror' Tests
For Immediate Release:
August 31, 2020
Contact:
Amanda Tumbleson 202-483-7382
Washington – Today, a mobile billboard showing video footage of monkeys terrorized in a government laboratory will circle the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus in Bethesda, Maryland, and the nearby neighborhoods where NIH Director Francis Collins and experimenter Elisabeth Murray live. This is the latest action in PETA’s campaign against Murray’s NIH-funded painful, invasive, and deadly experiments on monkeys. The video—in which brain-damaged monkeys being terrorized with realistic-looking rubber snakes and spiders can be seen looking for an escape, freezing, turning away, and shaking their cages—points out that NIH has wasted more than $36 million on these pointless and cruel tests. Footage of Murray’s experiments has been viewed online more than 1.5 million times.
Before terrifying monkeys with fake snakes, Murray cuts open their skulls and injects toxins into their brains to inflict permanent and traumatic brain damage. In 30 years of these “psychology” experiments, her laboratory has failed to develop a single treatment or cure for humans.
“The public deserves to know that its government is using taxpayer dollars to carry out Frankenstein experiments and inject toxins into monkeys’ brains,” says PETA neuroscientist Dr. Katherine Roe. “PETA’s mobile billboard will show the public—which has unwittingly been footing the bill for NIH’s horrors—why these indefensible experiments must end.”
In addition to the fright tests, monkeys used by Murray are subjected to procedures that cause them extreme pain and distress, including the following:
Monkeys are subjected to multiple invasive surgeries—including craniotomies, in which sections of their skulls are carved out, a head post is implanted at the top of their skulls so that their heads can be held stock-still, and a large hole is cut into their skulls so that experimenters can inject drugs into the brain.
Monkeys are fitted with a metal or hard plastic collar and strapped into a restraint chair that keeps their head, arms, and/or legs immobilized. For some experiments, their arms are tied behind their backs while their heads are kept still via a head post. They are held in this manner for hours at a time, as often as five days a week.
Monkeys’ food and water consumption is severely restricted so that they’ll be motivated to “prompt[ly] respond” to the experimenters and “earn food or fluid … rewards.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org or click here.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-31--PETA ‘Lobs’ a Bunch of Coconuts at Woodman’s President

Woodman 's Is One of Only a Few Still Selling Coconut Milk Brand That Uses Forced Monkey Labor Janesville , Wis. – Woodman ’ s President Clinton Woodman will receive a special delivery this week , courtesy of PETA : a bunch of fresh , humanely obtained coconuts to remind him that selling products obtained through forced monkey labor is coco-nuts .
Even though monkeys in Thailand are chained in barren environments , separated from their peers , driven insane , and forced to climb trees to pick coconuts for coconut milk sold by Chaokoh , Woodman ’ s is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brand .
More than 25,000 stores around the world—including chains Walgreens , Giant , and Food Lion—have pledged not to sell coconut products obtained through monkey labor after PETA shared with them the cruelty uncovered in its exposé of this practice in the Thai coconut industry .
“ Coconuts are sweet , but the ways in which monkeys in Thailand are deprived and exploited to pick them are anything but , ” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk .
“ Smart , sensitive primates don ’ t deserve to be subjected to bitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also sending coconuts and letters to the CEOs of Publix , Save Mart , and Wegmans to ask them to reconsider their business relationship with Chaokoh .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to abuse in any way ” —opposes speciesism , which is a human-supremacist worldview .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .
Greetings from PETA .
I hope this message finds you well .
We ’ ve sent you these coconuts in the hope of cracking open some dialog about reconsidering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brand sold by your company and implicated in a recent PETA Asia exposé of Thailand ’ s coconut industry .
This investigation revealed that Chaokoh is complicit in an industry that ’ s forcing monkeys—confined for life , sometimes with their teeth removed , always on chains , and often driven insane from being deprived of everything that ’ s natural and important to them—to collect coconuts .
It seems that monkeys used in the coconut industry are illegally captured in their natural habitat as babies .
Then , they endure abusive training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” which exploit the animals to entertain visitors through tricks such as riding bicycles and shooting basketballs .
Coercion is used to train them to pick coconuts , as they wouldn ’ t voluntarily do it .
The monkeys are isolated from their peers as they spend their lives chained , transported in cages , and forced to climb trees in order to collect coconuts .
The captive animals display stereotypic types of behavior , such as circling endlessly .
Similar abuse was found at all 13 randomly selected locations .
Chaokoh produces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its refusal to take a position against cruelty to animals is not sitting well with ethical consumers , and your own current position stands in contrast to that of the more than 25,000 other stores that have pledged not to purchase products from any company that depends on forced monkey labor .
We ’ d love to work together to get coconut products involving such labor off your shelves .
May we please hear from you ?

Woodman's Is One of Only a Few Still Selling Coconut Milk Brand That Uses Forced Monkey Labor
For Immediate Release:
August 31, 2020
Contact:
Nicole Meyer 202-483-7382
Janesville, Wis. – Woodman’s President Clinton Woodman will receive a special delivery this week, courtesy of PETA: a bunch of fresh, humanely obtained coconuts to remind him that selling products obtained through forced monkey labor is coco-nuts.
Even though monkeys in Thailand are chained in barren environments, separated from their peers, driven insane, and forced to climb trees to pick coconuts for coconut milk sold by Chaokoh, Woodman’s is one of the few holdouts still selling the brand. More than 25,000 stores around the world—including chains Walgreens, Giant, and Food Lion—have pledged not to sell coconut products obtained through monkey labor after PETA shared with them the cruelty uncovered in its exposé of this practice in the Thai coconut industry.
“Coconuts are sweet, but the ways in which monkeys in Thailand are deprived and exploited to pick them are anything but,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “Smart, sensitive primates don’t deserve to be subjected to bitter lives of forced labor.”
The group is also sending coconuts and letters to the CEOs of Publix, Save Mart, and Wegmans to ask them to reconsider their business relationship with Chaokoh.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA’s letter to Woodman follows.
August 31, 2020
Clinton P. Woodman
President
Woodman’s
Dear Mr. Woodman,
Greetings from PETA. I hope this message finds you well. We’ve sent you these coconuts in the hope of cracking open some dialog about reconsidering your business relationship with Chaokoh, a brand sold by your company and implicated in a recent PETA Asia exposé of Thailand’s coconut industry. This investigation revealed that Chaokoh is complicit in an industry that’s forcing monkeys—confined for life, sometimes with their teeth removed, always on chains, and often driven insane from being deprived of everything that’s natural and important to them—to collect coconuts.
It seems that monkeys used in the coconut industry are illegally captured in their natural habitat as babies. Then, they endure abusive training. Investigators visited “monkey schools,” which exploit the animals to entertain visitors through tricks such as riding bicycles and shooting basketballs. Coercion is used to train them to pick coconuts, as they wouldn’t voluntarily do it.
The monkeys are isolated from their peers as they spend their lives chained, transported in cages, and forced to climb trees in order to collect coconuts. The captive animals display stereotypic types of behavior, such as circling endlessly. Similar abuse was found at all 13 randomly selected locations.
Chaokoh produces coconuts for coconut milk that you sell. Its refusal to take a position against cruelty to animals is not sitting well with ethical consumers, and your own current position stands in contrast to that of the more than 25,000 other stores that have pledged not to purchase products from any company that depends on forced monkey labor.
We’d love to work together to get coconut products involving such labor off your shelves. May we please hear from you?
Sincerely,
Ingrid E. Newkirk
President