Ambivalent about literature from PETA

[luvflorida]

DD14 is a vegetarian and a huge animal lover. On her 13th birthday I presented her with a membership in PETA, (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), and have continued to make donations. She receives monthly magazines, news updates, letters, etc.

Daughter is delighted with the membership because she knows that the money goes to help stop cruelty toward animals, for animal rights, and to educate people about animal treatment. However, I have a problem with some of the literature PETA sends out.

Most of the magazines and pamphlets have VERY graphic photos and stories of abused, and horribly tortured animals. Since I usually get the mail first, I have a chance to screen the literature, and most of it I look at then throw it away before my daughter sees it. Some of the stories and photos bring tears to my eyes, and I know that my daughter would be very upset if she saw these things.

Has anyone else seen PETA's literature? I applaud them for all the terrific work they do and I'm extremely grateful for all they've done for animals. I just wish they had a way of presenting the information in a less graphic way.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I just wish they had a way of presenting the information in a less graphic way.

If they did, then their donations would probably drop. They seem to be a group that relies on the "shock value" alot.

 

[Mama Twinkles]

I hate to say it, but they are the public face of the Animal Liberation Front, which is a violent group.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I hate to say it, but they are the public face of the Animal Liberation Front, which is a violent group.

PETA is disgusting IMO.

 

[luvflorida]

I hate to say it, but they are the public face of the Animal Liberation Front, which is a violent group.

Can you elaborate? I've never heard of this.

 

[Mama Twinkles]

Can you elaborate? I've never heard of this.

Here's one article that references the connection: http://www.consumerfreedom.com/news_detail.cfm/headline/2857

A Google search on "PETA ALF" or on Ingrid Newkirk will turn up many more. The radical animal-rights supporters believe that all animals are morally equivalent. Not sure how they feel about protists, but in either event it would be hypocritical for them to use antibiotics (tested on animals).

 

[wvrevy]

Can you elaborate? I've never heard of this.

Just ignore it, luvflorida. It's just conspiracy theory run amock.

As for the literature, it's important for people to know what is going on in order to make an educated decision about getting involved or not. Personally, I applaud your support of your daughter, including scanning the material to make sure there is nothing to inflammatory in there.

PETA gets demonized for some of their more outragious positions, but they also do a lot of really good work that nobody else is doing. I think it's great that your daughter wants to be involved.

(oh, and no, I'm not a member of PETA...Personally, I love steak, and don't have a major problem with animals being raised for food, which kinda disqualifies me. But, as I said, they do a lot of important work in a lot of areas, so I'm often on the same side of the debate that they fall on.)

 

[HTH]

PETA is disgusting IMO.

I agree.

 

[sixcats]

Years ago I belonged to Peta. When I read some of the literature and realized HOW they get their point across, I stopped donating. I feel better donating to small domestic animal shelters. I don't feel comfortable donating to organizations that advocate scare tactics and violence to further their cause.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I feel better donating to small domestic animal shelters. I don't feel comfortable donating to organizations that advocate scare tactics and violence to further their cause.

Me too! I have to say I am an animal LOVER.....I adore my kitties and I hate to see animals abused or mistreated....I donate to my local animal shelter and I KNOW I am making a difference in a stray's life.

 

[luvflorida]

...they also do a lot of really good work that nobody else is doing.

This is how I've always felt concerning PETA, but the ambivalence creeps in when I see some of their literature.

 

[luvflorida]

I feel better donating to small domestic animal shelters.

We are also members of our local animal shelter and donate annually.

I am also a member of the National Zoo, and for daughter's 15th birthday this month, I "adopted" a species in her name. When we visited the zoo last April, she fell in love with the tiny monkeys called Golden Lion Tamarins. She will receive a plush animal, certifcate, information sheet and photo of a Golden Lion Tamarin. The donation goes to help support the zoo.

And Henry, below, came home with us last year after a visit to the local animal shelter. He is a real sweetie!

 

[Tanuki]

I used to think PETA was "the good guys" then they lied, lied, lied about something Clay Aiken said in an interview in order to get cheap publicity for themselves (and didn't care about the misrepresentation as they were doing it) and I have had absolutely no respect for their organization ever since.

 

[poohandwendy]

Years ago I belonged to Peta. When I read some of the literature and realized HOW they get their point across, I stopped donating. I feel better donating to small domestic animal shelters. I don't feel comfortable donating to organizations that advocate scare tactics and violence to further their cause.

I couldn't have said it better.

 

[grlpwrd]

Well, a recent situation turned me more off: http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=3557732

Plus, they are hyprocritical to me. They had to dredge their headquarters in Norfolk in order to build. Hurting the environment and ecosystem .. makes me wonder.

 

[Username]

One of Penn & Teller's Bulls***! from the second season dealt with them...I do not care for them and would not advocate anyone funding them after viewing that. So many other worthy charities to throw money at over them.

The episode on that show had, before the article mentioned..how many animals PETA "rescued"...was around 1000*. Animals "saved"...around 7*.
The rest were euthanized. By Peta.

(I don't recall the exact numbers...first could have been around 700-ish or even 800-ish. Second number was close but I may have given them a bit more credit. Not good numbers though.) Your local no-kill shelter, Humane Society, vets assoc for spay and neuter or zoo is a much better place to fund. Seriously.

 

[Planogirl]

PETA does some good work but their style is a bit too strong for me. They do raise awareness though and like it or not, they have helped bring about needed change. I seriously doubt that they have much to do with the other group that is mentioned. Some tend to paint all animal-rights groups with the same broad brush.

I've given to the SPCA and still belong to the NWF and the WWF (World Wildlife Fund, not the wrestling group!). They help animals too but in much different ways.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

The PETA people are really nutty. I have nothing against vegetarians, and my family walks the talk when it comes to saving animals. I have a brother who does dog rescue and a sister who rescues cats (plus a greyhound, recently). I would rather have my $$ going to a local organization that makes a difference.

Perhaps you might want to look at a different, less militant organization for your daughter to learn from? Maybe something local, where she could meet people and help out with, say, a no-kill shelter or pet adoption clinic? There are many small organizations that don't have PETA's budget, that would love to have her time and/or money.

 

[sixcats]

Just wanted to say how cute your Henry is

 

[caitycaity]

PETA is disgusting IMO.

ita. and i am an animal lover. i would never give any money of mine to PETA. there are hundreds of other organizations that do work with animals that are a lot better imo.