More than 1.8 million people support PETA, making it the largest animal rights organization in the world! Find out more about PETA right here.
Fight for Animal Rights
PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. It was founded in 1980 by a couple of animal rights activists named Alex Pacheco and Ingrid Newkirk. PETA believes animals have just as many rights as humans, so they're "not ours to eat, wear, experiment on or use for entertainment." That means no meat, no milk, no fur, no wool, no leather, no zoos, no circuses and no medical research using animals!
Say No to Dissection!
PETA has created a school campaign called Cut Out Dissection, which tries to stop animal dissection in the classroom and replace it with more humane ways of learning about biology, like doing alternative research or using computer programs such as virtual dissection. Since some states have laws that give you the right to refuse to dissect, PETA wants you to speak up and just say no to cutting up cats, pigs, frogs, rabbits, fish, mice and other animals.
Celebrity Supporters
PETA has a ton of celebrity backing to help them fight for their cause! Here's just a few of 'em:
- Carrie Underwood
- Jessica Biel
- Natalie Portman
- Death Cab for Cutie
- Common
- Rob and Big
- Al Gore
- Simple Plan
- P!nk
- Carey Hart
- Sir Paul McCartney
- Sarah Jessica Parker
- Pamela Anderson
- Joss Stone
Be a PETA Kids Superstar!
It's okay to brag about bein' a superstar, as long as it's in the name of animal rights! If you or someone you know is steppin' up to protect animals, send an email to PETAKids@peta.org to nominate a superstar of the month!
Did You Know?
- PETA pelted a flour bomb at Paris Hilton for wearing fur!
- PETA secretly placed the winning bid for an eBay auction that offered fans a chance to dine with Beyonce Knowles. Over sushi, two PETA members confronted her about wearing fur coats and using fur in her clothing line, House of Dereon.
Related Stories:
- World Wildlife Fund Profile
- Fur: To Wear or Not to Wear?
- Animal Cruelty or Population Control?
- More Organization Profiles!