5 Things You Didn't Know About PETA

What do Sir Paul McCartney, Pamela Anderson and Bill Maher have in common? In addition to being fabulously wealthy they’re also ardent supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Based in Norfolk, Virginia, this animal-rights organization first gained notoriety in 1981 when cofounder Alex Pacheco conducted an undercover investigation inside a primate research lab. Since then, PETA has become the largest organization of its kind thanks to its ability to mobilize the media though outrageous stunts and campaigns.

“Probably everything we do is a publicity stunt,” PETA’s International President Ingrid Newkirk has admitted. “We are not here to gather members, to please, to placate, to make friends; we're here to hold the radical line.” Of course, you already knew that. Here are five things you probably didn’t know about PETA.

1- PETA has insulted the Jewish ADL
PETA ruffled some feathers in 2003 with its “Holocaust on Your Plate” campaign. The infamous ads consisted of stark black and white pictures that juxtaposed graphic images of the Holocaust with pictures of factory farming. Not surprisingly, representatives of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League (ADL) were repulsed by the crass campaign, and labeled it "outrageous” and “offensive.” According to ADL President Abraham H. Foxman, “The effort by PETA to compare the deliberate systematic murder of millions of Jews to the issue of animal rights is abhorrent… Rather than deepen our revulsion against what the Nazis did to the Jews, the project will undermine the struggle to understand the Holocaust and to find ways to make sure such catastrophes never happen again.”

To its credit, PETA eventually issued an official apology, but the damage had already been done. "Abusive treatment of animals should be opposed,” Foxman said, “but cannot and must not be compared to the Holocaust."

2- PETA has clashed with other activists
PETA’s laser-like focus has led to frequent dustups with other organizations. In addition to their well-publicized struggles with the Jewish ADL, PETA has also landed in hot water due to their aggressive I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur campaign. The ads, which feature naked and near-naked female models, have been attacked by feminists for their blatant objectification of women. Feminist and animal-rights advocate Carol J. Adams has been particularly vocal in her dissent, claiming, "I don't liberate animals over the bodies of women.”

Although questioning PETA tactics is nothing new, those closest to the organization claim it can have very detrimental effects. Just ask John Newton; the prominent Virginia activist claims that "If you're not radical enough, they drive you out." Merritt Clifton, founder and editor of Animal People is quick to agree. "Ingrid Newkirk runs PETA like a guru cult,” he says. “Sooner or later, everyone who questions her or upstages her in any way, no matter how unintentionally, ends up getting shafted in the most humiliating manner Newkirk can think of."

3- Crikey! PETA took shots at Steve Irwin
PETA’s vice president, Dan Matthews, recently took a few cheap shots at deceased conservationist Steve Irwin, claiming that the popular Crocodile Hunter "made a career out of antagonizing frightened wild animals, which is a very dangerous message to send to kids." Matthews went on to dismiss Irwin’s legacy, adding: "If you compare him with a responsible conservationist like Jacques Cousteau, he looks like a cheap reality TV star." The remarks came just days after Irwin had been viciously killed by a stingray, prompting Queensland National MP Bruce Scott to demand an official apology. "Isn't it interesting… how they want to treat animals ethically, but cannot even think for a minute whether or not their outlandish comments are ethical toward their fellow human beings," Scott said.

4- PETA has taken issue with several city names
If you’ve never heard of Fishkill, New York, you’re certainly not alone. After all, the sleepy village has a population of less than 2,000. Nonetheless, it still popped up on PETA’s radar in 1996 when the organization campaigned to have the town’s name changed to something a little less “fishy.”

Although the residents of Fishkill politely declined the invitation, PETA has since tried to rewrite history with the towns of Slaughterville, Oklahoma, Rodeo, California, and Hamburg, New York. In fact, PETA offered $20,000 worth of veggie burgers if Hamburg would change its name to Veggieburg. "I hope they get a little chuckle about it, and then I hope they think about it," PETA campaign coordinator Joe Haptas said at the time. "Our offer is serious as a heart attack."

For the record, Hamburg did think about it and declined. "With all due respect, I think (the hamburger) is a delicacy in our community," said Hamburg’s Town Hall supervisor Patrick Hoak. "In western New York and in the town of Hamburg, we're proud of our name and proud of our heritage. We're not going to easily give up that name."

5- They’ve killed plenty of animals
Although PETA’s goal of saving animals is noble, the majority of creatures the organization collects are never reclaimed or adopted. Therefore, in order to prevent overcrowding at their facilities, PETA euthanizes the unwanted animals instead. According to Ingrid Newkirk, "Our service is to provide a peaceful and painless death to animals who no one wants."

Nonetheless, not all of its methods are necessarily humane. PETA was criticized in 2005 when police discovered at least 18 animals that had been left in a supermarket dumpster by a pair of PETA employees. The employees have since been indicted on 22 counts of animal cruelty each and were expected to face a trial in North Carolina’s Hertford County Superior Court on November 13, 2006, but the trial was delayed for a seventh time.

The incident scarred many of those involved. According to the manager of the supermarket in question, "They just slung the doors (open) and started throwing dogs... beautiful cats. I saw a (dead) beagle last week that was pregnant... last week it was 23 or 24 dogs... it's happened to us nine times... they drove straight from there, straight here, and disposed of the dogs in 30 seconds."

Although this tragic episode does not reflect PETA’s policies, the fact remains that the organization does euthanize a staggering number of animals. According to the website PETAKillsAnimals.com, PETA put down more than 14,400 dogs, cats and other companion animals at its Norfolk headquarters. The organization also openly advocates euthanasia for certain breeds of dangerous animals, such as pit bull terriers.