Look To The Stars News: PETA

Roger Moore Steps Up Battle Against Foie Gras

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Former James Bond star Roger Moore is continuing his fight against British supermarkets that stock Foie Gras by paying for and appearing in a new PETA ad placed outside the entrance to Selfridges Food Hall in central London.

Foie Gras is a pâté made from the livers of ducks and geese, and the actor is campaigning against the cruel way producers fatten the livers – up to two kilograms of mash are pumped into the birds’ stomachs through a pipe two or three times a day. The pipes sometimes puncture the birds’ throats, causing the animals to bleed to death.

The actor originally had a different image from the one used in mind, but the advertising agency deemed it as offensive.

“The ad agency deemed the image of the force-feeding of birds for foie gras offensive because it is offensive, but as foie gras production is too violent to show on an ad, surely this ‘torture in a tin’ is too violently produced for Selfridges [a British supermarket] to sell,” he said. “What I’m sure the public will find far more offensive is Selfridges’ refusal to stop selling foie gras, the production of which is so incredibly cruel that it is prohibited in Britain.”

The star is joined in his crusade by Phil Collins and Prince Charles.

“I have seen few things so revolting and shaming as the horrendous routine cruelty to ducks and geese that goes into the production of one of the world’s so-called culinary delicacies, foie gras,” wrote the veteran actor in the Daily Mail. “I refuse to speak to old friends who, even when they know how it is produced, are prepared to overlook the suffering for self-gratification.”

To watch a video narrated by Roger Moore about Foie Gras production, click here.

Stars Support PETA Anti-Seal Hunting Campaign

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

PETA has recruited some big names for support of its latest anti-seal hunting campaign and has launched an ad campaign with their help.

Stars such as Jennie Garth, Rachael Leigh Cook, Kelly Osbourne, Jorja Fox, Tricia Helfer, Perez Hilton, Shane Mosley and many more are featured in the new ads.

“Each year, the Canadian government allows sealers to beat and skin hundreds of thousands of seals,” states PETA on its website. “Baby seals, some merely weeks old, have their skulls smashed in or are shot for their fur. Many of these gentle animals may not even have eaten their first solid meals or taken their first swim before they are slaughtered.”

To view the Save The Seals ads click here, then join the campaign here.

Win Pamela Anderson's PETA PSA Costume

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pamela Anderson appears in a new PSA for PETA, and you have the chance to win her autographed costume.

The actress is the star of the charity’s Cruelty Doesn’t Fly PSA, set at an airport and featuring passengers being checked for leather, fur and other cruelty related fashion. Her fashion cop wardrobe, designed by top celebrity stylist Cannon, consists of knee-high boots, skimpy Chips-esque shorts, and a jeweled baton—and, of course, it’s 100 percent cruelty-free.

To win the outfit and watch the PSA, visit the PETA website here.

The competition ends October 9.

Chrissie Hynde To Protest At McDonalds

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Lunchtime diners at a downtown McDonald’s will get some food for thought on Monday, August 24, as Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders launches a provocative PETA campaign.

The singer will unveil her “i’m hatin’ it” parody ad (soon to be on billboards across the country) and present kids with PETA’s controversial “Unhappy Meals,” which include a menacing “Ronald McDonald” cutout, a mangled plastic chicken, and a “blood”-filled packet that urges McDonald’s to “Ketchup With the Times.”

The event will take place at 12 noon at McDonald’s, 242 S. 700 E., Salt Lake City.

Hynde and PETA are launching the campaign because McDonald’s in the U.S. refuses to adopt the less cruel slaughter standards that the company already uses in Europe. McDonald’s suppliers in this country use an outdated slaughter method that often causes birds to suffer broken wings and broken legs, have their throats cut while they are still conscious, and be scalded to death in defeathering tanks. PETA—along with McDonald’s own animal welfare advisory panel—has urged the company to require a less cruel slaughter method called “controlled-atmosphere killing” (CAK), which eliminates the worst abuses that birds suffer.

“McDonald’s means McCruelty as far as I’m concerned,” says longtime PETA spokesperson Chrissie Hynde. The rock star is also using her stage as a platform to urge a McDonald’s boycott and will toss “i’m hatin’ it” shirts to her audience. On Sunday, her world tour arrives in Salt Lake City, where she is playing at Red Butte Garden.

Bob Barker's Battle For Bears

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Emily Ray

Game show host Bob Barker has revealed his experience campaigning against the ‘sickening’ abuse of bears in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Following a visit to a roadside zoo, friends of the veteran TV personality were shocked at the appalling treatment of caged bears and informed Barker of what they witnessed, who then tipped off PETA, the animal rights organization.

‘There were six to seven bears in concrete cubicles,’ Barker wrote in a blog for CNN. ‘Their fur was hanging off, they were begging for food, and an employee was tossing one bear cub around by the scruff of his neck.’

Investigations by PETA uncovered a horror story of abuse and neglect relating to the bears – but when Barker tried to visit the zoos for himself, he was refused entry. He is now campaigning for these ‘beautiful’ creatures to be moved to a more comfortable and natural environment. Until then, he is urging people to stay away from Cherokee and ‘voice their support for allowing the bears to retire to a sanctuary’.

Visit www.peta.org for information on how you can help with the bears’ plight.

Kyra Sedgwick Opposes Elephant Cruelty

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Golden Globe-winner Kyra Sedgwick has sent a letter to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on behalf of PETA.

Hot on the heels of a PETA undercover investigation that exposed how Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circuses beat their elephants, Kyra has urged Bloomberg to make this summer the last time that Ringling Bros. is invited to perform in Coney Island.

“I was extremely disheartened when I learned from my friends at PETA that Ringling Bros. received your support to bring its circus to Coney Island,“ she wrote. "Ringling’s lengthy history of animal abuse and neglect and its pending federal trial alleging that the circus’s routine abuse of elephants with bullhooks and chains violates the Endangered Species Act are reasons enough for New York City to distance itself from the circus. Can I please have your assurance that this will be the last time that Ringling is invited to perform in Coney Island?“

PETA recently released a video showing the elephants being beaten.

“Elephants are complex animals who require a great deal of space and humane handling to ensure that their social, physical, and psychological needs are met. Using bullhooks and keeping elephants chained is immensely cruel. Please do your part as New York’s mayor to minimize the misery that these gentle giants are enduring this summer in Coney Island. There is no room for animal cruelty at this wonderful landmark.“

To read the letter in its entirety, click here.

Buy Guitar String Bracelets And Support Charity

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Music fans now have the chance to wear their love of Rock on their sleeves for charity.

Wear Your Music is a New York-based organization that creates 100% eco-friendly jewelry that rocks – literally. The company makes used guitar strings from artists spanning the musical spectrum into stylish bracelets. 100% of the proceeds from the bracelets goes to charities of the artists’ choice, such as UNICEF, Rock the Vote, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Nordoff-Robbins, MusiCares, PETA, HeadCount, The Nature Conservancy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Keep A Child Alive, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Smile Train and many more.

Over 150 musicians have personally donated guitar strings to the initiative, including Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Metallica, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Ben Harper, Avril Lavigne, Carrie Underwood, Carlos Santana and Death Cab for Cutie.

“These are strings that these musicians have used and would normally throw away,” says co-president and designer Hannah Garrison, “It’s great that we can recycle them and also offer people a chance to wear rock n roll on their wrists.” In addition, the fine silver used on each bracelet is also 100% recycled, as is the DVD case each bracelet comes in. "Supporting good causes and the environment have always been important, but even more so now.”

To check out the bracelets and make a purchase, visit the official Wear Your Music website.

Gillian Anderson And PETA Help Form New Law

Thu, 07 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

As the European Commission is finalising a new law on animal experimentation across the European Union, actress Gillian Anderson and PETA want to make sure that it comes out in favour of the animals.

Anderson has emailed a letter to the European Parliament asking for Europe “to stop returning to the darkest days of vivisection. I urge you to act in the interests of compassion when the MEPs vote on the proposed directive on the protection of animals used in scientific procedures. I have been dismayed to learn of proposals introduced to the draft legislation which will have a devastating effect on animal welfare and completely prevent governments from effectively regulating animal experiments on behalf of the citizens of the European Union. Please vote to protect animals, promote good science and ensure proper oversight in the First Reading of the proposed directive in May.”

PETA is urging the public to also contact their Members of European Parliament to make their opinions heard. PETA’s website says, “Many of those who use animals will be resisting our changes and lobbying the politicians to try to water down the proposals that already exist. Those who oppose us have money and influence, and we must counter them by ensuring that politicians know that voters want to see real protection for animals.”

Determined to hold her MEP accountable, Gillian ends her letter: “Please contact me (through PETA) to let me know how you intend to vote on this critical issue. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

Smashing Pumpkins Support PETA Petition

Thu, 07 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Last month, Smashing Pumpkins members Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin joined the growing list of compassionate musicians who have teamed up with peta2 US, the youth arm of PETA, to sign a petition aimed at KFC – and they are asking their fans to do the same.

In the petition, Corgan and former Smashing Pumpkins drummer Chamberlin urge KFC to “improve the lives of” chickens who “suffer from extremely crowded conditions, crippling bone and joint problems resulting from top-heavy breeding, callous handling, inhumane slaughter techniques, and shortened life spans”. The nearly 1 billion chickens slaughtered for KFC every year have their sensitive beaks cut off and are drugged and abused.

Smashing Pumpkins joins an ever-growing list of musicians, including Bat For Lashes, Fall Out Boy, Rise Against and Hadouken, that have teamed up with peta2 US to speak out against KFC’s suppliers’ blatant abuse of chickens.

“Corgan and Chamberlin know that kids are fed up with the inhumane treatment of animals, and they’re not going to stand for it anymore”, says peta2 US Assistant Director of Youth Campaigns Dan Shannon. “After all, if KFC executives treated people the way their suppliers treat chickens, they’d be languishing in prison for the rest of their lives.”

For more information and to sign the petition, please visit peta2.com.

Audrina Patridge Poses For PETA

Fri, 01 May 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Hills actress Audrina Patridge has appeared in a new ad for PETA, saying “Be an angel for animals.”

The actress is pictured wearing angel wings and holding a rescued dog by the name of Speedy Gonzalez in the ad.

“I wanted to get involved with PETA because I’ve always been passionate about animals, and I think this is a great way to make people and all my fans aware of all the animals that need a home,“ she said. “And a lot of people go to pet stores and breeders to buy their animals, but you should adopt, so go to an animal shelter and rescue a dog.”

The ad is part of PETA’s ongoing campaign encouraging people to adopt animals from shelters. And to celebrate the ad, PETA is giving away free copies of The Hills DVDs signed by the actress. To enter, visit the PETA website.

To watch a behind-the-scenes video about shooting the ad, click here.

Look To The Stars Exclusive: An Interview With Corey Feldman

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Brandy Reynolds

Run through your top 10 favorite films from the 1980’s, and chances are that Corey Feldman will feature in at least one of them. From The Goonies to Gremlins to Stand By Me to The Lost Boys to Friday the 13th:The Final Chapter, his is a face a whole generation grew up recognizing.

Recent viewers may recognize Feldman from The Two Coreys, a reality show on the A&E Network that also starred Corey Haim. Since the late 90’s, he has also been enjoying success with his band, the Truth Movement, but it is charity work that keeps the actor and musician occupied for much of his time. With interests in animal welfare, environmental issues and several other causes, Feldman was awarded the Paws of Fame Award by the Wildlife Way Station.

Look To The Stars’ reporter Brandy Reynolds was lucky enough to catch up with Corey recently to chat about his work towards making the world a better place.

Hi Corey… can you tell us about some of the charities you support?

I support a lot of charities, I’m very involved with several different charities on all different levels. I can kind of give you the hit list .

I can’t really be selective. All are meaningful. At the top of the list would be the The Humane Society, PETA, Farm Sanctuary , Last Chance for Animals. All relatively related to each other. All related to animal rights and animal protection and health and welfare of animals.

And there’s environmental… Greenpeace, Global Green, Save Our Earth… and cancer charities, children’s charities like Camp Rainbow, the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I try to lend my voice to those who don’t have a voice of their own. Which is why I talk about animals, children, or environment – because those 3 topics don’t have their own representative.

Were you raised to think about others, or is there a certain event in your life that made you really want to get involved with charity work?

I’ve always cared about others, I myself was raised in a very abusive house hold. I spent most of my life very poor – always living hand to mouth and figuring out where the next meal was coming from… that was a big part of my life. So that made me very sympathetic to the less fortunate; and my mother was a huge animal rights advocate. When I was a child working as actor she had me involved with a group called Actors and Others for Animals which was one of the first animal rights organizations based out of Hollywood. So I was involved with them very early on… probably seven or eight years old -running around rescuing dogs and bringing them to our home. Shortly after that we ended up with 30 dogs and 20 cats living at our ranch.

We were really consumed with trying to save the world – and at that point of course no one was really doing what we were doing, there wasn’t really a lot of vegetarianism and animal rights activism. By the time I was 10 years old, I was resigned to the fact the I wanted to be a vegetarian for the rest of my life. However, growing up in a strict family environment, my grandparents where old Jewish traditional type people and thought I was crazy for wanting to be a vegetarian. It took until I was about 13 years old when I made the decision to be a strict vegetarian… and have been every since, and it’s been about 24 years for me now.

What would you recommend others do to get involved and what can they do?

There’s a lot you can do and it depends where you want to focus your time and energy. For me, I say anything you can do to help another struggling being [is great]. If you have the opportunity, just do it. That could mean anything from going down to the homeless shelters and feeding people, or if you have food you can go down to the homeless shelters and give it to them. You can hand out things to people on the streets – I don’t suggest handing out money because you don’t know what it’s going to be spent on.

You can get involved , you can be come a volunteer at any countless number of shelters or abuse clinics or hospitals. As far as environmental causes and helping the world goes – become environmentally safer and more eco friendly. There are small things you can do at home, such as using only bio-degradable products, earth-friendly products, making sure you turn your lights off, separate plastic and metals… every little bit that a human being does can push us forward in the battle of trying to restore our earth.

Do you feel Hollywood should set a better example?

I think the wheels are in motion and it’s certainly a hot point that people are progressively thinking about escalating this battle to the next level and making sure that we are setting a example. If you look around, everything is green this and green that. But there’s always more that can be done. For example, I put out a album a couple of months ago with my band, Truth Movement, and we wanted to kind of raise the bar when it came to environmental products and doing things environmentally friendly. So we released it under my own label in order that we could release it on one hundred percent recyclable biodegradable materials – the package is one hundred percent recyable material, the tray is corn plastic and we used soy wheat to print the images. Our first single is called Green Is The Color, so right there that was a way that I made my mark with my band to set a example. Yes it can be done in the end. It cost us a little bit more , but it can be done. And it’s worth it because we are making a statement that we are not going to keep taking the easier softer way.

What can we tell the people to look forward to and watch for in your up-coming projects?

Theres a couple of things. We’re doing a live premiere of our record release party in which I just mentioned. It’s call Technology Analogy. That event is planned at the Key Club on April 10th .

We are also talking to Weed Ware. They make materials out of weed instead of regular material. One of the things they focus on is they make all band materials out of weed. And we are now using all weed materials in our band (drum sticks and guitar picks).

Another thing we’re doing – I can’t say that this is done yet – but we are trying to have all of our musical performances completely green. It’s not one hundred percent yet , but we are trying.

On April 16 we are headlining an event at the Whiskey on Sunset which is going to be for the animal awareness week. So we basically have a series of events that are directed at raising awareness and financing efforts to stop animal testing. And on March 28, my wife Susie – who is also a huge animal and environmental activist (she is the one who got me involved) – will be presenting an award at the Genesis Awards at the Beverley Hilton.

Look To The Stars would like to thank Corey Feldman for taking the time to talk to us and share his thoughts on making the world a better place. To find out more about his efforts and upcoming events, visit Coreyfeldman.net or Myspace.com /technologyanalogy.

Pink And Ricky Gervais Speak For Animals

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Rocker Pink and comedian Ricky Gervais give voices to animals in the new PETA video, Stolen For Fashion.

In the short but effective clip, Pink the stripped alligator and Ricky the naked rabbit ask for their skins back from the woman who now has them in the form of a purse and coat. Their point: “All exotic furs and skins are stolen.”

This is not the first time for either star to lend a voice to PETA campaigns. On PETA’s website, Pink narrates a graphic and disturbing video about the cruelty inflicted upon sheep in the wool industry. Also on the website is the letter Gervais penned to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, criticising the use of real black bear fur in the ceremonial caps of the Queen’s guards.

Despite the alternatives to the gruesome practices of raising and destroying animals for skin, fur and wool, it remains a part of the fashion industry because there is still a market for it.

Pink says, “There are lots of clothes to buy for a look that kills without killing anything.”

Ricky the Rabbit says, “What kind of a person steals a guy’s coat?”

The video can be viewed here.

Win Morrissey Tickets With PETA

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fans of British singer Morrissey have the chance to win tickets to his almost sold-out tour of the UK and US with PETA.

The charity has 21 pairs of tickets to Morrissey concerts to give away in celebration of the release of his new album, Years of Refusal. The former lead singer of The Smiths has been a long-time advocate of vegetarianism and animal rights, and was honored by PETA with the Linda McCartney Memorial Award at their 25th Anniversary Gala on 10 September 2005. A vegetarian since the age of 11, Morrissey inspired a whole generation of vegetaians with The Smith’s 1985 album, Meat Is Murder.

From the PETA website: “On today’s factory farms, animals are crammed by the thousands into filthy windowless sheds, wire cages, or gestation crates. When they have finally grown large enough, animals raised for food are crowded onto trucks and transported over many miles through all weather extremes to the slaughterhouse. Once there, animals have their throats cut, often while they are still fully conscious. Many are still conscious when they are plunged into the scalding-hot water of defeathering or hair-removal tanks or while their bodies are being skinned or hacked apart. By going vegetarian, you can save more than 100 animals each year from this horrible fate.”

For your chance to win tickets to the concert of your choice, click here. The competition ends on May 30.

Pamela Anderson Steps Up For The Apes In Florida

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pamela Anderson was in Florida on Saturday, March 14, to celebrate the 20th anniversary for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) – an event hosted by Bob Barker – after writing an open letter to Florida governor Charlie Crist about ‘road-side zoos’ in the state, in which she says chimpanzees and other animals are kept in less-than-adequate enclosures.

“With so many frustrated great apes stewing in squalid facilities in Florida, it is only a matter of time before a similar tragedy strikes your state,” she wrote. “PETA and I appeal to you to take action to prevent Florida’s roadside zoos from keeping great apes and to ensure that these intelligent primates are transferred to approved sanctuaries to live out the remainder of their lives in suitable surroundings.”

Held at the Broward County Convention Center in Ft Lauderdale, the event featured delicious vegan food, entertainment, an awards ceremony, speeches, book signings, an open bar featuring organic Floridian wine and a silent auction that included items such as an “LA Confidential” poster signed by Kim Basinger and a jersey signed by Yao Ming.

ARFF is a non-profit organization working toward preventing animal cruelty, and relies upon donations from people like you in order to continue. Established in 1989, ARFF reaches out to the public through demonstrations and outreach events, letters to the editor, and personal appearances by their spokespersons on radio, television, before civic groups and in school classrooms. They also promote the well-being of animals through meetings with, and campaigns directed at, industry and community decision-makers. More information about the organization and how you can donate can be found at their website.

Jamie Bamber Bares All For Bears

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

PETA’s newest instalment of the “Bare Skin, Not Bear Skin” campaign stars actor Jamie Bamber as himself, baring his skin and speaking out against the use of real bear skins in the caps of the Queen’s guards.

Frustrated that black bears are still being killed for the use of their fur in uniforms, Bamber says, “These caps are just ceremonial caps. They serve no purpose. Why kill more animals? The obvious alternative is to make caps out of faux fur. They’re not to keep warm. It’s not particularly freezing outside Buckingham Palace. You could wear something else. It just seems to me a no-brainer.”

He’s also opposed to the methods used in catching the animals in Canadian forests. “What these hunters do is basically trap these bears,” says Bamber. “[Hunters] bait them into coming out of their natural behaviour or routes and modes and shoot them as they eat the bait they’ve been set.

“Animals just represent a very easy target, I think. We’ve abused them for far too long. We should just be responsible in terms of the way we cohabit. I just don’t understand how as humans we haven’t quite bridged that understanding.”

Pink To Star In New PETA Ad

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British funny man Ricky Gervais has revealed that he has joined a very special star for a new charity ad.

The comedian has posted a blog in which he says he has recorded the ad with Pink for PETA.

“Did a cinema charity ad for PETA,“ wrote Gervais. “It’s a great idea and I play a rabbit, and Pink plays an alligator. I’ll post it when it’s all finished and shiny.“

Gervais is no stranger to charity work. Last year he appeared in the 2nd annual Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, and has also been involved in benefit shows for the Teenage Cancer Trust. He also committed the profits from a series of 2006 warm-up shows for his 2007 stand-up comedy tour to MacMillan Cancer Support.

The new ad sounds intriguing… be sure to check back to Look To The Stars and we’ll let you know when it’s shiny enough to be released.

LTTS Exclusive: Celebrity Babes Come Out To PLAY For Charity

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Last weekend in Los Angeles celebrities showed up at infamous Saddle Ranch Chop House on Sunset Boulevard for the second annual ‘Babes on the Bull’ charity event to benefit P.L.A.Y. (Providing Laughter and Amusement for Youth), an organization that collects new toys, books and games and distributes them to children in hospitals, shelters and other organizations.

Guests packed the Saddle Ranch for an afternoon of ‘LA’s hottest girls’ riding the mechanical bull for charity with extra entertainment in the form of fire dancers (Fire Groove) and a live auction which included amazing seats at a Laker’s game, VIP booths at LA’s hippest clubs, golf outings, LA Dodgers baseball tickets and others. The best aspect of the auction was that everyone entering the Ranch-including the general public- received a hundred-dollar voucher to use towards auction items.

Celebrities who lent their name and came out to PLAY for the cause included: Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean, actress AnnaLynne McCord (90210), MTV’s ‘Wild N Out’ stars D.J. D-Wrek and Leonard Robinson, Warrant front man Jani Lane, actress Claudia Jordon, David Faustino (Married w/Children, STAR-VING), Gladiator Romeo, Cory & Susie Feldman, Amanda Detmer, Colleen Shannon, Jaimarie Bjorge, model/actress Kaki West, recording artist Oryon, ‘Vacancy 2’ star Lola Davidson, and actress Kelly Monaco.

Warrant front man Jani Lane was all smiles as he arrived and admitted that he’s never ridden a mechanical bull.

Actor David Faustino, who lives within walking distance of the venue, was happy to lend his support for a great cause. “I figured I’d come out today and support the cause” he said on the red carpet, “I live in the neighborhood, so you know, I give a little cheer, a little money and you know-promote, the whole package.”

Corey and Susie Feldman, the power couple who star in the A&E hit show ‘The Two Coreys’, were genuinely excited to take part in the event. “We’re here to support the kids of course,” said Corey. Granted, Corey is no stranger to giving back big-time to the community while also promoting animal rights. He’s a spokesperson for PETA, Farm Sanctuary, The Humane Society, MoveOn, and Greenpeace, and was awarded the Paws of Fame Award by the Wildlife Way Station for his dedication to animal rights.

Inside the venue, the crowd was pumped up as girls took to the bull to raise cash for the kids. And it wasn’t just “babes’ who rode the bull, a few celebrities gave it a try. First to give it a shot was actress Jaimarie Bjorge, who remained in the saddle for the duration of the ride and got the crowd pumped up for the rest of the riders.

All in all, this was a great event for a great cause and no doubt, there are quite a few grateful children in Los Angeles today.

The Pretenders Launch Charity YouTube Competition

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders – along with PETA and YouTube – are putting together a contest where fans can make their own video for the band’s hit song “Boots Of Chinese Plastic” from their latest album Break Up The Concrete.

Fans and animal lovers are being asked to create videos via YouTube, lip synching the song “Boots Of Chinese Plastic.” Contestants are also asked to show off their boots or shoes of plastic somewhere in the performance. One winner will be chosen by the band and later flown to Los Angeles to perform their version in the band’s video for the song.

“This is a fun way to raise awareness for a very serious cause,“ said Hynde. “We are looking forward to seeing our fans and animal loving friends perform Boots of Chinese Plastic via YouTube”

The video will debut on the PETA, YouTube and Pretenders websites in an effort to raise awareness for PETA.

“We’re excited to have the casting net for this special Pretenders video be open to everyone via You Tube, with the promotion help of Apple QuickTime. The winner is going to have a lot of fun while supporting a great cause,” said Cory Llewellyn, head of digital promotion at Shangri La Music.

Band founder Chrissie Hynde has been one of the most outspoken activist for animal rights and has been a member of PETA for many years.

For more information, click here.

Mickey Rourke Gets Tough For PETA

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Tough guy Mickey Rourke is the latest actor to feature in an advert for PETA’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) campaign.

“Have the cojones to fix your dog,“ the ad – which features Rourke and his pet Chihuahua, Jaws – reads. “When dogs get knocked up, puppies get put down because there aren’t enough homes for them.”

The actor is well known for his love of dogs, and even thanked them during the 2009 Golden Globe awards when he won for his role in The Wrestler.

“Sometimes when a man’s alone, all you’ve got is your dog,“ he said. “They’ve meant the world to me.”

According to PETA, more than 7 million dogs and cats are turned in to U.S. animal shelters every year, and almost half of these will be euthanized because there aren’t enough good homes for them. Their ABC campaign aims to stop this by encouraging people to spay or neuter their pets. Patricia Arquette has also featured in an ad for the campaign.

Mickey Rourke’s new ad can be seen at the PETA website.

Patricia Arquette Envisions World With No Homeless Pets

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Medium star Patricia Arquette has appeared in PETA’s newest ABC ad.

“Envision a World With No Homeless Dogs or Cats” is the title of the new ad, which encourages people to spay or neuter their pets and never buy pets from pet stores or breeders (adopt them from shelters instead).

“One of my best friends is a woman named Whitney Smith and she works with the REVA foundation,“ said Arquette. "She’s constantly rescuing animals… and she’s educated me about the horrors that animals in Los Angeles face. Half a million dogs and cats are put down in California every year—[one] every three seconds… I had heard over the years people say, “I don’t want to spay them before they have a chance to have babies.” There are half a million animals in our own state who are killed every year just because people want to have that experience.“

According to PETA, more than 7 million dogs and cats are turned in to U.S. animal shelters every year, and almost half of these will be euthanized because there aren’t enough good homes for them. Arquette believes people need to do more to make their pets’ lives happy: "Play with them, kiss them, pet them, walk them. Take them out whenever they can. Let them have adventures. Smell the world.“

The new ad can be seen on the PETA website.

Oprah Named PETA's Person Of The Year

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:31:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Oprah Winfrey has been named Person of the Year by PETA.

PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said that Winfrey “used her powerful voice to defend those without one,” and was selected for using her talk show to raise awareness of issues such as puppy mills and the treatment of chickens and other animals in factory farms. She also went on a vegan diet for a week, and in April dedicated an episode of her show to her late cocker spaniel Sophie.

Previous winners of the PETA award include U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia in 2007 and the founders of the San Francisco-based cleaning product company Method in 2006.

The animal rights group says it will send Winfrey an award plaque and a letter of appreciation in recognition of her compassion towards animals.

To read what else PETA said about Oprah’s award, click here.

Emmylou Harris Wants You To Unchain Your Dog

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Country music legend Emmylou Harris has recorded a new radio PSA for PETA encouraging people to unchain their dogs this Holiday season.

The 61-year-old – who founded her own animal shelter – is raising awareness of the mistreatment of dogs and is encouraging people to bring them indoors and let them be part of the family.

“Keeping a dog on a chain or in a pen is about the worst thing a person could ever do to them,” she says in the message. “It goes against everything a dog is – social, a pack animal, eager to please. Chaining a dog hurts its body and its mind. It’s actually a form of animal abuse.”

According to PETA: “Wintry weather means extra hardship for “backyard” dogs. Chained dogs often have nowhere to go to escape the cold and snow. They suffer from frostbite, exposure, and dehydration when water sources freeze… U.S. animal shelters must put nearly 4 million dogs and cats to death every year because of simple math: There are too many animals and not enough worthy adoptive homes. Millions more animals are condemned to a sad life of loneliness, isolated outside with no exercise or attention.“

As well as being a staunch supporter of animal rights, Harris is also heavily involved in causes such as feminism and is an organizer of the annual Concert for a Landmine Free World, which raises money for the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation’s anti-landmine campaign.

The full PETA PSA can be heard here.

Pamela Anderson Pens PETA Letter

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pamela Anderson was in Amsterdam this weekend to take part in the luxury goods expo the Millennium Fair, and took the opportunity to write a letter to the Netherlands’ Queen on behalf of PETA.

Anderson called on Queen Beatrix to ban fur farming in The Netherlands – an issue that is currently a hot topic in the European country.

“I’m thrilled to be visiting Holland this week not only because of the country’s charm but also because of its progressive outlook on two issues close to my heart: sex and animal rights,“ wrote Anderson. “These topics overlap when it comes to fur: Nothing has less sex appeal than a fur coat. I was thrilled to learn from PETA and Bont voor Dieren that Holland has banned several kinds of fur farming, and I hope it will consider enacting a ban on all types of fur farming. The majority of Dutch citizens are opposed to wearing fur, and a ban on fur farming would be an enormous inspiration for other countries and animal lovers around the world. I hope my presence at the Millionaire Fair will encourage people to consider that they can have a look that kills without killing and that nobody should support gassing, strangling, or electrocuting animals—especially for a luxury item.“

Whilst at the Millennium Fair, Anderson also appeared on stage during a magic act by Dutch illusionist Hans Klok.

Kristen Johnston Bares Her Soul - And More - For PETA

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former 3rd Rock From The Sun actress Kristen Johnston has appeared in a sexy new advert for PETA.

The 41-year-old actress has stripped off for the ad and appears in a Lady Godiva-type pose on horseback in a bid to stop New York’s horse-and-carriage industry. She joins a host of other stars who have already raised awareness of the plight of the horses used to tow carriages around Central Park, including Pink, Chrissie Hynde, and Alec Baldwin.

According to PETA: “Horses used in the horse-drawn carriage industry are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them. These gentle, social animals are denied the opportunity to socialize with other horses, graze in fields, and run free.“

“I was blown away by how these horses live, or actually I should say, don’t live,“ said Johnston. “The horses go from this horrible job, where they’re pulling people through the streets of Manhattan all day, to this tiny jail cell in this building that’s like a cramped parking garage. I’d say to tourists considering coming to New York, there’s so much amazing stuff to do here. But please do something else. Go ice-skating, see a show, go shopping. I hope within the next year that there are no more horse-drawn carriages.”

The advertising campaign will debut in Central Park on Thursday, November 20, and has drawn support from New York City council member Dan Garodnick, who aims to phase out horse-drawn carriages and replace them with eco-friendly "horseless carriages.“

Natalie Imbruglia Says No To Fur In PETA Campaign

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia is the latest celebrity to pose for anti-fur advertisements for PETA.

The 33-year-old singer appears in a new campaign about the “tortuous” methods used to kill animals for fur. Pictured cuddling a very fluffy rabbit in a photo shot recently in London by celebrity photographer Karl Grant, Imbruglia was extremely excited about the campaign. But her plans to do a live launch were hindered by her recording commitments.

“There is no kind way to rip the skin off animals’ backs,“ she said. “In the wild, animals are caught in snares and steel-jaw traps that slam down on their limbs – they often cut down to the bone and mutilate animals’ legs and paws… Anyone who wears any fur shares the blame for the torture and gruesome deaths of millions of animals each year.”

The campaign can be viewed at the PETA website.

Joan Jett Rocks For PETA

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Joan Jett might love rock ‘n’ roll, but she also loves animals and the planet.

The 50-year-old vegan rocker has recorded a 30 second PSA for PETA, explaining how cutting meat out of your diet is not only good for you, but good for the whole planet.

“Factory farming is one of the biggest contributers to one of the most serious environmental problems,“ said the star. “The meat industry causes more greenhouse gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world.“

Jett is also a big supporter of the USO, and has toured for them for over 20 years.

The full PETA PSA can be viewed here.

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