Group Joins Sherriff's Office in Effort to Bring Horse Abuser and Dog Killer to Justice

For Immediate Release:
January 9, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Summerfield, Fla. -- Over the last eight months, four young female miniature horses at Conder Minis, a miniature horse farm in Summerfield, have reportedly been sexually assaulted by an unknown intruder—repeatedly and savagely. The intruder may also be responsible for bludgeoning to death a 1½-year-old dog on the premises named Kye. Police have yet to make any arrests in connection with these incidents. That's why PETA is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these violent crimes.

Surveillance footage from the horse barn has shown a bearded white male in his 50s walking through the barn, possibly holding a weapon.

"Animal abusers are cowards," says PETA Director Martin Mersereau. "They take their issues out on the most defenseless beings available to them. Area residents have good reason to be concerned. According to law-enforcement agencies and leading mental-health professionals, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to all animals—including humans."

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 352-732-9111.

For more information, please visit PETA.org. To view PETA's anti-violence public service announcement featuring Inglourious Basterds star and Hostel director Eli Roth, please visit http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=eli_roth_violence_link_psa_peta.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 9, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Durango, Colo. -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With snow and low temperatures predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Wipe off your dogs' or cats' legs, feet, and stomachs after they come in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make your animals sick if they ingest them. You should also increase animals' food rations during the winter because they burn more calories in an effort to stay warm.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

For TV:PETA's cold-weather public service announcement featuring Justin Theroux is available to link to or download here. For Print: PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here. For Radio: PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 9, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Elko, Nev. -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leavedogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With snow and low temperatures predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Wipe off your dogs' or cats' legs, feet, and stomachs after they come in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make your animals sick if they ingest them. You should also increase animals' food rations during the winter because they burn more calories in an effort to stay warm.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Protesters Will Draw Attention to Ringling's Violent Treatment of Baby Elephants 

For Immediate Release:
January 9, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Pensacola, Fla. -- An "injured elephant" will lead PETAprotesters on Thursday as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus prepares for its opening show in Pensacola. The protesters will display signs that read, "This Is Ringling Baby-Elephant Training," alongside banners emblazoned with compelling photos taken inside Ringling's training center. The photos expose how baby elephants used by Ringling are stretched out, slammed to the ground, gouged with steel-tipped bullhooks, and shocked with electric prods. These abusive sessions go on for several hours a day in order to force the baby elephants to learn to perform circus tricks out of fear of punishment. Actor Alec Baldwin recently narrated a video exposé that focuses on how circuses abuse elephants.

When:   Thursday, January 10, 12 noon

Where:  At the intersection of Palafox and Garden streets, Pensacola

"Pensacola residents would run screaming from the big top if they knew how baby elephants are violently forced to perform difficult, confusing, and sometimes painful tricks," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "Since children love animals, the last place that parents and grandparents should take them to is the circus."

In late 2011, Ringling Bros. paid the largest fine in circus history—$270,000—for violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently opened a formal investigation into Ringling for further violations of the AWA.

For more information, please visit PETA's website RinglingBeatsAnimals.com. 

PETA Beauty Will Ask New Orleans Residents and Tourists to Leave 'the Other Meat'—Fish—off Their Plates and Go Vegan

For Immediate Release:
January 10, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

New Orleans -- Wearing little more than "fins," a sexy PETA member will dress as a topless mermaid on Friday to encourage New Orleans residents and tourists to make one more type of flesh off limits: fish. PETA's mermaid will appear in the French Quarter holding a sign that reads, "Sea Life, Not Seafood."

When:   Friday, January 11, 12 noon

Where:  Muriel's Jackson Square, 801 Chartres St., New Orleans

"Fish might not be cute and cuddly, but when it comes to feeling pain and having a will to live, they're just like all other animals," says PETA campaigner Matt Bruce.

Scientific studies show that fish are intelligent, sensitive animals who experience pain and fear when they are hooked or netted and pulled from the water. A recent issue of the journal Fish and Fisheries cited more than 500 research papers on fish intelligence that prove that fish are smart, can use tools, and have impressive long-term memories and sophisticated social structures.

For more information, please visit PETA.org orFishingHurts.com.

Group Offers to Hold Presentation on Eggs' Cholesterol and Cruelty for Winners of 'Be a Good Egg' Contest

For Immediate Release:
January 10, 2013

Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382

Doyleston, Ohio -- Ss. Peter & Paul School has just been named a winner of Discovery Education's "Be a Good Egg" Contest, a program offered in partnership with the American Egg Board. And to counter the one-sided promotion from the egg industry, PETA has written to administrators at the school with a request to supply students with further information about egg production, including its cruelty to the hens who spend their lives confined to tiny cages and the health risk inherent in the high cholesterol levels of eggs.

"If kids knew how chickens on egg farms suffer their whole lives in cramped battery cages, they'd realize that no egg is a 'good egg,'" says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "PETA is eager to help Ss. Peter & Paul School ensure that its students get all the facts about food production—and not just what the egg industry wants them to hear."

In addition to being loaded with artery-clogging cholesterol, some eggs are tainted with salmonella. What's more, chickens on factory farms spend their entire lives crammed into cages, stacked one on top of the other—and because male chicks don't produce eggs, they are discarded at birth, sometimes thrown into garbage cans or grinders while they are still alive.

For more information, please visit PETA.org. 

PETA's letter to Principal Susan Demeter follows.

January 8, 2013

Susan Demeter
Principal
Ss. Peter & Paul School

Via e-mail

Dear Principal Demeter,

Because your students are participating in Discovery Education's "Be a Good Egg" contest, we'd like to suggest that they receive a balanced perspective, with information from PETA as well as the egg trade. I'm sure you will agree that young people should be aware of all aspects of food production, including the truth about the welfare of chickens used for their eggs, which Discovery Education has neglected to present. Please consider a few of the reasons why cultural icons ranging from Carrie Underwood to Bill Clinton to Russell Simmons are urging young people to consider the benefits of an egg-free vegan diet.

Virtually all hens used by the egg industry are confined to filthy sheds containing row upon row of tiny, multitiered wire cages. Between five and 11 birds are crammed into a single cage—each bird lives in a space that is smaller than a letter-sized sheet of paper. They never get to breathe fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun on their backs, or engage in any natural behavior.

Under the cages, pits full of urine and feces saturate the air with the stench of ammonia and burn the birds' skin. To prevent the birds from pecking at one another out of stress and boredom, farmers cut a portion of each hen's sensitive beak off with a hot blade—without using any painkillers. Male birds—who are useless to hatcheries because they don't produce eggs and are too small to be profitably used for their flesh—are ground up alive or tossed into trash bags to slowly suffocate to death. When hens are "spent," at about 2 years of age, they're shipped to the slaughterhouse, where they have their throats cut while they're still conscious.

More and more people, especially young people, are rejecting such cruelty and adopting a vegan diet (one that's free of eggs, meat, and dairy products). This is not only a humane choice but also a healthy one.

Just one average-size egg contains about 213 milligrams of cholesterol—more than the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's recommended limit for an entire day. The human body manufactures all the cholesterol it needs, and each additional 100 milligrams of cholesterol that you consume by eating meat, eggs, or dairy products—the only dietary sources of cholesterol—adds roughly five points to your cholesterol level, which increases your risk for a heart attack.

About 70 percent of the calories in eggs are from fat, and most of that fat is saturated fat, which raises your risk for heart disease, strokes, and other diseases. Tofu, soy milk, beans, nuts, whole grains, broccoli, and other vegan foods have plenty of protein without the health risks of eggs. I would like to remind your students why eating wholesome plant-based foods instead of eggs and other animal-derived foods is a healthy, humane, and environmentally friendly option.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Nina Kahn
TeachKind
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Meat-Free Meals Can Help Concerned Canadians Reduce Their Carbon Footprints, Says PETA

For Immediate Release:
January 10, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk  202-483-7382

Regina, SK -- Wearing green bikinis and bodypaint, sporting green hair, and holding signs that read, "Go Green, Go Vegan," two PETA members will distribute PETA's "Meat's Not Green" leaflets and "Glass Walls" DVDs to lunchtime shoppers in downtown Regina on Friday. The bodypainted beauties' point? Canadians can help the environment by chucking meat, eggs, and dairy products and going vegan.

When:   Friday, January 11, 12 noon sharp

Where:  Cornwall Centre, on the southeast corner of Scarth Street and 11^th Avenue, Regina

"Between polluting the soil, water, and air and gobbling up our natural resources, the meat industry is as toxic to the Earth as it is to human health," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "PETA wants Canadians to know that each of us can personally fight climate change—and save animals—simply by going vegan."

According to the United Nations, raising animals for food is "a top contributor to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global." In its report, the U.N. found that the meat industry causes local and global environmental problems even beyond climate change. It said that the meat industry should be a main focus in every discussion of land degradation, air pollution, water shortages and pollution, and loss of biodiversity. In addition, vegans are, on average, trimmer than meat-eaters, and they're less prone to suffering from heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and cancer. And, of course, every vegan saves more than 100 animals every year from daily suffering and a terrifying death.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Cows Reportedly Forced to Dig Through Feet of Snow for Food, Lick Snow for "Water"

For Immediate Release:
January 10, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

In response to reports that authorities are considering bringing charges against two Bakersfield men for denying food, water, and shelter to approximately 30 cows in a cruel attempt at what the men call "winter grazing"—a controversial practice in which the cows remain outdoors in the cold and snow with none of their necessities—PETA has sent an urgent appeal for intervention to Vermont authorities, including the state police and the Franklin County state's attorney. In the letter, the group asks the authorities to require the cattle owners to provide the animals with adequate food, water, and shelter immediately and, if the men fail to comply, to confiscate the animals.

"We understand that these cows are suffering—and one has already had to be euthanized because of hypothermia—since these men are too cheap to feed, water, and house them properly," says PETA Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch. "PETA is calling on Bakersfield authorities to take immediate action to protect these animals before more freeze to death or succumb to starvation or dehydration."

For more information, please visit PETA.org. 

PETA's letter to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office follows.

January 10, 2013

To:      Captain Glenn Hall, A-Troop Commander, Vermont State Police
  The Honorable James Hughes, Franklin County State's Attorney

cc:       Dr. Kristin Haas, State Veterinarian, Vermont Agency of Agriculture

From:   Kristin Simon, Senior Cruelty Caseworker, PETA

Re:      Bakersfield Farm Neglect Case

Your urgent attention is requested.

PETA is an international animal protection organization with more than 3 million members and supporters globally, including thousands who proudly reside in Vermont. Our headquarters has received numerous calls of concern regarding the plight of approximately 30 cows located on Joyal Road in Bakersfield. Reportedly, authorities responded to the cows' location in December and discovered that the animals were being denied food, water, and shelter and that one animal had to be euthanized on the spot because of he or she was in an extreme hypothermic state (see http://www.wcax.com/story/20446161/allegations-of-animal-abuse-in-bakersfield). We understand that the reported owners, Gary Barnes and Todd Brown, allegedly contend that the cows should sustain themselves by licking snow for hydration and digging through feet of snow in order to access what grass exists beneath it (Barnes and Brown reportedly call this practice "winter grazing").

Vermont § 352 states, "A person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if the person … deprives an animal which a person owns, possesses or acts as an agent for, of adequate food, water, shelter, rest, sanitation, or necessary medical attention." While the law provides exceptions for accepted animal husbandry practices, even Barnes admitted to news sources that the practice of "winter grazing" is controversial among farmers. While charges of cruelty to animals are apparently under consideration, official sources and local residents inform PETA that the situation remains unchanged, as the animals still lack essential provisions as required by law and to maintain them in sufficient state of comfort, safety, and health. Given the extreme weather experienced by the region during the winter months in particular, we join our callers in their concern for these animals' well-being.

PETA respectfully urges your offices to require Barnes and Brown to immediately provide their cattle with adequate food, water, and shelter as required by Vermont law and to confiscate the animals if Barnes and Brown fail to comply. May we hear from your offices right away regarding this urgent matter?

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Kristin Simon
Senior Cruelty Caseworker
Cruelty Investigations Department

Cows Reportedly Forced to Dig Through Feet of Snow for Food, Lick Snow for "Water"

For Immediate Release:
January 10, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

In response to reports that authorities are considering bringing charges against two Bakersfield men for denying food, water, and shelter to approximately 30 cows in a cruel attempt at what the men call "winter grazing"—a controversial practice in which the cows remain outdoors in the cold and snow with none of their necessities—PETA has sent an urgent appeal for intervention to Vermont authorities, including the state police and the Franklin County state's attorney. In the letter, the group asks the authorities to require the cattle owners to provide the animals with adequate food, water, and shelter immediately and, if the men fail to comply, to confiscate the animals.

"We understand that these cows are suffering—and one has already had to be euthanized because of hypothermia—since these men are too cheap to feed, water, and house them properly," says PETA Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch. "PETA is calling on Bakersfield authorities to take immediate action to protect these animals before more freeze to death or succumb to starvation or dehydration."

For more information, please visit PETA.org. 

PETA's letter to the Vermont authorities follows.

January 10, 2013

To:      Captain Glenn Hall, A-Troop Commander, Vermont State Police
  The Honorable James Hughes, Franklin County State's Attorney

cc:       Dr. Kristin Haas, State Veterinarian, Vermont Agency of Agriculture

From:   Kristin Simon, Senior Cruelty Caseworker, PETA

Re:      Bakersfield Farm Neglect Case

Your urgent attention is requested.

PETA is an international animal protection organization with more than 3 million members and supporters globally, including thousands who proudly reside in Vermont. Our headquarters has received numerous calls of concern regarding the plight of approximately 30 cows located on Joyal Road in Bakersfield. Reportedly, authorities responded to the cows' location in December and discovered that the animals were being denied food, water, and shelter and that one animal had to be euthanized on the spot because of he or she was in an extreme hypothermic state (see http://www.wcax.com/story/20446161/allegations-of-animal-abuse-in-bakersfield). We understand that the reported owners, Gary Barnes and Todd Brown, allegedly contend that the cows should sustain themselves by licking snow for hydration and digging through feet of snow in order to access what grass exists beneath it (Barnes and Brown reportedly call this practice "winter grazing").

Vermont § 352 states, "A person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if the person … deprives an animal which a person owns, possesses or acts as an agent for, of adequate food, water, shelter, rest, sanitation, or necessary medical attention." While the law provides exceptions for accepted animal husbandry practices, even Barnes admitted to news sources that the practice of "winter grazing" is controversial among farmers. While charges of cruelty to animals are apparently under consideration, official sources and local residents inform PETA that the situation remains unchanged, as the animals still lack essential provisions as required by law and to maintain them in sufficient state of comfort, safety, and health. Given the extreme weather experienced by the region during the winter months in particular, we join our callers in their concern for these animals' well-being.

PETA respectfully urges your offices to require Barnes and Brown to immediately provide their cattle with adequate food, water, and shelter as required by Vermont law and to confiscate the animals if Barnes and Brown fail to comply. May we hear from your offices right away regarding this urgent matter?

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Kristin Simon
Senior Cruelty Caseworker
Cruelty Investigations Department

Video Exposé Narrated by Bob Barker Reveals Chief Saunooke Bear Park's Anti–Native American Racism, Drug Use, Cruelty to Animals

For Immediate Release:
January 11, 2013

Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382

Cherokee, N.C. -- Led by a costumed "bear" and holding signs that read, "Bear Pits: Cruelty, Racism" and "Close the Bear Pits Now," a group of PETA supporters will screen video footage (available here) from its new undercover investigation of Chief Saunooke Bear Park (CSBP) outside the main park entrance on Saturday. The action comes less than a week after PETA released the investigation (available here), which documented systemic neglect, deprivation of food and veterinary care, and abuse of bears as well as sexual harassment by one employee and illegal drug use by another. In addition, an employee called Native Americans "long-distance corn n*****s," and the facility's manager admitted to a secret policy against hiring Native Americans.

When:   Saturday, January 12, 12 noon

Where:  Outside Chief Saunooke Bear Park, near the corner of Tsali Boulevard and Acquoni Road and in front of the sign for the reservation, Cherokee

TV icon and animal activist Bob Barker, who narrates PETA's footage of CSBP, has joined PETA in calling for CSBP's bears to be confiscated and relocated to an accredited sanctuary without delay. PETA has also filed formal complaints with federal agencies and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation regarding CSBP's discriminatory hiring practices, failure to pay workers the minimum wage, and more.

"CSBP is a miserable place on every level, from the neglect and deprivation of the bears to the racism and sexual harassment of employees," says PETA Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch. "PETA's exposé shows the need to shut down these miserable pits."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 11, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Grand Forks County, N.D. -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With blizzard conditions and low temperatures predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Wipe off your dogs' or cats' legs, feet, and stomachs after they come in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make your animals sick if they ingest them. You should also increase animals' food rations during the winter because they burn more calories in an effort to stay warm.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

For TV:PETA's cold-weather public service announcement featuring Justin Theroux is available to link to or download here. For Print: PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here. For Radio: PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 11, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Fargo, N.D. -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leavedogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With snow and low temperatures predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Wipe off your dogs' or cats' legs, feet, and stomachs after they come in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make your animals sick if they ingest them. You should also increase animals' food rations during the winter because they burn more calories in an effort to stay warm.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

For TV:PETA's cold-weather public service announcement featuring Justin Theroux is available to link to or download here. For Print: PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here. For Radio: PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382

Yalobusha County, Miss. -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With low temperatures predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Lee County, Miss. -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With low temperatures and freezing rain predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

PETA's cold-weather public service announcement featuring Justin Theroux is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Gregg County, Texas -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With low temperatures and freezing rain predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

PETA's cold-weather public service announcement featuring Justin Theroux is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Smith County, Texas -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With low temperatures and freezing rain predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

Contact:
Wendy Wegner 202-483-7382

Florence, Ala. -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With low temperatures and freezing rain predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

Contact:
Wendy Wegner 202-483-7382

Moulton, Ala. -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With low temperatures, freezing rain, and flood warnings predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

Contact:
Wendy Wegner 202-483-7382

Decatur, Ala. -- Every year, PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for "backyard dogs," who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and it can also pose challenges for wildlife.

With low temperatures and freezing rain predicted for your area, will you please consider sharing the following information with your audience now and throughout the winter in order to help protect animals?

• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or a coat on walks.
• Don't allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Take unidentified animals indoors until you can find their guardians or take them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, please notify authorities. For information on what constitutes adequate shelter, click here.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife who are caught in storms or white-outs by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.

PETA's cold-weather public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Searches for Two Young People Eager to Star in Their Very Own Ad

For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382

Los Angeles -- Young people are leading the animal rights charge, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the burgeoning number of young kids who are going vegan. That's why PETA Kids, PETA's division dedicated to children, is announcing its 2013 Cutest Vegan Kid contest. As recently as last year, the contest was named Cutest Vegetarian Kid, but as more and more kids learn about the animal suffering and the profoundly detrimental effects that eating eggs and dairy products can have on our health, a growing number of them are going vegan. The first round, which begins on Monday, January 14, is open to anyone and everyone who'd like to nominate their favorite vegan kid. The two winners—one male and one female—will have the opportunity to appear in their very own PETA Kids ad and will also receive a special prize pack filled with goodies. In addition, announcements will be sent to their hometown media.

"All the kids who enter the contest are already winners because they've made the switch to a healthier diet that's animal- and Earth-friendly," says PETA Youth Marketing Manager Emily Rodriguez. "And because healthier kids are generally happier kids, that makes them cuter, too."

More and more people go vegetarian and vegan every year. Besides the indisputable health benefits of ditching meat and other unhealthy animal products, vegans, on average, have a smaller carbon footprint than their meat-eating counterparts, and each vegan saves the lives of more than 100 animals every year.

The nominations round runs from January 14 to 28 and is followed by the voting round from January 30 to February 13. Voting on the finalists will take place from February 15 to 22, and the two winners will be announced on February 27. PETA Kids will select winners based on several factors, including vote count. See full contest details here.

For more information, please visit PETAKids.com.