Animals Should Never Be Stripped of Their Skins for Fur or Leather, Says Group

For Immediate Release:
January 30, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

San Francisco -- As nudists in San Francisco take advantage of the final day to bare their skin legally in public before a newly enacted ban on public nudity takes effect, PETA is jumping into the fray to expose a travesty that has no deadline in sight: stealing the skins of animals in the name of fashion. Wearing nothing but the smiles on their faces and holding signs that read, "Bare Skin, Don't Wear Skin," a group of sexy PETA members will display their vegan bodies in the hope of persuading San Francisco residents—both clothed and unclothed—to leave fur, leather, and wool on store shelves and allow animals to keep their skins.

When:   Thursday, January 31, 12 noon

Where:  Outside City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., San Francisco

"No matter where you stand on nudism, both sides can agree that no animal would ever give up his or her skin willingly," says PETA nudist-with-a-cause Meggan Anderson. "By showing some of our own skin, we hope that people will consider letting animals keep theirs."

Fashion guru Tim Gunn narrates a PETA video short, which shows how animals who are killed for their fur are electrocuted, poisoned, or gassed or have their necks broken. Cows who are slated to be killed for their skins endure painful mutilations and physical abuse on factory farms and cruel treatment during transport and slaughter. Snakes have hoses rammed into their mouths and are pumped full of water so that workers can more easily cut off their tightened skin while they're still alive. Merino lambs, who are bred for wool in Australia, are mutilated by having large chunks of skin and flesh cut from their backsides and are given no pain relief.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Unwanted Offspring Die by the Millions in Animal Shelters and on the Streets, Says Group 

For Immediate Release:
January 30, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Trenton, N.J. -- Holding signs that read, "Condoms Won't Work: Fix Your Dog/Cat!" two PETA members dressed as giant condoms—one pink and one blue—will hand out leaflets on animal birth control at a busy intersection in Trenton on Thursday. Their point? That the only way to get a handle on the cat and dog overpopulation crisis is always to have your animals spayed or neutered.

When:   Thursday, January 31, 12 noon

Where:  Northeast corner of W. State and Willow streets, Trenton

"If cats and dogs could wear condoms, millions of animals would be spared suffering and death," says PETA Associate Director of Campaigns Lindsay Rajt. "But they can't—so it's up to their guardians to take responsibility for spaying and neutering."

Between 6 and 8 million unwanted cats and dogs enter animal shelters every year in the U.S., and roughly half of them are euthanized because there simply aren't enough good homes for them. Millions more never make it to an animal shelter and are left to fend for themselves on the streets, where they often are subjected to cruelty, are struck by cars, or suffer from starvation, disease, or injuries. The solution is simple: Always spay or neuter your animal companions. Spaying one female dog can prevent 67,000 births in six years, and spaying one female cat can prevent 370,000 births in seven years.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
January 30, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Marquette County, Mich. -- 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.

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 30, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Idaho County, Idaho -- 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.

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 31, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Allegany County, Md. -- 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.

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 31, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Garrett County, Md. -- 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.

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 31, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Moline, Ill. -- 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 high winds 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 31, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Rock Island, Ill. -- 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 high winds 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.

Sexy Activists Will Hit City Urging 'Bare Skin—Don't Wear Skin!'

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Scottsdale, Az. -- Wearing nothing but little panties, two PETA beauties will stand behind a banner that reads, "Bare Skin—Don't Wear Skin," in Scottsdale on Friday.

When:   Friday, February 1, 12 noon 

Where:  Evans Furs & Leathers, 15435 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale

"By showing some of our own skin, we hope that people will consider letting animals keep theirs," says PETA beauty Lisa Karczewski, who will lead the traffic-stopping demonstration.

Why all the fuss over what to wear? Fashion guru Tim Gunn lays it on the line in PETA's video short, which shows how animals who are killed for their fur are electrocuted, poisoned, or gassed or have their necks broken. Cows who are slated to be killed for their skins endure painful mutilations and physical abuse on factory farms and cruel treatment during transport and slaughter. Snakes have hoses rammed into their mouths and are pumped full of water so that workers can more easily cut off their tightened skin while they're still alive.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Using Chimpanzees in Ads Is Uncreative and Unkind, Says Actor

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2013

Contact:
Wendy Wegner 202-483-7382

Indianapolis -- Actor Anjelica Huston has joined the thousands of PETA supporters who have written to Steak 'n Shake to urge the restaurant to pull an ad that uses a chimpanzee. The screen legend sent a letter today to the company, along with a copy of her video exposé, explaining how great-ape "actors" are torn from their mothers as babies, violently trained, and then left to languish in cramped cages after they grow too large to control. The top 10 U.S. advertising agencies have implemented policies against using great apes in their ads, and just this month, Great Clips and Pizza Factory joined the many companies that have pulled ads featuring great apes after hearing from PETA.

"These chimpanzees are destined to endure a lifetime of abuse for your 30-second spot—a point that no compassionate person would find funny in the least," writes Huston. "Innovative companies use animatronics or computer-generated imagery. You could easily adopt one of these methods or find another way to advertise your restaurants."

Anjelica Huston's letter to Steak 'n Shake is available here.For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Unwanted Offspring Die by the Millions in Animal Shelters and on the Streets, Says Group 

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Columbia, S.C. -- Holding signs that read, "Condoms Won't Work: Fix Your Dog/Cat!" two PETA members dressed as giant condoms—one pink and one blue—will hand out leaflets on animal birth control at a busy intersection in Columbia on Friday. Their point? That the only way to get a handle on the cat and dog overpopulation crisis is always to have your animals spayed or neutered.

When:   Friday, February 1, 12 noon

Where:  Southwest corner of Greene and Harden streets, Columbia

"If cats and dogs could wear condoms, millions of animals would be spared suffering and death," says PETA Associate Director of Campaigns Lindsay Rajt. "But they can't—so it's up to their guardians to take responsibility for spaying and neutering."

Between 6 and 8 million unwanted cats and dogs enter animal shelters every year in the U.S., and roughly half of them are euthanized because there simply aren't enough good homes for them. Millions more never make it to an animal shelter and are left to fend for themselves on the streets, where they often are subjected to cruelty, are struck by cars, or suffer from starvation, disease, or injuries. The solution is simple: Always spay or neuter your animal companions. Spaying one female dog can prevent 67,000 births in six years, and spaying one female cat can prevent 370,000 births in seven years.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Eating Flesh Is a Losing Proposition—for Animals and Humans, Says PETA 

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Washington -- Two PETA members—one dressed like a pig and the other like a cow—will dish out free vegan meatballs smack in the middle of Meat Week's barbecue food truck competition. PETA's point? That underneath all the smoke is the flesh of an abused animal who wanted nothing more than to live and that eating animal flesh makes humans sick and fat.

When:   Friday, February 1, 5:30 p.m.

Where:  Outside the LivingSocial offices, at the intersection of D and Eighth streets N.W., Washington

"Vegan meatballs and chicken wings and other faux meats have all the flavor but none of the cholesterol and animal suffering found in every speck of pork, chicken, and beef," says PETA Associate Director of Campaigns Lindsay Rajt. "The last thing that unhealthy and overweight Americans need on their plates is more meat."

On today's factory farms, chickens and turkeys have their throats cut while they're still conscious, piglets are castrated and have their tails cut off without being given any painkillers, and cows are hung upside down and are often skinned while they're still able to feel pain. On the decks of fishing boats, fish suffocate or are cut open while they're still alive. Also, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, strokes, and cancer have been conclusively linked to the consumption of meat and other animal-derived products.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Knockouts in Stripes Will Throw a Flag on Meat-Eaters for Unsportsmanlike Conduct Against Chickens on Super Bowl Sunday

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2013

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Philadelphia -- Wearing sexy referee outfits and holding football-shaped signs that read, "Bench Cruelty: Go Vegan!" two PETA beauties will hand out vegan hot wings on Friday in Philadelphia. Their goal? To persuade Super Bowl viewers to give healthy and delicious vegan food a try during the big game this year—it might just help them to be around for many more Super Bowls to come. The only things missing are the cruelty and cholesterol.

When:   Friday, February 1, 12 noon

Where:  Intersection of 10^th and Market streets, Philadelphia

"With all the delicious vegan options available, everyone should throw a flag on meat—and that includes football fans," says sexy referee Leila Sleiman. "No matter which team you place your money on to win the Super Bowl, going vegan is always a safe bet."

In addition to avoiding animal suffering, vegans are less prone to heart disease, strokes, and cancer than meat-eaters are, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. And researchers at the University of Chicago have determined that switching to a vegan diet is more effective in countering climate change than switching from a standard car to a hybrid vehicle.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

State Wildlife Resources Commission Drops Appeal

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Brasstown, N.C. -- The formerly annual "Opossum Drop" at Brasstown's Clay's Corner—in which a live opossum was suspended above a rowdy crowd in a Plexiglas box for hours before being "dropped" about 40 feet in imitation of the Times Square ball drop—will remain illegal. Just two days after PETA filed a motion for sanctions against the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) for pursuing its appeal of Judge Fred Morrison's decision in Wake County Superior Court confirming that it is unlawful to use a live native wild animal in events such as the Opossum Drop, the WRC today filed papers in Wake County Superior Court to dismiss its appeal.

"In recognizing that captive wildlife species shouldn't be needlessly harassed, North Carolina has taken a welcome step forward," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders.

North Carolina law prohibits possession of live wildlife without a permit. These permits require "humane treatment" of wild animals. On November 13, the Office of Administrative Hearings in Wake County ruled that "WRC has no authority to issue any permit to [Clay's Corner owner Clay] Logan for the unlawful public display of a native wild animal at the Opossum Drop Event."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Circus Holding Event Has Abysmal History of Animal Welfare Violations

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2013

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Oxford, Miss. -- PETA has lodged urgent complaints with Oxford Police Chief Joey East, officials of the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society, and the Mississippi National Guard urging them to forbid any boxing matches between a human and a kangaroo put on by the Star Family Circus, which is scheduled to perform at the National Guard Armory in Oxford on February 13. In the complaints, PETA points out that forcing kangaroos to box with humans violates the city's statutes prohibiting cruelty to animals because it is known to be traumatic to these naturally gentle animals. In addition, kangaroos kept for such events have developed stress-related illnesses and physical conditions and have even died. The Oxford City Code clearly states that "[i]t shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor any wild animal within the city limits." The code also prohibits inflicting unjustifiable suffering upon animals. The Star Family Circus has a long history of animal welfare violations, including denying kangaroos adequate veterinary care.

"Physical fights between humans and kangaroos—or any other animals—have no place in modern society and certainly not in Oxford, where they're clearly illegal," says PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Delcianna Winders. "We are asking Oxford to take immediate action to stop this archaic and illegal spectacle."

In kangaroo boxing, the skittish animals are taunted into defending themselves under conditions that are unnatural, unfamiliar, and detrimental to their health. At least two kangaroos used for boxing matches in circus performances have died while touring, one from complications of "lumpy jaw," a disease that can result from extreme crowding, poor hygiene and diet, and stressful conditions.

Columbus, Ind., and Oakland, Calif., have shut down kangaroo boxing matches because they violated their respective laws.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

No. 88 Could Help the Millions of Dogs and Cats Across the U.S. Who End Up in Animal Shelters Every Year, Says Group

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2013

Contact:
Wendy Wegner 202-483-7382

Charlotte, N.C. -- As Dale Earnhardt Jr. enters the 2013 season with a surprising shortage of sponsors, PETA hopes NASCAR's most popular driver will use some of the empty ad space on No. 88 to help PETA spread a lifesaving message: "Always Spay and Neuter." As the group explains in its letter to Earnhardt, 6 to 8 million animals enter animal shelters in the U.S. every year—including thousands in Earnhardt's home state of North Carolina, where PETA works to counter this flood of homeless animals by offering thousands of low- to no-cost sterilization surgeries every year—and half of them must be euthanized for lack of good homes. The solution is simple: Get your dogs and cats "fixed."

"PETA knows that Dale cares about animals, and we'd love to have his help in fighting the animal-overpopulation crisis in North Carolina and across the U.S.," says PETA President (and longtime racing fan) Ingrid E. Newkirk. "A spay-and-neuter message on No. 88 could inspire millions of NASCAR fans to take the simple but lifesaving step of 'fixing' their dogs and cats."

In North Carolina, PETA's Community Animal Project rescues animals directly; supplies food, doghouses, and straw bedding to neglected animals; and offers low- to no-cost veterinary services for families who cannot afford to have their animals spayed or neutered. In the last 10 years, PETA's mobile veterinary clinics have performed—speaking of No. 88—nearly 88,000 sterilization surgeries.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside in Freezing Temperatures

For Immediate Release:
February 1, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Peoria, Ill. -- 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, high winds, 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:
February 1, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Bloomington, Ill. -- 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, high winds, 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:
February 4, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Greenbrier County, W.Va. -- 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.
• 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:
February 4, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Clay, W.Va. -- 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.
• 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.