peta's mission statement

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), with more than 1.8 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world.

PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry. We also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds and other "pests," and the abuse of backyard dogs.

PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns. ... as provided by PETA.org

my views

This group has changed my life. In my freshman year of high school I was assigned to do an essay about animal testing. When I was doing my research, one website lead to another and eventually I found my way to PETA.org. My eyes were literally opened for the first time in my life. I read the horrors of what happened to animals who were tested for the mere sake of makeup. Or the pure hell a cow had to go through for the purpose of being placed between two buns on a dinner plate. I learned what really went on behind circuses and what it took to create a fur coat made out of fox.

From then on I decided I was going to be a vegetarian. It was as simple as looking at pictures of animals in slaughterhouses. It was an absolute outrage to fathom that fellow human beings could induce such unspeakable abuse and evil. I had to put an end to supporting the murder and suffering of thousands of life's a day. This also meant not using products tested on animals and never wearing anything made of animal materials.

I became a PETA member in 2001 and it has given me such a peace of mind. To know my actions can help end the suffering of countless amounts of animals is something that gives me pride when I utter the words "I am a member of PETA." It has made me a better person and I can't be thankful enough to know that there is a group out there leading the fight for such beautiful goals.

"Every day ... PETA is creating change for the better." Ingrid E. Newkirk