Doctors’ Orders: 500 Physicians Call On TAMU to End Its Cruel Dog Lab

Five hundred physicians—including 100 who have treated human patients with muscular dystrophy (MD)—have asked Texas A&M University (TAMU) to end its cruel MD experiments on dogs and instead conduct research that will help humans suffering from the disease.

PETA took their message to the university’s recent Board of Regents meetings and a full-page ad was placed in the November 14 issue of TAMU’s student paper, The Battalion.

Doctors condemn TAMU dog labs

Hundreds of physicians have a message for TAMU: These cruel and wasteful tests hurt dogs and do nothing to help humans living with MD.

A letter to TAMU Chancellor John Sharp that was signed by all the doctors states, in part, the following:

As a physician, I am writing to ask that Texas A&M University halt the breeding and use of dogs in muscular dystrophy experiments. As canine research has failed for decades to produce an effective treatment for patients suffering from this fatal disease, now is an opportune time for the board to insist that the university focus its resources on human-relevant research.

Sensitive dogs are bred and tormented for useless experiments.

Video footage obtained by PETA shows dogs suffering from MD who were caged, sometimes alone, inside barren metal cells in TAMU’s labs. Their swollen tongues and weakened jaw muscles made it difficult for them to swallow even thin gruel, and strings of drool hung from their mouths.

Dogs who didn’t exhibit symptoms of the disease but who carried the gene for it were used to breed more animals who would suffer at the hands of experimenters. The video shows the dogs frantically pacing and gnawing in frustration on the cage bars.

Urge Texas A&M to Close Its Dog Laboratory

Numerous people—including patients with muscular dystrophy, scientists, and celebrities like Lily Tomlin, Richard Linklater, Ryan Tannehill, and Bill Maher—have teamed up with PETA to speak out against the experiments, and you can, too. Click the button below to urge Texas A&M to stop funding cruel, wasteful experiments on dogs:

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Jack Harries teamed up with PETA to expose the cruelty behind Canada Goose jackets.

In the video, Jack explains why he’s taking a stand:

“When the weather drops, we all want to stay cosy and warm. However, there’s nothing colder than wearing fur from animals that have been violently trapped, killed, and skinned.”

©iStock.com/rpbirdman

He goes on to explain that coyotes – whose fur is used to trim the brand’s coats and jackets – are caught in steel traps and may suffer for days from blood loss, shock, and dehydration before trappers arrive to strangle, stamp, or bludgeon them to death. Mother coyotes have been known to chew through their own limbs in their desperation to return to their starving pups.

Jack also points out that birds are hurt for Canada Goose’s outerwear, too: the company uses down feathers from ducks and geese whose throats are slit before they’re plunged into scalding-hot water, sometimes while still conscious.

Jack is part of a growing celebrities – including Justin Long, Maggie Q, Pamela Anderson, and Sarah Jeffery – who have teamed up with PETA or its affiliates to speak out against Canada Goose.

What You Can Do

You may have seen someone wearing a Canada Goose jacket already this autumn. Many people don’t realise that animals endure a terrifying and agonising death for the brand’s fur trims and down-feather fillers, so please speak up by sharing Jack’s video with your friends and family – and together, we’ll make sure everyone learns what’s done to animals for the company’s garments.

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PETA Rescues Turkeys From Slaughterhouse Days Before Thanksgiving

Days before the worst time in America for turkeys, PETA helped rescue 16 gentle turkeys who’d been imprisoned on a farm in Utah, saving them from being sent to a slaughterhouse where their throats would be slit.

PETA’s rescue efforts are a part of a larger liberation project negotiated by PETA friend, Oscar-nominated actor, and animal rights activist James Cromwell and the group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE). Cromwell and DxE arranged for the rescue of 100 turkeys who were facing impending death at Norbest turkey farms outside Salt Lake City just days before Thanksgiving.

PETA transported six turkeys to Wildwood Farm Sanctuary in Newberg, Oregon, while the other 10 went to The Humane Farming Association’s Suwanna Ranch in Elk Creek, California. Check out how these lovely ladies are settling into their new homes!

PETA Turkey rescue Thanksgiving

When we see turkeys as individuals—who, like humans and other animals, value their own lives and don’t want to die—we see that eating their flesh is indefensible.

Sure, humans may look different from turkeys, but when it comes to important qualities such as the ability to feel excitement, create family bonds, cherish life, and experience pain, fear, and love, we’re all the same.

Here’s something that the meat industry would hate for you to know: If you’re lucky enough to have one of these gentle birds as a friend, you’d know that they have diverse personalities and cherish taking care of their babies. These intelligent, naturally curious birds enjoy greeting new visitors and choose which humans they want to spend time with. Turkeys love to have their feathers stroked, and they’ll even listen to music and sing along.

But on farms, turkeys—who are naturally clean animals—are forced to live in their own filth in cramped, dank sheds. To keep the crowded birds from scratching and pecking one another, famers cut off parts of their beaks and toes without painkillers. Most turkeys are babies—only 3 to 5 months old—when they’re slaughtered. But during their short, miserable lives, they’re denied even the simplest pleasures, such as running, building nests, and raising their young.

Save turkeys year-round by sharing vegan meals with your friends and family.

Share this heartwarming story with your friends and family, too, and let them know that the best way to save any conscious, feeling animals raised for their flesh is to go vegan. Spread the compassion by sending someone you love a free vegan starter kit.

Not vegan yourself? No worries! Order a free vegan starter kit for yourself today. By simply leaving living, feeling beings off your plate, you’ll save nearly 200 animals a year from a senseless and terrifying death.

Order Your Free Vegan Starter Kit

Send a Vegan Starter Kit to a Friend

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Caged and Hauled Off to Slaughter Just Like Turkeys Killed for Butterball

Turkeys cried out, struggled, and tried to escape as workers carried them upside down by only the legs, without supporting their weight. Some workers held one bird in each hand as the turkeys frantically flapped their wings.

 

They were crammed into cages on a truck, where they’d have to stay for at least 12 hours—without food or water—en route to a slaughterhouse in Ohio. One of Reese’s contract farmers noted that the turkeys “can’t move their wings [or] legs. … The big turkeys are pretty crammed in.”

 

a trailer full of turkeys headed for slaughter

 

She acknowledged that the birds die in transport because “they just get scared.” A worker added that they “trample … each other.”

 

turkeys stuffed into coops on a truck

 

At the slaughterhouse, they’d be shackled upside down and their throats would be slit—just like turkeys killed for Butterball.

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Why Newt Scamander of ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Is a Magical Animal Ally

As Newt Scamander is told in the second installment of the Fantastic Beasts film series, he’s never met an animal he didn’t love.

We feel you, Newt.

We haven’t found a wizard in the Harry Potter universe who cares more about animals than Newt. His version of romance is comparing his love interest’s eyes to those of a salamander. He carries his adorable nifflers with him everywhere he goes, despite the mischief they cause. And his very name is Newt.

Here are five of our favorite quotes from the popular Fantastic Beasts films that are pure animal rights magic:

“There are no strange creatures, only blinkered* people.”

(*“Blinkered” means “limited in scope or understanding: narrow-minded.” Don’t worry—we didn’t know what it meant, either.)

People often fear or distrust things they don’t understand. We applaud Newt for combatting prejudices against animals, as only prejudice allows us to deny others the rights that we expect to have for ourselves.

After all, as PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk has said, “When it comes to pain, love, joy, loneliness, and fear, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. Each one values his or her life and fights the knife.”

“She was born to run.”

Newt knows that animals are meant to live in their natural habitats—not to be abused in captivity.

In Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, we first meet the magical zouwu while she’s held captive in an evil traveling wizard circus. After she escapes, Newt is able to earn her trust with the help of what appears to be a cat toy. (He’s a wizard, so we won’t ask questions.) Newt understands that she’s destined to run free, not live in a cage for human entertainment.

“[T]hey’re currently in alien terrain surrounded by millions of the most vicious creatures on the planet … humans. “

It’s ironic that humans fear animals such as sharks, snakes, and crocodiles, when in fact, our species is the deadliest predator of all.

Newt understands this threat and is always working to protect magical individuals from harm. His enchanted suitcase contains a sanctuary, allowing each animal he saves to roam within their own unique habitats.

“I’m writing a book about magical creatures … to help people understand why we should be protecting these creatures instead of killing them.” 

Magical or not, all animals deserve to be protected.

Teaching compassion for animals is important at any age, especially with young children. Informing kids about empathy reduces the likelihood that they’ll grow up to be abusive toward others and can help end cruel types of behavior before they become a violent pattern. So we certainly applaud Newt’s undertaking here.

Visit PETA’s humane education division, TeachKind, for resources that can help teach others to develop compassion for all sentient beings.

“You do not seek power—you simply ask, ‘Is a thing right?’”

This is the reason that Dumbledore—played by former PETA campaign star Jude Law—gives after asking, “Do you know why I admire you, Newt?”

Newt understands that animals aren’t ours to abuse in any way and knows that protecting those who can’t defend themselves is everyone’s responsibility. PETA knows that sometimes it takes doing what is right—not what is popular—to bring about necessary change in order to save the lives of animals. And our tactics continue to be effective in winning victories for animals everywhere.

But if you come across a magic wand, definitely let us know.

Join Newt and PETA in the fight for animal rights and put your compassion to action!

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Warrant Issued for Arrest of Roadside Zoo Owner and Big-Cat Exhibitor

Police are once again after Jeff Lowe, owner of the ramshackle Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (G.W. Zoo), big-cat exhibitor, and constant PETA target.

Las Vegas Wanted poster for roadside zoo owner Jeff Lowe

In November of 2017, police served a search warrant on a home that Lowe had rented in Las Vegas after hearing from animal advocates that he was selling public interactions and photos with big cats as well as at least one lemur. Authorities cited him for failing to have the required licenses to operate a business and possess exotic animals in the city. They also seized tiger and liliger cubs and a lemur and forced Lowe to pay $10,000 in restitution for their care. The judge gave him a suspended jail sentence conditional upon a “stay out of trouble” order, specifying, “That means no illegal activity including animal violations.”

But Lowe admitted to a Las Vegas reporter that he was still selling animal encounters for private parties, rolling big-cat cubs through hotel casinos in suitcases. When he failed to show up for a mandatory court hearing to check on his progress, the judge issued a bench warrant. Lowe has yet to pay the $10,000 in restitution.

The man from whom he purchased the G.W. Zoo, Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is currently incarcerated while awaiting trial for two charges of attempted murder-for-hire of a big-cat rescuer. He’s also been charged with violations of the Endangered Species Act and the Lacey Act for allegedly unlawfully selling tiger cubs, falsifying records relating to the sale of endangered species, and killing five endangered tigers.

In the past year, PETA has rescued 39 tigers, three bears, and two baboons from G.W. Zoo and assisted with the rescue of two chimpanzees. We’ll continue to fight for all the animals there to be transferred to reputable sanctuaries.

 

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The Presidential Turkey Pardon Is Fake News

In keeping with an inflated and misguided tradition, President Donald Trump will soon “pardon” a turkey so that the bird won’t be killed to become a Thanksgiving centerpiece. But let’s clear up a couple of misconceptions. First, turkeys don’t need to be “pardoned.” They aren’t serving five to 10 for armed robbery. (Although considering the massive amounts of antibiotics that farms pump into these birds during the few short months of their lives, a case could possibly be made for drug charges.)

White turkeys with blue sky in background, one looking directly into camera

© iStock.com/luvhotpepper 

Second, contrary to popular belief, “pardoned” turkeys don’t actually get to live. They don’t leave prison through Intake and Release, collect their belongings, and go home to their families. Because they’ve been bred, fed, and drugged to grow much larger much more quickly than they ever would in nature, chances are good that they’ll die of heart failure while President Trump is still in office.

Trump will pardon one of two turkeys this year, either “Peas” or “Carrots,” based on a public vote. After the pardoning, both will live at an exhibit at Virginia Tech. Peas and Carrots both weigh in at about 40 pounds and both are at such a high risk of dying before they even make it to the ceremony that handlers will have “backup” pardonees. The life expectancy of those granted clemency is so short that U.S. News & World Report once ran a story with the headline “All of President Obama’s Pardoned Turkeys Are Dead.” (Though we should probably still demand to see the actual death certificate.) Trump pardonees “Wishbone” and “Drumstick” have already died as well.

No, the presidential turkey pardon is merely a meat industry commercial filmed on the White House lawn.

This year’s “lucky” turkeys hail from South Dakota. The man who raised them, Jeff Sveen, is also the chair of the National Turkey Federation. He told People that the birds are lap animals who love to be petted. You know, unlike other turkeys who really just want to go to the slaughterhouse.

turkeys in transport cages

The slaughterhouse is where more than 44 million of these lap animals will be sent for Thanksgiving alone. The social, playful birds, who chirp and cluck along to music, will be strung up and their heads will be shoved into the “killing cone,” which is, unfortunately, not just a metaphor for careers in the White House. Their throats will be slit and they’ll be scalded in the tank of boiling water used for feather removal, just so that they can become centerpieces on holiday tables.

If you’re hoping for a happier ending for all turkeys, including the presidential pardonees, PETA offers this reminder: Everyone has the power to pardon turkeys by keeping them off their tables this Thanksgiving. The turkeys will certainly tweet about it.

© Trader Joe’s 

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Jack Harries teamed up with PETA to expose the cruelty behind Canada Goose jackets.

In the video, Jack explains why he’s taking a stand:

“When the weather drops, we all want to stay cosy and warm. However, there’s nothing colder than wearing fur from animals that have been violently trapped, killed, and skinned.”

©iStock.com/rpbirdman

He goes on to explain that coyotes – whose fur is used to trim the brand’s coats and jackets – are caught in steel traps and may suffer for days from blood loss, shock, and dehydration before trappers arrive to strangle, stamp, or bludgeon them to death. Mother coyotes have been known to chew through their own limbs in their desperation to return to their starving pups.

Jack also points out that birds are hurt for Canada Goose’s outerwear, too: the company uses down feathers from ducks and geese whose throats are slit before they’re plunged into scalding-hot water, sometimes while still conscious.

Jack is part of a growing celebrities – including Justin Long, Maggie Q, Pamela Anderson, and Sarah Jeffery – who have teamed up with PETA or its affiliates to speak out against Canada Goose.

What You Can Do

You may have seen someone wearing a Canada Goose jacket already this autumn. Many people don’t realise that animals endure a terrifying and agonising death for the brand’s fur trims and down-feather fillers, so please speak up by sharing Jack’s video with your friends and family – and together, we’ll make sure everyone learns what’s done to animals for the company’s garments.

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WATCH: The New Butterball Alexa Skill Gets Roasted

What if the new Alexa Butterball Skill told the truth about preparing turkeys for Thanksgiving?


Find out in a new funny and eye-opening PETA parody video, featuring Tara Strong:

Butterball’s real Alexa skill won’t tell you this, so we will: Before they end up as holiday centerpieces, gentle, sensitive turkeys spend their short lives on factory farms, where thousands of them are packed into dark sheds with no more than 3.5 square feet of space per bird. They’re genetically bred to grow as quickly as possible, and they often become crippled under their own weight.


During an investigation at a Butterball slaughterhouse in Ozark, Arkansas, PETA eyewitnesses documented that workers punched and stomped on live turkeys, slammed them against walls, and worse. Turkeys sold by the company are killed in a process that involves hanging live birds by the legs, slitting their throats, and then dumping them into scalding-hot water in defeathering tanks.

—Help Turkeys Now and All Year Round—

Go Vegan Today!

An estimated 245 million turkeys are raised and killed for their flesh every year in the U.S. At least 44 million of them are killed for Thanksgiving alone, and more than 22 million die for Christmas.

Give thanks without taking lives. Celebrate a vegan holiday season and spare turkeys—and all animals—a life filled with pain and a terrifying death. Every day, more and more people are making the ethical, compassionate, sustainable, and healthy choice to ditch meat, eggs, and dairy “products” and go vegan.


If you’re ready to get started on your vegan journey, we’re here to help. Let PETA’s free resources guide you as you start making kinder choices for animals.


Order a Free Vegan Starter Kit  Sign Up for a Vegan Mentor

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PETA Rescues Turkeys From Slaughterhouse Days Before Thanksgiving

Days before the worst time in America for turkeys, PETA helped rescue 16 gentle turkeys who’d been imprisoned on a farm in Utah, saving them from being sent to a slaughterhouse where their throats would be slit.

PETA’s rescue efforts are a part of a larger liberation project negotiated by PETA friend, Oscar-nominated actor, and animal rights activist James Cromwell and the group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE). Cromwell and DxE arranged for the rescue of 100 turkeys who were facing impending death at Norbest turkey farms outside Salt Lake City just days before Thanksgiving.

PETA is transporting six turkeys to Wildwood Farm Sanctuary in Newberg, Oregon, while the other 10 are going to The Humane Farming Association’s Suwanna Ranch in Elk Creek, California. Check back next week to see how these lovely ladies are settling into their new homes!

PETA Turkey rescue Thanksgiving

When we see turkeys as individuals—who, like humans and other animals, value their own lives and don’t want to die—we see that eating their flesh is indefensible.

Sure, humans may look different from turkeys, but when it comes to important qualities such as the ability to feel excitement, create family bonds, cherish life, and experience pain, fear, and love, we’re all the same.

Here’s something that the meat industry would hate for you to know: If you’re lucky enough to have one of these gentle birds as a friend, you’d know that they have diverse personalities and cherish taking care of their babies. These intelligent, naturally curious birds enjoy greeting new visitors and choose which humans they want to spend time with. Turkeys love to have their feathers stroked, and they’ll even listen to music and sing along.

But on farms, turkeys—who are naturally clean animals—are forced to live in their own filth in cramped, dank sheds. To keep the crowded birds from scratching and pecking one another, famers cut off parts of their beaks and toes without painkillers. Most turkeys are babies—only 3 to 5 months old—when they’re slaughtered. But during their short, miserable lives, they’re denied even the simplest pleasures, such as running, building nests, and raising their young.

Save turkeys year-round by sharing vegan meals with your friends and family.

Share this heartwarming story with your friends and family, too, and let them know that the best way to save any conscious, feeling animals raised for their flesh is to go vegan. Spread the compassion by sending someone you love a free vegan starter kit.

Not vegan yourself? No worries! Order a free vegan starter kit for yourself today. By simply leaving living, feeling beings off your plate, you’ll save nearly 200 animals a year from a senseless and terrifying death.

Order Your Free Vegan Starter Kit

Send a Vegan Starter Kit to a Friend

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