PETA's Lifesaving Work

PETA's uncompromising stand on animal rights is what sets us apart and makes us so effective at fighting cruelty to animals. Through undercover investigations, animal rescue, demonstrations, youth outreach, and much more, we speak up for animals and uphold our mission:

Animals are not ours to eat

Animals are not ours to eat

Without a doubt, the food industry causes more animals to suffer than any other industry—billions and billions of them. That's why PETA works to eliminate the most egregious abuses of animals on factory farms, in transport trucks, and in slaughterhouses while vigorously campaigning to get people to go vegan. Here are some examples of our achievements in the past year:

  • An undercover investigation of Adirondack Farms, LLC—a factory farm that supplies milk to the maker of Cabot and McCadam cheeses—increased the pressure on the dairy industry to adopt crucial reforms regarding dehorning. Prosecutors are reviewing local law enforcement findings from a criminal investigation of the farm.
  • Hormel announced in 2012 that it will phase out gestation crates within five years.

Animals are not ours to wear

Animals are not ours to wear

PETA has persuaded more fashion and apparel companies to adopt animal-friendly policies than any other organization. Here are some examples of our achievements in the past year:

  • Following discussions with PETA, Japan-based UNIQLO, part of Fast Retailing, began immediately phasing out the purchase of merino wool from suppliers who "mules" lambs.
  • The PUMA Group, which distributes footwear and apparel, and Mango, a clothing retailer, banned fur and exotic skins from their product lines.
  • Online clothing retailer Haband stopped selling products made of down following PETA's newly launched campaign against the cruel trade.

Animals are not ours to experiment on

Animals are not ours to wear

From blocking the supply of primates to laboratories to convincing government agencies to spare millions of animals from chemical tests, PETA is striking a crushing blow against the animal experimentation industry. Here are some examples of our achievements in the past year:

  • Air China (China's largest airline) confirmed that it would no longer transport primates for use in experiments.
  • FedEx, UPS, and DHL banned the shipping of any animals for use in experiments.
  • Undercover video footage of cruel military trauma training involving animals led to federal citations against contractor Tier 1 Group for violating the Animal Welfare Act.

Animals are not ours to use for entertainment

Animals are not ours to use for entertainment

No organization is more successful than PETA in exposing and stopping the abuse of animals used for entertainment. Here are some examples of our achievements in the past year:

  • Ben the Bear was rescued and relocated to a sanctuary after spending six years living in a concrete kennel at a seedy roadside zoo in North Carolina.
  • Former racehorse Royale With Speed was saved from slaughter during a PETA undercover investigation documenting the grueling journey endured by horses sold for slaughter in the U.S.
  • PETA pressure contributed to the cancellation of HBO television show Luck after three horses died during production.

Animals are not ours Abuse in Any Other Way

Animals are not ours to abuse in any other way

PETA's cruelty caseworkers are on call 24 hours a day to ensure that animal victims are rushed to safety and that animal abusers are brought to justice. The following examples give a tiny glimpse into this year's caseload:

  • Nearly 700 cats were seized from Caboodle Ranch, a Florida "no-kill" hoarding facility, and the operator, Craig Grant, was charged with felony cruelty to animals and scheming to defraud.
  • Following a PETA investigation, Susan Marino, the founder and operator of Angel's Gate, Inc., was prohibited from owning animals after being charged with 22 counts of cruelty to animals.
  • Twenty-six dogs were seized from a New York puppy mill owner who was charged with 50 counts of cruelty.
  • More than 80 neglected horses and donkeys were seized from a Georgia hoarder who was charged with cruelty.
  • Ten dogs were seized in Illinois after a man and a juvenile filmed themselves tormenting dogs in a series of videos. The two were indicted on multiple counts, including felony animal torture.

the next generation

The Next Generation

PETA's youth outreach division, peta2, has the largest youth membership of any social justice organization. Through our work, peta2 helps get the message out to future generations that animals are not ours to exploit. Here are some of our achievements in the past year:

  • peta2 staffed information booths at more than 340 campus outreach stops, events, and concerts.
  • More than 61,000 young people sent text messages to the Food and Drug Administration urging the agency to ban cigarette tests on animals as part of our "Animals Don't Smoke" campaign.

Victories for Animals in 2012

See some of the many victories that we've won for animals—victories that wouldn't have been possible without our 3 million members and supporters, who have helped PETA fight for animal rights around the world.