PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving animal rights. PETA is said to be the largest animal rights group in the world with 1.8 million members.

In April 2009, PETA announced the winners of its 2009 "Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door" contest. Among 32 finalists, the male and female winners were Los Angeles' Monty Marsh, a 33-year-old owner of a chihuahua and a visual arts firm, and Amber Johnson, a 29-year-old photographer from Minnesota who likes boxer dogs and "bad boys who have a heart for animals."PETA.org: Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door 2009 Winners

Early 2010, PETA has several active Advertisement Campaigns.

• PETA yearly organises a "Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door" contest, which was won in 2009 by Los Angeles' Monty Marsh, a 33-year-old owner of a chihuahua and a visual arts firm, and Amber Johnson, a 29-year-old photographer from Minnesota who likes boxer dogs and "bad boys who have a heart for animals."PETA.org: Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door 2009 Winners

• The ABC for Animal Birth Control campaign includes a sexy advertisement with Adult star Sashe Grey;

• The Ink, not Mink campaign focuses on male role models with tattoos, including R&B singer Mario.http://www.peta.org/feat-abc_campaign.asp

• In 2010, PETA started a campaign against animals in circuses. Their main point of focus is Barack, a baby elephant performing at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2861

• In January 2010 PETA launched its yearly PETA's 2010 State of the Union.http://blog.peta.org/archives/2010/01/state_of_the_union_undressed.php

• PETA also holds a "Worst dressed Celebrity contest, in which fur- and animal skin-wearing celebrities are going head-to-head to define "Who Wore It Worse?"http://www.peta.org/feat-worstdressed2010-Day2.asp

• PETA also announced their Top 5 2010 Super Bowl Commercials, choosing the best "animal-friendly" commercialshttp://blog.peta.org/archives/2010/02/top_five_super_bowl_ads.php

• Especially for Valentines Day, PETA holds a Valentine's Day Twitter contest, asking people to send in their "too-cute-for-140-characters animal companions".http://blog.peta.org/archives/2010/02/twitter_e-cards.php

• PETA's Save the Seals Campaign will get increased attention, as PETA targets the Winter Olympics 2010, held in Vancouverhttps://secure.peta.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3080&3080.donation=form1&set.custom.Campaign_Code=H10BWABXXXG&autologin=true

In March 2010, PETA solicited to take over Sex.com, one of the costliest, and well known internet webpages. The claim initially lead to laughter and disbelief, but the previous owner, who went bankrupt, allegedly was seriously considering the offer. http://blog.peta.org/archives/2010/03/peta_solicits.php

In April 2010, Josh Stone announced she would team up with PETA to pose for their anti-fur campaign. Her pictures, which will be launched later in 2010, will be used by PETA.uk, in a campaign focusing on banning the black bear pelts worn by royal guards in Britain.http://www.hindustantimes.com/Joss-Stone-bares-all-for-PETA/H1-Article1-530644.aspx

image:http://trendygreen.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/lea_michele_spring_awakening.jpgAlso, United States 'Glee' actress Lea Michele spoke out for PETA, in a non-nude campaign, stating "Buck Cruelty, Say No to horse drawn Carriage Races". http://content.usatoday.com/communities/pawprintpost/post/2010/04/glee-star-lea-michele-joins-peta-campaign-against-fur/1

PETA is also strongly supporting "Dancing with the Stars" contestant, and active PETA supporter Pamela Anderson. According to rumors, Anderson has already been saved from elimination by 'veggie votes' by PETA supporters. http://blog.peta.org/archives/2010/04/pamela_anderson_shake_unveiled.php

PETA reacted to the picture by stating:

“Kim Kardashian isn’t the only person who mistakenly thinks that because a mother cat picks up her kittens by the scruff of the neck that a supportive hand under the rump isn’t needed, but I’ll bet plenty of fans have let her know – nicely, we hope!”

According to PETA, it is tolerable to hold a kitten by his or her scruff for a brief amount of time, however “the manner in which Ms. Kardashian is holding the kitten could lead others to mishandle animals.”http://www.mwza.com/kim-kardashian-cat-photo-outragekim-picture-holding-kitten/

Kardashian defended herself at her blog, stating:

“Hey guys! So yesterday I was doing a photo shoot with an adorable black kitty cat and I Twitpic’d a picture. I have been getting negative comments regarding the way I was holding the kitty, but rest assured, the owner and vet were on set and showed me how to pick him up. The cat was not harmed in any way and is perfectly fine! I love animals and would never do anything to harm any animals.”http://www.mwza.com/kim-kardashian-cat-photo-outragekim-picture-holding-kitten/

PETA's headquarters are in Norfolk, Virginia. There are affiliated offices throughout Canada, France, India, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. PETA employs 187 people and is funded by member contributions.

The four core issues of PETA are factory farming, fur farming, animal testing and the use of animals in entertainment. The group conducts cruelty investigations, animal rescue, public education and protest campaigns.

PETA works to help improve the quality of life for animals, and prevent the unnecessary deaths of animals. PETA has fought the use of laboratory animals, and in 1981 their work led to the conviction of an animal experimenter in the first U.S. Supreme Court case related to laboratory animals.

Through PETA's "Fur is Dead Campaign", they exposed the fur industry for their inhumane practices. This convinced retailers like J. Crew, and Ann Taylor to stop selling fur in their stores.

The group protested the 2009 Westminster Dog Show dressed as Ku Klux Klan members, arguing that the breeding practices for the dogs in the competition are cruel.Los Angeles Times: PETA protests Westminster dog show (Klan hoods and all) (February 9, 2009)

PETA has repeatedly been criticized for using nudity to promote its cause. Their advertisements regularly get banned or refused.

• In December 2009, an advertisement showing Joanna Krupa with wings and a cross caused criticism for its unneccessary usage of Christian symbols. Critics called it "totally inappropriate" and exploitative. The advertisement was part of the "Be An Angel for Animals: Always Adopt, Never Buy." campaign.http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2009/12/01/critics-blast-peta-advertisement-nude-model-crucifix/

• In 2009 PETA had a commercial slated for the Super Bowl, called Veggie Love, but the was refused by NBC, because of the appearance that the women were having sex with vegetables.Official Site: 'Veggie Love': PETA's Banned Super Bowl Ad
  

• PETA.org: Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door 2009 Winners

1. Los Angeles Times: PETA protests Westminster dog show (Klan hoods and all) (February 9, 2009)

• The New York Times: PETA's Latest Tactic: $1 Million for Fake Meat (April 21, 2008)
• Hollywood.com: "So Wrong: Holly Madison's Naked Ad for PETA"
• USAToday.com: "Crusader's Committed is a monument to PETA power"
• TMZ.com: "J.Lo Ambushed by PETA"
• Official Site: PETA Media Center
• Google News: PETA search