Because ExxonMobil continues to pump money into the deadly Iditarod dog race even as other sponsors have pulled out, PETA supporters armed with yellow caution tape and “blood”-filled gas jugs will close a local Exxon station for cruelty tomorrow. The action follows a PETA protest outside the company’s headquarters and is one of many planned for Exxon locations nationwide.
When: Thursday, September 24, 12 noon
Where: Exxon gas station, 3801 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. (near the intersection with W. Euclid Avenue), Tampa
“Exxon has the shameful distinction of being one of the last major companies still sponsoring the Iditarod’s cruelty to dogs,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is urging it to stop propping up an evil industry that forces dogs to run so far and so fast that they often die after inhaling their own vomit.”
Jack Daniel’s, Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, Alaska Airlines, and many other companies cut ties with the race after PETA pointed out that more than 150 dogs have died in the Iditarod since it began. In addition to being tied up on mushers’ properties (as revealed in this PETA exposé), dogs are forced to pull heavy sleds across 1,000 miles through blinding blizzards and subzero temperatures.
More than 220 dogs were pulled off the trail during the 2020 race because of exhaustion, illness, injury, or other causes. One, Cool Cat, developed twisted intestines and almost died. Another, Betty, had pneumonia and was in critical condition, and two others refused to eat and had fevers, diarrhea, and persistent coughs.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.
Pursuant to a court order, PETA and The Wild Animal Sanctuary have confiscated three juvenile lions from Tiger King subject Jeff Lowe’s now-defunct Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (G.W. Park).
The confiscation comes as part of PETA’s victorious Endangered Species Act (ESA) lawsuit against Lowe’s former business partner Tim Stark, who transferred the lions to Lowe. PETA is now setting its sights on the G.W. Park and has sent Lowe and several of his associates a notice of intent (NOI) to sue under the ESA (which requires plaintiffs to inform potential defendants at least 60 days prior to taking legal action).
PETA alleges that the G.W. Park and its operators have violated the ESA in numerous ways. This includes by prematurely separating big-cat cubs from their mothers and forcing them to interact with members of the public as well as denying ring-tailed lemurs, big cats, and a grizzly bear proper nutrition and species-appropriate enrichment. The grizzly and the big cats were also denied adequate veterinary care, as alleged by PETA. PETA’s lawsuit will ask the court to stop Lowe from continuing to harm or harass protected animals both at the G.W. Park in Wynnewood and at a planned facility in Thackerville, as alleged in the NOI.
“PETA wants to end the G.W. Park’s years of tormenting animals,” says PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet, who appeared in Tiger King. “Avoiding this lawsuit is as simple as letting PETA find new homes for these animals at reputable sanctuaries—and agreeing never to own, exhibit, or have any other contact with ESA-protected animals again.”
At The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, the three rescued lions will enjoy acres to roam and receive professional veterinary care. One of them is Nala, who was so ill in June that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) halted an inspection and ordered Lowe to provide her with immediate veterinary care. Afterward, the USDA suspended Lowe’s federal Animal Welfare Act license and began proceedings to revoke it permanently.
A fourth lion had been transferred from Stark to Lowe—but PETA recently learned that she died under suspicious circumstances, allegedly in August. The group is investigating her death.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.
What if there were a way to support equality and justice while enjoying tasty plant-based foods, all from the comfort of your own home? Well, you’re in luck, because these 10 Black-owned vegan food brands deliver right to your door.
Maya’s Cookies has all sorts of delectable, unique recipes that you won’t find at your average bakery. “The Obama” was inspired by former first lady Michelle Obama’s iconic mint, white, and semi-sweet chocolate chip cookie recipe—but made vegan. You can send deluxe packages of Maya’s Cookies to friends and family as a nice gift or simply treat yourself.
If you never seem to have a moment off, meal prepping doesn’t have to be another chore to add to your busy schedule. Sam Boyce created Boycemode so that you can have meal prep options delivered right to your door in 100% compostable packaging. Boycemode offers a wide variety of wholesome plant-based meals, which allows you to fuel your body the right way while alleviating some stress.
MylkDog Cheez products contain 11 ingredients that are dairy-, soy-, and gluten-free. If you think vegan cheese makes everything better (which it does), try the Original Notcho Cheez. You can add it to sandwiches, burritos, mac and cheese, chips, veggies—whatever your taste buds desire.
If knowing that traditional marshmallows are filled with animal bones and tendons isn’t enough to make you find a vegan option, Funky Mello will surely do the trick. These aren’t your run-of-the mill plain marshmallows—they’re chewy and gooey and come in different flavors so that you can enjoy them in a vegan s’more or by themselves.
Oat Butter is the brainchild of the one and only Jakera Willis, who decided it was time to change the way people think and talk about food. This raw, vegan, and gluten-free spread can be added to nearly any snack, from fruit to toast. Try adding the Cinnamon Maple Walnut Oat Butter to your vegan yogurt for a new go-to breakfast recipe—but be quick, because these nourishing products sell out fast!
Ayindé Howell combined his passion for nutritious vegan cooking with his family’s generational recipes to create Mac & Yease. If you need an easy-to-prepare dish that you can share with friends and family, the Original Mac & Yease and the Jalapeño & Cheddar Mac & Yease packs come with all the ingredients and instructions that will make you the king or queen of the vegan potluck.
If you need to enliven your plant-based plate with some new vegan sauces, Houston Sauce Co. is where it’s at. Flavors include sweet, spicy, cheesy, tangy—whatever you’re craving, there’s a sauce that will satisfy. Toss some fried cauliflower in the Dirty 3rd Sauce to make delicious vegan Buffalo wings, or dip some veggies into the fresh lemon pepper Sunnyside Sauce.
Carolyn Simon grew up loving Jamaican patties, which is why she was so compelled to make a version of them that vegans can enjoy. These patties are packed with wholesome ingredients such as kale, carrots, and soy-based vegan beef, all wrapped in a soft, flaky crust.
Owned by mother-daughter vegan chefs Mieko Scott and Kamari Quinones, Hella Nuts is the soy-free option for vegan meat. The walnut-based meat can be shipped to your door and added to tacos, pasta, burritos, and all kinds of other dishes for a little extra protein and texture.
Made with raw coconut milk, Kubé ice cream is refreshing, delicious, and nourishing. You can try the classic vanilla or chocolate flavors or opt for something a little more daring, like the Orange Turmeric, Cardamom, or Lemon Ginger.
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While you oppose speciesism, it’s important to keep other social justice issues in mind as well. If you’re looking for more Black-owned businesses to support, check out PETA’s list of Black-owned vegan restaurants and Black-owned beauty brands.
PETA has obtained a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report revealing a violation of law at Swift Pork Company in Ottumwa on September 1. In response, the group sent a letter this morning calling on Wapello County Attorney Reuben Neff to review the matter and, as appropriate, file criminal cruelty-to-animals charges against the facility and staff responsible for the fatal scalding and drowning of a conscious pig. A USDA inspector had observed the animal—who was hanging by a leg on the slaughter line—crying out and trying to turn upright after his or her throat had apparently been cut. As he tried to find an employee to stop the line, he heard the pig cry out again, seconds before the animal was sent—still conscious—into a scalding tub of water.
“This disturbing report shows that this pig was condemned to a terrifying, agonizing death at Swift Pork Company,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of the pig who was scalded and drowned at this facility and urging all compassionate members of the public who are disturbed by this cruelty to go vegan and help prevent more animals from suffering in slaughterhouses.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. The group notes that pigs, sheep, cattle, chickens, and other animals feel pain and fear and value their lives, just as humans do, and that the only way to help prevent them from suffering in slaughterhouses is not to eat them.
I hope this letter finds you well. I would like to request that your office (and the proper local law enforcement agency, as you deem appropriate) investigate and file suitable criminal charges against Swift Pork Company and the worker(s) responsible for causing a conscious, crying pig whose throat had apparently been cut to be scalded and/or drowned to death on September 1 at its slaughterhouse located at 600 S. Iowa Ave. in Ottumwa. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) documented the incident in the attached report, which states the following:
“IPP [FSIS Inspection Program Personnel] heard hog vocalization, turned to the bleed rail and observed a conscious hog vocalizing while attempting to right itself. IPP motioned his hand towards the hog’s face as he got closer and observed eye blinking. This took place shortly before the incline to the scald tub. As IPP followed the hog up the incline, he observed two more vocalization[s] and righting reflex episodes with the hog arching its head upwards towards its shoulders. As IPP went up the stairs to the scald tub, in an attempt to find someone to stop the chain, he heard another vocalization episode. Seconds later the hog went into the scald tub.”1
This conduct appears to violate Iowa Code § 717.2(1)(c). Importantly, FSIS action does not preempt criminal liability under state law for slaughterhouse workers who perpetrate acts of cruelty to animals.2
Please let us know what we might do to assist you. Thank you for your consideration and for the difficult work that you do.
2See Nat’l. Meat Assoc. v.Harris, 132 S. Ct. 965, 974 n.10 (2012) (“States may exact civil or criminal penalties for animal cruelty or other conduct that also violates the [Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA)]. See [21 U.S.C.] §678; cf. Bates v. Dow Agrosciences, LLC, 544 U.S. 431, 447 (2005) (holding that a preemption clause barring state laws ‘in addition to or different’ from a federal Act does not interfere with an ‘equivalent’ state provision). Although the FMIA preempts much state law involving slaughterhouses, it thus leaves some room for the States to regulate.”).
As Tropical Storm Beta approaches—and because a tropical storm warning is now in effect for areas in Texas including Houston and Galveston—never to leave dogs tethered or penned outside and always to take animal companions with you if you have to evacuate.
Believe it or not, every time there’s a natural disaster, many dogs and other companion animals are left outside to fend for themselves and even left behind when humans evacuate. Dogs kept tethered will swim to exhaustion and drown—and there are tethered dogs everywhere. PETA’s Animal Rescue Team has witnessed firsthand the trauma that animals endure when left behind to face floodwaters and flying debris. During previous storms, we have found dogs dead. We have also found them up to their necks in water, unable to sit or lie down, and in almost-submerged crates inside houses and seen animals who have been flung around by high winds. And of course, animals are petrified in these kinds of weather conditions.
PETA has released a natural disaster–preparedness PSA featuring Dean Winters. Make plans to ensure the safety of animal companions long before evacuating. For more information, please visit PETA.org.
