Kategorie: Animals

With temperatures expected to reach at least 95 degrees on Friday afternoon when races are scheduled to run, PETA sent an urgent letter this afternoon calling on Albuquerque Downs stewards to suspend all races on August 14—and every subsequent day with high temperatures.

“Horses are pushed to the limit every time they race, and the additional stress of skyrocketing temperatures can cause brain damage, collapse as a result of heatstroke, and fatal cardiac trauma,” says PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo. “PETA is calling on Albuquerque Downs officials to prevent tragedy by suspending racing tomorrow and whenever New Mexico faces extreme heat.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.

PETA’s letter to Albuquerque Downs stewards follows.

August 13, 2020

Re High Temperatures at Albuquerque Downs

Dear Stewards,

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 6.5 million members and supporters worldwide to urge you to protect horses by suspending racing at Albuquerque Downs tomorrow and this weekend during the current high temperatures.

Temperatures are expected to reach close to 95 degrees in Albuquerque on Friday afternoon when races are scheduled to run. The temperatures and the heat index are forecast to be even higher over the weekend. Horses are pushed to the limit every time they race, and the additional stress of skyrocketing temperatures can cause brain damage, collapse as a result of heatstroke, and fatal cardiac trauma. Extra caution should be taken if horses are racing on Lasix, a diuretic, which can cause dehydration and compounds the risks of racing in extreme heat. There are many examples of horses experiencing breakdowns or collapsing because of heat, including Merciless Cat, who experienced a catastrophic breakdown after his aorta burst when the temperature at the track was over 100 degrees—footage is available here (2:25).

To protect the health of horses and jockeys, tracks across the country have previously postponed races when high temperatures or heat indexes were expected, including last summer when Monmouth Park made the responsible decision to postpone the starting time of the Haskell Invitational. Many other tracks, including Saratoga, Woodbine, Belterra Park, Ellis Park, Laurel Park, and Parx Racing, have canceled races when dangerous temperatures were forecast.

An average of three horses die in racing every day, and extreme heat can easily add to this death toll. By suspending racing until temperatures cool, racetracks can help forestall further heat-related deaths. Please take immediate action to protect horses in New Mexico.

Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Kathy Guillermo

Senior Vice President

Equine Matters Department

The post Heat Prompts Call to Suspend Races at Albuquerque Downs appeared first on PETA.

A Compassion in Fashion Award is on its way from PETA to La La Anthony, whose eponymous fashion line is entirely free of leather, wool, fur, exotic skins, and other animal-derived materials.

“It’s all about being comfortable in your skin, being confident, and loving the skin you’re in,” says Anthony. That’s why no animals were used in her size-inclusive designs, which include vegan leather jumpsuits and pants, cozy wool-free sweaters, and a vegan shearling jacket.

“Not a single rabbit, cow, or sheep was harmed for La La Anthony’s clothing line, and that’s something PETA celebrates,” says PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. “Whether you’re looking for a fashion-forward jumpsuit or a jacket to wear on chilly nights, La La Anthony has a vegan version for shoppers of all sizes.”

A PETA video exposé of the world’s largest leather producer revealed that gentle cows and bulls were branded on the face, electroshocked, and beaten before being killed for their skin. Just recently, a shearer pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals after being caught beating sheep in the face with heavy electric clippers during a PETA Asia investigation of sheep-shearing crews in Australia. PETA has also exposed that crocodiles are cut apart while still alive in the exotic-skins industry, and in the fur industry, minks were left to rot in cages and rabbits were bludgeoned with metal pipes.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. Anthony joins a long list of stars who’ve used vegan materials in their fashion collections, including Rihanna, Serena Williams, Rooney Mara, RZA, and Jessica Simpson.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

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The post Jay Owenhouse: Tigers Don’t Belong on the Vegas Strip! appeared first on PETA.

Roller rinks and beach boardwalks aren’t the only places where you’re bound to see roller skaters these days. While the COVID-19 pandemic limits indoor recreational activities, more people are looking to find fun in the sun. Luckily, you don’t have to look too far to find a roller skate made with animals in mind. Whether you’re a recreational or competitive skater, many vegan roller skates will suit your needs. Various brands make “accidentally vegan” skates out of flexible faux-leather options, but many also make ones specifically tailored to people looking for a vegan skate. By choosing a leather-free skate, you help save cows, pigs, kangaroos, and other animals who are commonly killed for their skin.

These are just a few great options if you’re looking for vegan roller skates:

Impala Quad Skate

Impala’s “PETA-Approved Vegan” skates, made from high-quality vegan leather, come in a variety of bright colors and cute patterns. (Tip: Keep an eye on Impala’s Instagram for the scoop on new restocks.)

Impala Lightspeed Inline Skate

If speed is more your thing, you’ll love these inline skates.

Moxi Beach Bunny Roller Skates

These vegan roller skates by Moxi come in five bright colors that will make you feel like you’re gliding along Venice Beach.

Moxi Vegan Jack

For a high-performance option, Moxi makes the customizable Vegan Jack skate with Clarino microfiber leather, which is softer and stronger than leather made from animals. Innovative vegan leather materials like Clarino are better for the environment than conventional leather and outperform it.

Sure-Grip Stardust Skate

Glittery pink, blue, black, or gold boots will help you make a statement on the streets.

Sure-Grip Rock Star Skate

Don’t forget the kids! Sure-Grip makes these fun sparkly pink skates, perfect for true beginners.

Order Your FREE Vegan Starter Kit

Send Me a Vegan Starter Kit

Rookie Bubblegum Roller Skates

These skates from U.K. brand Rookie come in two bubblegum-inspired pastel colors: blue with purple accents and pink with blue accents.

C7 Basic Roller Skates

These beginner skates are affordable, come in four cute colors, and are made of a lightweight vegan leather that makes it easy to learn the ropes.

C7 Premium Roller Skates

All C7 skates are made with vegan leather, so check out the Premium collection, too, if you’re looking for a bright boot with some added support.

Riedell Citizen Roller Skate Set

Riedell offers a variety of vegan roller skates, ranging from beginner to professional. The Riedell Citizen is a great beginner boot, available in either black or white.

Angel Skates Gold LED Roller Skates

Make a statement in these flashy sneaker-style skates, which feature LED lights on the wheels.

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Animals used in the leather industry are often abused and subjected to horrific conditions before being killed. Their lives are cut short, when they should be free to live without fear for years longer. Leather not only hurts animals, it’s also hazardous to the people who work in the industry or live near tanneries. Plus, it’s a massive source of greenhouse-gas emissions and water pollution. There’s no reason to support this toxic industry—make sure your wardrobe stays free from leather and other animal-derived materials by using our guide to compassionate clothing:

PETA’s Vegan Clothing Shopping Guide

Note: PETA participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide websites with a means to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

The post Glide Along With These Leather-Free Roller Skates appeared first on PETA.

As the number of COVID-19 cases increases in Indiana, PETA has placed a billboard within chewing distance of a Kroger store and several fast-food restaurants pointing out that speciesism—the pompous belief that humans are superior to other animals and that gives us the right to confine and slaughter them for food—is the source of a litany of deadly diseases, including COVID-19.

“It’s a fact: Eating meat from animals who were confined in their own filth hurts them and comes back to bite us in the form of pandemics,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA offers free vegan starter kits, free vegan mentor services, and free tips on animal-friendly eating to help people save lives, including their own.”

Confining and killing animals for food has been linked to SARS, swine flu, bird flu, and COVID-19, and a new strain of swine flu with “pandemic potential” has been spreading from pigs to humans in China. In U.S. slaughterhouses, workers stand shoulder to shoulder and slit animals’ throats above blood-soaked floors, with line speeds so fast that animals end up thrashing around and injuring them—conditions that allow COVID-19 to spread. Fewer than half of slaughterhouses report offering testing to their employees, and more than 40,000 cases among workers have been recorded.

The billboard is located at 2821 S. Washington St., across from a Kroger store and near a McDonald’s, a Burger King, a Domino’s, and other fast-food restaurants. The ad is also a 30-minute drive from a Tyson pig slaughterhouse, where hundreds of employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

Resources on PETA’s website include vegan starter kits, its one-on-one Vegan Mentor Program, and a list of vegan-friendly restaurant chains. PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.

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