These Are the Animals YOU Helped in 2013

It’s been an exciting year. Our campaigns have been non-stop, and with your help, we’ve achieved wonderful things. The following are a few of the victories that we’ve achieved together for animals in 2013:

1. Rabbits
   
   David-O / CC BY 2.0
   We knew that our video showing rabbits screaming in pain on Chinese angora farms was deeply shocking. But the response has blown us away. After learning where their angora products came from, outraged consumers sprang into action – sharing the video footage, signing up for our campaign and flooding businesses with messages urging them to stop selling the stuff. As a result of this backlash, brands from H&M to Calvin Klein have stopped producing angora.
2. Bulls
   
   Hans Pama / CC BY 2.0
   Activists from all over the world descended on Pamplona, Spain, in July and took part in a sombre protest to honour the 48 bulls who are tortured and killed in the ring at the annual San Fermín festival. Meanwhile, in the UK, overwhelming numbers of people got behind the #LoveSpainHateBullfights movement, with messages, tweets and demonstrations against Spain’s bullfighting shame.
3. Pigs
   
   sneakerdog / CC BY 2.0
   As of October this year, the Polish military will no longer dismember live pigs or any other animals in archaic military drills, following meetings with PETA and its affiliates and tens of thousands of messages from concerned people all around the world urging officials to adopt humane and more effective non-animal training techniques.
4. Mice and guinea pigs
   
   picto:graphic / CC BY-SA 2.0
   Not only did this year usher in a long-awaited new EU-wide ban on selling cosmetics tested on animals – sparing countless animals from the hell of vivisection – it also saw the approval of innovative new non-animal tests, funded by PETA, which could replace painful skin tests on mice and guinea pigs. This is a great step forward – and we couldn’t have done it without your support.
5. Geese and ducks
   
   aubergene / CC BY 2.0
   Our work against foie gras, the revolting foodstuff made by force-feeding birds until their lives become diseased, made great headway. Companies have been dropping the product left, right and centre, from retail giants such as Amazon UK and the Brakes Group to many local businesses that were contacted by conscientious PETA supporters.
6. Elephants, tigers, zebras, camels and racoons
   
   Hans Pama / CC BY 2.0
   Your actions this year helped ensure that wild animals will be kept out of circuses in England and Wales. After an initial announcement about the ban was made, we received worrying news that the ban could be watered down to protect only tigers and elephants. But after more than 15,000 people promptly sent Defra sternly worded messages about the need to keep all wild animals out of the circus, the minister in charge of the ban confirmed that, as promised, it will come into full effect in 2015.
7. Chickens
   
   picto:graphic / CC BY-SA 2.0
   PETA supporters sprang to the defence of factory-farmed chickens this year by objecting en masse to planning applications for the construction of horrific broiler production facilities in Worcestershire and Shropshire – and it worked, as local councils promptly rejected the cruel plans!
8. Dogs
   
   Alberto Ziveri / CC BY-SA 2.0
   Tails were wagging all round after PETA’s Action Team successfully stood up for beagles bred for animal testing at a proposed Yorkshire facility and greyhounds made to race for money at a stadium in Bolton this year.
9. Cows
   
   mazwebs / CC BY-SA 2.0
   A staggering 14,000 people moved towards a life-saving vegan diet by ordering our free starter kit in 2013, while many more signed our vegan pledge online, inspired in part by Emily Deschanel’s eye-opening video about the dairy industry. Of course, it’s not just cows who are abused for food – every person who turns vegan is also helping chickens, pigs, sheep and fish (and themselves!).
10. Monkeys
    
    Selda Eigler / CC BY-SA 2.0
    The international trade in primates for animal testing is facing major setbacks after two more airlines – China Eastern Airlines and Air Philippines – responded to calls from PETA and its affiliates to stop shipping monkeys to laboratories. Thanks to our efforts, experimenters are now finding it much tougher to get their hands on primates for unethical tests.
11. Minks
    
    qmnonic / CC BY-SA 2.0
    It started with one person – a supporter who took to Twitter to challenge his local mayor about fur-lined ceremonial robes. After that, we saw a wave of councils across the country responding to public opinions by coming out as fur-free and proud, striking another blow against the industry that farms and kills mink and other animals for their skins. This year also saw celebrities from Gemma Collins to Imelda May amplifying the anti-fur message, with headline-grabbing ads and heartfelt appeals against fur farming.
12. Orcas
    
    DrTH80 / CC BY-SA 2.0
    The movie Blackfish made waves this year, with its shocking revelations about how orcas are imprisoned and abused for entertainment by SeaWorld marine. From the documentary’s first preview screenings in the spring to its showing on UK prime-time TV in November, your enthusiasm helped make the film a success – capturing the attention of celebrities and musicians and raising awareness of the plight of orcas such as Morgan, who are suffering in marine prisons around the world.
13. Seals
    
    USFWS Pacific / CC BY-SA 2.0
    In November, the World Trade Organisation voted to uphold the EU’s ban on importing seal fur after hearing from PETA and supporters, including Jude Law, who wrote a letter on our behalf. The welcome news means that there is now no international market for seal fur, putting Canadian sealers basically out of business.
14. Palm civets
    
    Kabacchi / CC BY-SA 2.0
    Not many people had heard of these small, shy mammals until PETA Asia’s shocking investigation showed the world how they are imprisoned and abused for kopi luwak coffee, which is made from beans excreted by the animals. After tens of thousands of people saw the video, consumers pledged to stay away from the perverse product in droves, forcing the industry to take notice.
15. Pigeons
    
    zigazou76 / CC BY-SA 2.0
    PETA US’ “Graveyard Races” exposé was the world’s first-ever investigation into the murky world of pigeon racing and shone a spotlight on illegal gambling, routine killing and the thousands of these gentle, loyal birds who lose their lives in gruelling cross-channel races each year. Outraged supporters responded by bombarding Defra with e-mails asking for a crackdown on this so-called “sport”.

*****

Your voices, e-mails, compassion, generosity, commitment and energy played a part in every single one of these victories – so thank you!

Of course, there’s still so much to be done to stop cruelty and help our non-human friends. We’re confident that 2014 is going to be another ground-breaking year for animals. We’re looking forward to ramping up our campaigns on all fronts – and, of course, to having our inspiring supporters alongside us every step of the way.