PETA’S Work Receives A Charitable Boost

For Immediate Release:
1 October 2009

Contact:
Sam Glover 020 7357 9229, ext 229; [email protected]

London – On 1 October, PETA Europe Ltd, the European affiliate of the world’s largest animal rights organisation, will cease to campaign. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Foundation, a registered charity, will assume all PETA Europe’s operations as of today. Recent changes in charity law mean that the Foundation will now be able to carry out campaigning work while maintaining greater access to fundraising channels. PETA Europe’s donors will now be able to help more animals than ever before by making their donations out to the PETA Foundation and allowing the Foundation to claim gift aid and other such tax benefits.

The PETA Foundation is also eligible to participate in “give-as-you-earn” programmes. Although big changes are under way for the campaigning organisation, the Foundation will not be changing the way it approaches its projects or vision.

“We’re excited about the new opportunities we will have while operating as a charity”, says PETA Foundation Director Poorva Joshipura. “Every day, more people learn about animal abuse in the food, fashion and entertainment trades, and they are actively seeking ways to avoid contributing to this cruelty. The changes in charity law will bring us more resources and allow us to reach an even greater number of compassionate consumers.”

Among PETA’s anti-cruelty efforts is its bearskins campaign, which aims to pressure the Ministry of Defence into using an alternative to the real bear fur in The Queen’s Guards’ caps. In addition to organising eye-catching demonstrations, PETA Europe have garnered support from celebrities such as Ricky Gervais and Michael Sheen, both of whom wrote to Prime Minister Gordon Brown asking that an alternative to bearskins be found. One of PETA’s biggest projects is its anti-bullfighting campaign. Demonstrations will be organised each year in order to draw attention to the cruelty of bullfighting and the annual “Running of the Bulls” in Pamplona, Spain. PETA Europe’s demonstrations have involved more than 1,000 people from 30 countries. This year’s event included 200 participants who were speared with “banderillas” and “bled” in recognition of the 40,000 bulls abused by the bullfighting industry each year.

Many celebrities have supported PETA Europe’s work by starring in adverts, writing letters and more. The star-studded line-up includes Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Roger Moore, Simon Cowell and Sophie Ellis Bextor.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.