Note: The source of this info is a pro-meat industry group, but the records appear to be accurate!
From here:
Today the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) published documents online showing that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) killed 95 percent of the adoptable pets in its care during 2008. Despite years of public outrage over its euthanasia program, the animal rights group kills an average of 5.8 pets every day at its Norfolk, VA headquarters.
According to public records from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, PETA killed 2,124 pets last year and placed only seven in adoptive homes. Since 1998, a total of 21,339 dogs and cats have died at the hands of PETA workers.
Despite having a $32 million budget, PETA does not operate an adoption shelter. PETA employees make no discernible effort to find homes for the thousands of pets they kill every year. Last year, the Center for Consumer Freedom petitioned Virginia’s State Veterinarian to reclassify PETA as a slaughterhouse. …
… CCF obtained PETA’s”Animal Record”filings since 1998 from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Members of the public can see these documents at PetaKillsAnimals.com.
Thanks a lot PETA, for making people who actually do care about animal rights look stupid and hypocritical by association. Again, the source of this information is a pro-meat industry organization, and cripes did PETA ever hand them a publicity gift.
–Ann Bartow
ETA: See also.
I’m no fan of PETAs sexist advertising, but what you’ve linked above is sheer propaganda.
Here’s the truth: Fighting pit bulls are not “adoptable.” There are a few brave souls that try rehab for a select few, but by and large, fighting Pit bulls ARE PUT DOWN by humane societies, and not just PETA.
If you’d like to bring one of these dogs home to your kids and other animals, let me know.
PS: Please Wiki The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF). This is not just a “pro meat” industry org. This is a rancid, paid for, propaganda machine. The movie “Thank you for Smoking” was based on its owner and company. Peta kills Animals is one of their many, phony websites.
The animals PETA euthanizes are not just “fighting pit bulls” by a long stretch. Data collected by the State of Virginia shows that out of 584 dogs surrendered to PETA’s “shelter” last year, 555 were killed by PETA and only 4 were found homes. Of 1,589 cats surrendered to PETA’s “shelter” last year, 1,569 were killed by PETA and only 3 were found homes.
I agree with you that the CCF has a strong pro-meat propaganda riven agenda. But PETA handed them a gift, because the data CCF cites is verifiable.
Incidentally, my dog, adopted from a shelter 15 years ago, is part “pit bull” in the sense that at least some of her terrier ancestors were breeds that are bred and used for fighting. And she’s been a wonderful pet.
I’m not anti-pit bull, Ann. I know they can be awesome family dogs.
I’m not speaking as a member of PETA, BTW. I’m not one. I’m speaking as someone who’s tried to place unwanted dogs and cats in new homes for about 10 years.
Most people want cute little puppies and kittens. They’ll buy them at the mall rather than adopt an adult from a shelter. This is even more problematic now as so many families have been forced to give up their pets due to foreclosures. Where are all these unwanted pets supposed to go? No kill shelters don’t take unadoptable pets, they have strict rules about the pets they will adopt: under 4 years of age, no expensive or chronic health conditions, etc. This puts state pounds and, yes, even animal welfare advocates in an untenable position. Sometimes we have to put down healthy adult animals to make room for those who stand a chance. That’s why I had to stop trying for a while. It’s too freakin’ heartbreaking. I have 5 animals in my house now. I can’t take any more and care for them they way they deserve to be cared for. If you had any idea how many calls I’ve taken from people who are looking for someone to take their pets because they can’t or won’t keep them. . .
The Humane Societies and the SPCA’s get caught in the exact same trap and end up putting down “adoptable” pets, too. Pits with a fighting background are the very least adoptable pets. They are simply too risky and are typically put down. Peta ends up with more than their fair share of these animals because they, admirably, take them away from their abusers. And yeah, I’ll go on the record and say these dogs are better off euthanized than tortured in a fighting ring until they are deemed useless and then murdered (brutally) by their owners.
I’ll suggest CCF take in these animals themselves if they care so damn much. Hell, they probably have the money to do so. But they don’t care at all. There just out to get PETA because PETA fights the meat and Circus and other animal abusing industries.
I appreciate what you are saying, Gayle. And I admire your commitment. I’m no fan of the CCF. But PETA is the pits, truly.
I’m not a fan of the organization, but they should get their say also.
PETA’s Response:
http://www.peta.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5260