I'm sure many of you have heard of PETA before, either in the newspaper, on TV, or in a tabloid magazine for pulling off some crazy stunt. But how many of you know exactly what PETA is?

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is an organization of over one million members and supporters that was founded in 1980. They are the largest animal rights organization in the world. PETA runs on the simple guideline: that animals are not for eating, wearing, experimenting on, or entertainment. They have many different causes that span from things as large as meat house slaughtering to the indecent removal of "pests" in the home. As stated on their website, "PETA believes that animals deserve the most basic rights," just as you or I.

Most of their work is done by exposing the indecent treatment of animals in laboratories. Thanks to them, most testing facilities are no longer able to use animals as test subjects. Before PETA began in 1980, many cosmetic companies, pharmaceutical companies, and other companies used animals to test the effects of their products. They thought that since they couldn't use humans to test their products, they would use animals. PETA dedicated their time to changing people's minds and opening their eyes to the fact that animals should be spoken for and not allowed to be used in such inhuman ways.

They have also dedicated their time to stopping the cruelty of slaughtering of animals for food, using animals for entertainment in movies, TV, and circuses, the unnecessary poaching of animals for their fur, and the horrible conditions of some pounds around the country and the world. PETA has even tried to attract the attention of younger generations through PETA2.

PETA2 was formed as an online way for younger children to get involved with activism as well. Through them you can find articles of how to live a meat free veggie life style, read up on what kids are doing to change the way animals are treated, and even win cool stuff through their online contests. PETA2 has also been getting attention by sponsoring things like a Warped Tour stage and organizing protests.

All of this seems like a lot of information, doesn't it? Well to add to the madness of it all, they are also a non-profit organization, which means that most of its members are volunteers. They run entirely on donations made to their website through ordinary people and even celebrities. If you are interested in reading more about animal rights and activism, donating, or even volunteering for PETA or PETA2, check with your parents and then visit www.peta.org or www.peta2.com.

Thanks for taking time out to change the world,
screamxx

Editor's Note: screamxx is the newest addition to the Whyville Time's Columnist staff. Please join me in congratulating her for this accomplishment. If you have an idea for a column, then please read article #6264 for instructions on how to apply. Remember you must follow the directions exactly, or your column will not be considered. Thank you, and Happy Writing.