As the world’s longest-running and largest animal rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), is a pillar by which most vegans stand and an inspiration to many. PETA’s founder and president, Ingrid Newkirk, has been a powerhouse over the years, striving to make it known to society that animals are not ours to use or abuse in any way. Following the release of her compelling new book, Animalkind, we talk to Ingrid about why the world needs PETA, what we can learn from animals and the breakthroughs in technology that make cruel lab experiments unnecessary.
What does veganism mean to you?
Being vegan means actively trying to harm as few animals as possible, not only dogs and cats, but also all those we might not have an affinity for or even understand, who are just as sensitive and don’t want to be hurt or die, because of a silly human habit. It means saying goodbye to all of the old ‘caveperson’ things that many of us grew up doing: buying products that were tested in rabbits’ eyes or poured down their throats; eating animal flesh; wearing animals’ hair and skin, which they need in order to keep warm and even to stay alive; and entertaining ourselves by watching captive animals dance and prance for us under duress. It means rejecting animal slavery and domination.