Ask Ingrid Newkirk

Submit your question to Ask Ingrid Newkirk (220 other responses).

1. Posted by Andy Cleveland in Grand Rapids, Michigan:

   How many pets do you have and what are they?

2. Posted by Andy Cleveland in Grand Rapids, Michigan:

   Seriously, breast milk?

3. Posted by Andy Cleveland in Grand Rapids, Michigan:

   Is there a single reason for the founding of PETA, or a collection of injustices against animals that got you started?

4. Posted by Steve Randall in Portland, OR:

   When are we going to see another naked PETA ad with Pamela Anderson?

5. Posted by Eric Meyers in Scranton, PA:

   What is PETA's stance on cloning animals for food or in-vitro meat?

6. Posted by Susan Simmons in Tampa, FL:

   You've inspired so many people, including me. Who inspires you?

7. Posted by Catherine G. Pilie in Covington, Louisiana:

   So what is your opinion on Alaska's aerial hunting of the wolves?

8. Posted by Catherine G. Pilie in Covington, Louisiana:

   What do you find is the most common trait among animal activists and plain animal lovers?

9. Posted by Joel Bartlett in South Portland, ME:

   What milestones do you think the animal rights movement will accomplish in your lifetime?

10. Posted by Lisa Towell in Los Altos, CA:

    People seem to be increasingly aware of the terrible conditions on factory farms, and we're starting to see some reforms (some legislative and some directly from the industry). Do you see this trend continuing steadily over many years, or do you think we may reach a critical mass at some point that results in faster change?

11. Posted by Aaron O’Reilly in London, Ontario, Canada:

    PETA has done so many great things for Animal Rights in the past, often through unusual, even social abrasive, methods. Has there ever been an action in the past that you would have done differently or thought it might have been taken too far, or even recieved more of an extreme reaction than you believed it should have?

12. Posted by James Atkins in Boerne Tx:

    What do you think of the facebook group. PETA- people eating tasty animals?

13. Posted by Raffe Gold in Sydney:

    With hundreds of thousands of young children being abused every day as child soldiers, camel jockeys in Arabia or as child prostitutes. Don't you think the welfare of human beings trumps the welfare of animals in these dangerous times?

14. Posted by Laramie McEnaney in Bainbridge, OH:

    How will eliminating dairy products from our diets benefit the animals, the planet and our own health?

15. Posted by Sarah Kole in Staunton, VA:

    You have a new book out, One Can Make a Difference. I noticed that, unlike your other books, this one does not have as strong of an animal rights message as your previous books. Is there a reason for this and how do you think this book will help the animal rights movement?

16. Posted by Max Wilson in Seattle:

    Do you view any of PETA's current or past tactics as having been counter-productive to PETA's goals? If so, what were they?

17. Posted by Erika Kohl in Westford, MA:

    Using human breast milk for ice cream seems a rather bizarre request; were you trying to make a point about using milk from a mom that moos vs one that doesn't?

18. Posted by Faye Whitt in Greenville, South Carolina:

    PETA's (and your) animal rights philosophy is broad, addressing documentable issues of cruelty toward domesticated, farmed, and wild animals. For example, on page 205 of your previous book, MAKING KIND CHOICES, you write, "Studies have shown what common sense tells us: Like us, chickens form strong family ties and mourn when they lose a loved one, if allowed to do so." You have also made position statements to the San Francisco Chronicle (Wednesday, June 8, 2005) and on PETA.org (January 27, 2000), supporting automatic euthanization of all "pit bull" type dogs, and a legal ban on them. More specifically and recently, PETA recommended that all the dogs confiscated in the Michael Vick dogfighting case be summarily destroyed, although the majority of them were ultimately relinquished by law enforcement to various reputable rescue groups for rehabilitation and, when possible, adoption. Please, for once, fully explain the *logic* behind PETA's (and your) position on animal rights with regard to "pit bull" type dogs. To consider the feelings and instincts of a bird while, at the same time, deny an existing animal -- in fact, an entire multi-breed *type* of dog -- the possibility of a comfortable life seems to me utterly hypocritical and inhumane.

19. Posted by lauren paisley in bristol tennessee:

    I joined peta in 1987 at 14 yrs old when I was forced to dissect a frog in biology. Peta had a great message, to treat animals ethically & kindly. Over the years, I have encountered many people that make fun of me for being a member of PETA because they have done some crazy things, but I have always continued my support. In the last couple of years, PETA members have said/done some really negative "over-the-top" antics, making them extremely counterproductive to the animal rights movement, turning people OFF. I'll admit, in recent times, I have been embarassed to be a PETA member. PETA used to have a great message, what has changed over the years?

20. Posted by Sarah Angello in Vienna:

    Why is it that although PETA is the largest champion for animal rights in the world, you are quick to advocate euthanizing stray animals? Do homeless pets have fewer rights than pigs and chickens?

21. Posted by Delmar Kerfluffish in Provo, UT:

    Animals kill each other in the wild. It's how nature works. As the most evolved of all the animals, why shouldn't we exercise the same privilege?

22. Posted by Rob Jessel in London, England:

    Twice a day, you take insulin that was tested on animals. Isn't that hypocritical?

    Would you prevent one of your children from having life-saving treatment because that treatment had been developed using animal testing?

23. Posted by Luca Zanzi in Allston, MA:

    You have stated in the past that you wish your body to be turned into nuggets and eaten after your death. Is there a particular reason for this? Will there be a signup list?

24. Posted by TT Obaro in Chicago:

    Do you ever feel any guilt and/or responsibility for terrorist acts that have been committed in PETA's name?

25. Posted by Lennon Simpson in Little Rock:

    I wonder how you would respond to accusations that your organization and its affiliates like the ALF put animal rights above human rights. In other words, why are you willing to ignore the rights of your fellow man to further the cause of animal rights. Surely if animals deserve to be free of torment, cruelty and abuse, humans deserve that as well. We are, after all, animals as well.

26. Posted by Melissa Stelter in Madison, WI:

    How do you justify the actions of your employees, namely Andrew Cook and Adria Hinkle, who were convicted of littering after obtaining animals from local shelters, euthanizing them, and subsequently disposing of them in dumpsters? Why do you feel it's preferable that animals should be killed instead of adopted into loving homes?

27. Posted by Jarett Sturdevant in Boise, ID:

    Is it the hopes of PETA that the unusualness of their advertisements and publicity will get their issues in front of people instead of getting buried in the daily humdrum?

28. Posted by STEVEN A BUONO in KINGSPORT:

    I understand that the #2 person in PETA is daibetic and takes animal based drugs to treat it. How do you justify that given PETA's stance on animal based drugs?

29. Posted by Erick Stelter in Madison, WI:

    Should PETA ever succeed in ending our species' practice of killing and domesticating other animals, will it continue its efforts by preventing the killing and domestication of animals by animals other than humans? (For example, ants domesticating aphids and the practice of hunting by carnivores)? If not, what makes humans special that they should limit their options for sustaining themselves? If so, how would you go about ending all animal cruelty without inflicting starvation on animals dependent on the cruelty? If your answer is no because "humans don't need to be engaging in these activities to survive," then would PETA at least seek to end hunting by creatures such as bears, omnivores that don't need meat to survive?

30. Posted by Andrea Kandel in Middletown:

    do you agree with the sentence Michael Vick was given?

    why do you think when people are cruel to animals they do not ever get a punishment that REALLY fits their crime?

    how can we stop animal extinction?

    do you think that pit bills can be rehabilitated and do think that their owners can as well?

31. Posted by Mr. Synylyn in Dennis, AMERICA!:

    How many times have you attacked the farming industry for munching up millions of animals during harvest with their fancy tractors?? HYPOCRITES!! I love cheeseburgers!

32. Posted by Jennie Gartner in Rutland, Vermont:

    What makes PETA think it is less cruel to have women who are not designed for the purpose of produing vast amounts of breast milk than it is to milk cows?

33. Posted by Cole Fairchild in broken arrow, ok:

    first i'd like to thank you for the amazing work you do. what legacy would you like to leave behind when you die?

34. Posted by Susane Hoffman in Jordan, MN:

    When is PETA going to publicly admit that it's real goal is to outlaw ALL pet ownership as well as end all livestock production, regardless if it's done in a responsible and humane way? Please explain how we could possibly feed the world using nothing but vegetarian "approved" foods - where will the land needed be found for that?

35. Posted by Terry Ramsdell in Ann Arbor, Michigan:

    I heard the radio ads of Bill Maher supporting PETA, you have an eclectic group of spokes people from around the world, don't you?

36. Posted by Thomas Booth in Albuquerque:

    As a proud vegetarian for twenty years I wonder if some of PETA's more extreme views and stunts have made animal activism seem less reasonable. Can you help me understand what your goals are?

37. Posted by Rayce Boucher in Portland:

    Why should humans start treating animals better than they treat each other?

38. Posted by Juan Pablo Rivera in New Canaan, Connecticut:

    What do you think of John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin an avid hunter as Vice President.

39. Posted by Brad Jaeger in Kingston, ON:

    How does one one use the word 'Ethical' in their name, when all morality and ethics are subjective and not arbitrary?

    Is it not morally hypocritical that your organization itself kills more than half of the animals it receives, yet you simultaneously have PETA members picket and protest animal shelters which are sometimes left with no other option than to put animals to sleep?

    How can you possibly justify calling Rodney Adam Coronado a "fine young man", while morally looking down upon those that eat meat? Isn't mass arson to R&D university labs far more of a travesty than eating a chicken?

    (Note to Time; I understand my questions are long. Feel free to only select one for brevity if need be).

40. Posted by Bob Freedman in Durham:

    Why are you no different than any other person ala Terrell Owens, or Kim Il Jong who make fantastic and ludicrous statements to garner the media's attention?

41. Posted by Donna Bellamy in Dallas:

    Could you help me understand PETA's position on euthanizing pit bulls? Has your position changed after seeing the success that Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, BAD RAP, and others are having with the rehabilitation of the Michael Vick pit bulls?

42. Posted by Tom Sexton in Morehead, KY:

    As an avid horse racing enthusiast, I tend to disagree with PETA's anti-horse racing stance. However, my question to you is: In the wake of the deaths of race horses like Barbaro and Eight Belles would PETA be willing to work with the industry and try to come up with a solution to making the sport safer for its athletes (the horses)?

43. Posted by alex dabertin in Hartland, WI:

    Why are you against the testing of animals for medical reasons when they have saved so many lives? What good would it do us? While we are not the only important ceatures on Earth we developed these tests and abilities to create medicine as our own way of survival, so why should we stop on account of you? Also would you help an invasive bug that was killing dogs? They're animals too.

44. Posted by George Knox in Nashville:

    Do you eat your PETA's stuffed with lamb and goat cheese?

45. Posted by Kristian B in Bothell, Washington:

    As someone who supports terrorists (indirectly, Rod Coronado example) why aren't you in jail?

46. Posted by Kristian B in Bothell, Washington:

    Have you seen Pen and Teller's episode of their show BullSh*t that covers the topic of PETA, and can you make any logical arguments against any of the points they bring up?

47. Posted by Kristian B in Bothell, Washington:

    How do you justify putting down large numbers of animals in PETA facilities, yet, attack people who work at animal shelters for doing the same?

48. Posted by Bill Watson in Fishers, IN:

    Ingrid, my wife and I are vegetarians and concerned with animal rights. We have donated to PETA in the past, but it seems that PETA makes poor choices in how to highlight the cause of animal rights, seeking any publicity instead of good publicity and painting themselves as radicals that the mainstream cannot relate to. Wouldn't PETA's message be more effective and its concerns be better addressed if PETA first sought to work with animal industries, such as the farming industry, to ensure humane treatment of farm animals rather than calling on Ben and Jerry's to use human milk, a stunt that will have no effect other than further marginalizing PETA and allowing the mainstream public to ignore the very important message hidden behind PETA's bombast and self-righteousness?

49. Posted by Kristian B in Bothell, Washington:

    Does it embarrass you that your organization was once actually helped animals and make true changes become marginalized by logical thinking people because of rampant hypocrisy and nonsensical antics?

50. Posted by Kristian B in Bothell, Washington:

    My last question.

    Why should human beings, designed by nature to be omnivores, ignore our natural diet? Following that, should we force bears and other omnivorous animals to stop eating meat?