Bee Good

Growing up, Ingrid Newkirk thought being kind to animals meant not kicking her dog or tying firecrackers to a cat. At the same time she “was eating her way through the animal kingdom”. There were no major animal activists to look up to. Little did Newkirk suspect that she would one day become the founder of  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the largest animal rights organization in the world.

Me with author and PETA President Ingrid Newkirk!

Speaking to a packed crowd at the Borders in NYC’s Time Warner Center, for her new book The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights, an eloquent and jovial  Newkirk emphasized the importance of being an animal advocate. “Speaking up against animal cruelty shouldn’t be embarrassing. What should be embarrassing is supporting animal testing or going to a seafood restaurant and asking someone to be cruel to another living being for your food.” She also stated that most people have the best of intentions and, as advocates, we should bear in mind that “most people want to be kind. They don’t want to be cruel.” 

Newkirk’s book includes stories that illustrate the personalities of various animals (including fish!!) to help show the reader how animals are “just like us in so many ways. They amuse themselves. Entertain themselves….. Humans are so desperate to find something that makes us superior, yet we cannot begin to compare to triumphs of animals in their natural habitats” In addition, The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights provides facts and resources ranging from diet, to cruelty-free cosmetics and clothing, to getting legislators to listen. “People DO listen. It takes awhile for it to sink in, but they DO listen.” 

The evening concluded with a beautiful montage of various animals in their natural habitats followed by a reading from the book.

I personally loved every minute of the evening and I feel like I finally understand what is at the core message of  Ingrid Newkirk and PETA: “You MUST speak up for the animals. No one else can do it for them.  You don’t need to protest or throw  a demonstration. What is important is that you speak your heart’s truth.”

From my heart to yours PLEASE pick up a copy of The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights today and become a voice to the voiceless!