Radhika Parikh Mr.Russell AP Gov 3/01/2013 Interest Group Project- PETA A.

How it tries to influence policy and the public agenda PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry. They also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds, and other "pests" as well as cruelty to domesticated animals. PETA does not usually attack government legislation. PETA attacks companies, ads and people for mistreatment of animals. They have supported many laws that ban animal cruelty and opposed many laws that allow for animal cruelty PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns PETA targets the legislative branch of the government. It does this by having large sums of people write to their congressman and their representatives B. What is the groups political ideology? Does it favor one political party over the other? If so, does it have a history of supporting certain political candidates? What is it doing to support their favored candidates? PETA is nonpartisan. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization, IRS regulations prohibit us from endorsing a particular candidate or party. They do, however, work with legislators of all party affiliations and recognize the accomplishments of politicians who have helped pass laws protecting animals, regardless of their party. C. How effective is your group in accomplishing its goals? What are its strengths and weaknesses? The U.S. Pork Checkoff (managed by the National Pork Board) conducted four focus groups of children ages 9 to 14 throughout the United States and surveyed an additional 350 children online. More than half of those surveyed had heard of animal rights organizations and almost one fourth of these children reported that these organizations have impacted their meat consumption in some way. There was low awareness of PETA among the children, but it had a high impact on their meat consumption. One-third of respondents had heard of or visited the PETA website,

petakids.com; of those who were familiar with PETA, one-third had seen a video about animal care or meat consumption. 53% said the web site/video impacted their meat eating habits. Another study examined the impact of a graphic animal rights campaign launched by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) against alleged abuses on a corporate farm. It considered the impact of the campaign upon the credibility of the target of the campaign as well as the producer of the campaign. Results indicated that PETAs attack message against abuses at corporate pig farms was effective in eroding the credibility of the corporate food-industry raising animals for consumption. At the same time, PETAs credibility rose overall after participants viewed the PETA attack message. PETAs weaknesses include being part of the no kill movement but euthanizing 85% of their animals PETAs other weakness is so harshly berating those against their message- it really turns people away from their campaign PETA reaches out to children- implanting ideas from a young age PETA also uses popular celebrities to endorse their message

Bibliography - Vegan Soap Box http://www.vegansoapbox.com/is-peta-effective/ (accessed 2/27/2013) - PETA www.peta.org (accessed 2/26/2013)