Is PETA a Killer?

How effective are the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals? Although the charity grabs headlines for its celebrities-in-the-buff advertisements, it was reported that last year 96 percent of the animals taken to the Virginia headquarters were euthanized. Although some of the pets were in extremely poor health, “unsocialized,” or aggressive, adoptable animals that were not able to find homes were among the 2,124 put to sleep. Only seven were placed in homes. “We are doing the dirty work that others won't,” said the vice president for cruelty investigations. “We are proud to be a shelter of last resort that takes in old broken animals and gives them a humane end.” The group has a $32 million annual budget—most of which funds its high-profile campaigns against the meat and fur industries.