People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals. PETA operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment.

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 laboratories, in the fur trade, and in the entertainment industry. We also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds and other "pests," and the abuse of backyard dogs.

PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and direct action.

PUBLIC OUTREACH & EDUCATION - Conduct issue-oriented educational campaigns and events and publish materials which are distributed to students, teachers, the general public and supporters. Publications include topical booklets and fact sheets, campaign reports, a quarterly magazine, Animal Times, and a bi-annual magazine for children, GRRRR.

RESEARCH, INVESTIGATIONS & RESCUE -Receive complaints of cruelty to animals, investigate cases, gather evidence of violations, prosecute animal absuers, animal rescue, take actions such as petitioning government agencies to enforce laws & regulations that could protect the animals concerned.

INTERNATIONAL GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGNS - Organize campaigns to inform the public about how animals are abused in various places, such as the food, clothing, testing, and entertainment industries. Organize at the grassroots level to encourage respectful treatment of animals and to promote alternatives to every animal use.

CRUELTY-FREE MERCHANDISE PROGRAM - Encourage and facilitate cruelty-free living by offering household cleaning and animal care products which are not tested on animals, message t-shirts, educational videos and books, etc.

COMPANION ANIMALS ISSUES -Provide education and information on issues related to companion animal care and issues such as puppymills and overpopulation. Provide resources for weather and other companion animal issues in and around the local area of Hampton Roads, Virginia. Manage SNiP- Mobile program (Spay and Neuter Immediately, Please) a mobile sterilization clinic that travels to low-income areas and local animals shelters to provide low-cost spay and neuter surgeries. In the first year of the program, more than 2,500 animals were spayed or neutered.

PETA president and cofounder Ingrid Newkirk has led the world's largest animal rights organization for more than 25 years. Her passion and dedication to making this world a better place for all living beings has inspired countless others to do what they can to help animals.

Ingrid and PETA believe that animals deserve the most basic rights—in particular, consideration of their own best interests regardless of whether they are useful to humans. Like humans, they are capable of suffering and have interests in living their own lives. Therefore, they are not ours to use—for food, clothing, entertainment, experimentation, or for any other reason.

Read the Ingrid Newkirk biography for more information on Ingrid's life, and watch the videos below to hear Ingrid discuss in her own words her work for animals and what you can do to make a difference.