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I became a vegetarian many years ago when I was finally old enough to control what food I put into my body. Living and working on a farm for many years, I had always felt that eating animals was wrong and that wearing fur or leather was despicable. As a young adult, I came across the PETA organization and was elated to find such a wealth of information and resources, and I was happy that there was an organization out there fighting for all animals.

As I read more about the subject of animal rights and vegetarianism, I heard more and more negative things about PETA and how they were a terrorist organization that killed millions of animals every year. With a little research, I came to the conclusion that most of the arguments against PETA were blatantly false or misguiding half truths.

The fact that PETA is against any kind of animal use or exploitation conflicts with the values of many people because while a person may be against the fur industry, they may be in favor of pet ownership, and although most people don't want animals to suffer, they turn a blind eye to the issue of animal suffering. Nobody likes to think that they are contributing to an animal's pain but when PETA makes a flyer about how cosmetics are rubbed in the eyes of animals or they protest because of how animals are abused in slaughterhouses, it reminds us that we are in fact contributing to the suffering of animals and that is a very uncomfortable feeling. I believe this is the underlying reason why so many people are against PETA.

Of course, some of their tactics don't win them any fans and in some cases, I do believe they go too far. As someone who believes very strongly in both animal rights and human rights, I don't agree with bully tactics of any kind, including throwing paint on people because they're wearing fur; as disgusted as I may be, it is ultimately a person's right to adorn their body with whatever they please. I also disagree with violence or activist events such as bombings that cause people to be injured or lose their lives; this goes against the principle that all life is valuable and is ultimately not conducive to peace.

However, I do understand how PETA sponsors the humane euthanasia of stray animals. If you live in any major city you will know that millions of cats and dogs are put down every year by animal control. The sad fact is that there is not enough space to accommodate the millions of animals that are cast into the street like so much garbage every year and while shelters and other animal organizations work very hard to get these animals adopted; those who are not adopted must be put to sleep to accommodate the next year's wave of discarded animals. I think many people distort this issue and accuse PETA of being hypocritical because they are fighting for animal rights and "murdering" animals behind closed doors. Allowing animals to die humanely and painlessly is the least we can do in the face of this overpopulation crisis. I think the outrage should be directed at irresponsible pet owners and breeders instead of organizations that are forced to have animals put down.

While PETA may go too far at times, I think the good work they do outweighs whatever shocking antics they take part in and I think they should be given credit for their world wide attempts at improving the lives of animals through rescue and education.

Learn more about this author, Rebecca Vargas.
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