Latest news with #PETA
The Hindu
21 minutes ago
- General
- The Hindu
Pet animals from landslide-hit Wayanad find new homes in north India
Thirteen pet animals that were rendered homeless in the Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslide a year ago have successfully found new homes in several north Indian States. The Department of Animal Welfare had entrusted People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an international organisation, to rehabilitate 16 pets whose owners had died in the landslides. These include nine cats, five kittens and two dogs. Three of them succumbed to their poor health en route. The remaining 13 were adopted by pet lovers in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, senior director (veterinary affairs) of PETA Mini Aravindan said in a press release. Over 2,700 animals were killed in the landslides. As many as 202 dairy farmers had lost their cattle. More than 230 domestic animals were injured. The ones that were saved were provided with enough food and supplements with the help of private individuals, dairy farmers' organisations and alumni of veterinary colleges.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
French automaker to ditch leather for vegan interiors
A major French car maker has committed to eliminating the use of animal leather interiors across its entire range by the end of the year in a move that will make vegans very happy indeed. While the decision, confirmed by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), will see Renault ditch animal leather options from its global car line-up in a few months' time, it has already stopped offering leather seats and steering wheels to UK customers. 'True luxury is free from cruelty – and Renault understands that. By refusing to work with leather, Renault is helping save animal lives, reduce its environmental impact, and prove that compassion and innovation go hand in hand,' PETA's vice president of corporate projects, Yvonne Taylor, said. The international animal rights organisation estimates the global leather trade is responsible for the death of one billion animals every year. It adds that three cow or bull hides are used per car cabin. But not every car manufacturer is taking this vegan-friendly direction. A PETA study carried out last year listed the brands that currently use leather-alternative materials but also highlighted those sticking with traditional hides. Find out which brands aren't appeasing the vegans below... The animal rights group has taken aim at the motor industry's continued use of leather, claiming it is a highly polluting part of the manufacturing process. While it suggests three cow hides are used for a typically medium-size family car, bigger luxury models can require up to 15 animal skins in total. 'Due to the thicker hides used, non-vegan car interiors tend to have an even worse environmental impact than fashion items made from animal skins,' PETA says. 'Transforming animal hides into leather requires up to 170 chemicals (including cyanide, chromium, and coal-tar derivatives), which are toxic to human tannery workers and poison waterways. One report also linked leather car interiors to illegal land clearing and biodiversity loss,' it added. The organisation noted a range of new Renault models have already axed leather. The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, Symbioz and Rafale all feature seats made from eco-friendly fabrics made with recycled plastic waste from landfill and other recycled textiles. However, vegans in the UK will be pleased to hear that Renault has been selling new cars with sustainable alternative upholsteries for years with a selection of organic and recyclable materials coming as standard. It's only in foreign markets that the French firm still offers animal leather cabins. And Renault isn't the only brand to offer vegan-friendly cabins. Abarth, BYD, Citroen, Dacia, Fiat, Jeep, Mini, Peugeot, Polestar, Smart, Vauxhall and Volvo largely offer leather-alternative interiors across the majority of their ranges, according to PETA's European Vegan Car Interior Survey last year. Tesla failed to respond to the group's request for information, but This is Money can confirm it uses synthetic, high-quality vegan leather across its vehicle line-up. Some BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz passenger cars also have non-animal leather as standard, despite being luxury brands consumers would typically associate with the premium material. That said, no new models are entirely animal product free... For instance, tyres and other interior materials typically contain tallow - rendered animal fat, traditionally from beef or mutton suet, that has been processed to remove impurities and moisture. Other lubricants used in all cars also include animal fat as an ingredient. And some brands utilise obscure animal products in ways you likely wouldn't imagine. For instance, during the painting process of Minis, each car is feather-dusted using female ostrich feathers. Mini says it only uses those that have been shed naturally (which occurs once a year) and they are a 'sustainable tool' to remove traces of dust right before the colour paint layer is applied to guarantee a perfect finish. But some brands are still sticking with leather interiors, including premium marques such as Audi, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Bentley Motors last year became the first automotive member of Leather Naturally - a non-government organisation dedicated to promoting the use of certified, properly-sourced leather as a natural by-product of a responsible circular economy. The move will see Bentley use leathers made from hides that are a by-product of the food industry, therefore supporting a responsible, circular economy. Such materials would otherwise be turned into waste.
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Peta praises Ozzy Osborune for ‘the gentle side he showed to animals'
Perhaps the most notorious of Ozzy Osbourne's outrageous on-stage antics was biting the head off of a bat on stage. So as tributes for the late rocker poured in from around the globe, one stuck out as particularly surprising – from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta). The 76-year-old Black Sabbath frontman's death was announced Tuesday, with his family saying Osbourne – who suffered from various ailments, including a form of Parkinson's disease – 'was with his family and surrounded by love'. Tributes soon poured in for Osbourne from musical world luminaries such as Elton John, Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart … and Peta, the famously strident animal-protection group. 'Ozzy Osbourne was a legend and a provocateur, but Peta will remember the 'Prince of Darkness' most fondly for the gentle side he showed to animals – most recently cats, by using his fame to decry painful, crippling declawing mutilations,' Peta said on its website and social channels. 'Ozzy may have been the singer, but his wife, Sharon, and his daughter, Kelly, were of one voice when it meant protecting animals. 'Ozzy will be missed by animal advocates the world over.' Osbourne had famously partnered with the organisation in 2020 to speak out against the declawing of cats, and lent his face to an ad campaign showing his bloodied hands with the tagline, 'It's an amputation. Not a manicure'. 'Amputating a cat's toes is twisted and wrong. If your couch is more important to you than your cat's health and happiness, you don't deserve to have an animal! Get cats a scratching post – don't mutilate them for life,' Osbourne was quoted as saying at the time. Peta suggests that those looking to protect their pets to seek out 'humane ways to prevent cats from scratching on furniture'. As well as biting the head off a dead bat he believed to be a stage prop in 1982 while performing in Iowa – and later going to hospital for a rabies inoculation – Osbourne also claimed to bitten the heads off two doves during a record label meeting the year before, supposedly having brought them to the meeting to release as a sign of peace.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Not just Renault and Tesla, 6 car brands ditched leather interiors; here's what they are using instead
A leading French car manufacturing brand, Renault, has pledged to completely eliminate animal leather interiors from all its vehicles by the end of this year. The move is most likely to be welcomed by the vegan community. According to the Daily Mail, the decision has been confirmed by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), who will see Renault ditch animal leather options from across its global car line-up in a few months. Moreover, it has already stopped offering leather seats and steering wheels to UK customers. One Billion Animals are Killed Annually for Leather The PETA report reveals that the global leather trade kills nearly one billion animals annually. It takes the hides of three cows or bulls to cover the interior of the standard-sized car. PETA's Vice President of Corporate Projects, Yvonne Taylor, said. "Renault is showing that true luxury doesn't come at the cost of animal welfare." The new Renault 5 E-tech Electric, Symbioz, and Rafale all feature seats that are made of eco-friendly fabrics. After talks with @PETA_France & @PETADeutschland, @renaultgroup pledged to ditch leather by the end of this year 🎉🐮We applaud this compassionate decision & can't wait to see their gorgeous leather-free interiors soon 👏🫶 Not just Renault, but other cars like Tesla and Porsche took part in the initiative According to PETA India, not only Renault but also prominent brands including Tesla, Porsche, and Volvo are also phasing out animal leather in favour of sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives. The shift is driven by growing consumer demand for ethical and eco-friendly vehicles. The report says that these companies are also offering 'vegan' or leather-free interiors, using materials like recycled plastics or polyester. Here's a look at some other brands and their initiatives: Tesla: Tesla is known for its all-electric lineup and has completely embraced vegan interiors by eliminating animal leather from all its models. Porsche: According to The New Indian Express, the brand is currently offering a leather-free interior option in its Taycan electric vehicle, marking a significant step towards sustainability. Volvo: Volvo is focusing on going leather-free across its entire range by 2030, utilising materials like Nordico that incorporate recycled plastics, cork, and other organic materials, reported ET. BMW: BMW's i3, an all-EV sedan, features all door panels and dashboards made from natural kenaf plant fibres and seat cloths made from 100 per cent recycled polyester. Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Benz also uses Artico, a synthetic vinyl-based leather material, in some of its vehicles. Fisker: This car also features a vegan interior made with recycled nets, T-shirts and rubber, as per PETA. Land Rover: While Land Rover uses a wool-polyester blend from Kvadrat in some of their vehicles. (Note: These brands are also offering vegan leather options for customers in a move to utilise synthetic materials like Sensatec and Artico.) FAQs Q. Which Renault models feature leather-free interiors? The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, Symbioz, and Rafale are among the models featuring eco-friendly, leather-free interiors made from sustainable fabrics. Q. What are some of the most important aspects of the design? The automobile has a '5' on the bonnet that shows the vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality, and the charge status (for techno trim and up).
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Renault to stop using leather interiors after talks with PETA
A major French car maker has committed to eliminating the use of animal leather interiors across its entire range by the end of the year in a move that will make vegans very happy indeed. While the decision, confirmed by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), will see Renault ditch animal leather options from its global car line-up in a few months' time, it has already stopped offering leather seats and steering wheels to UK customers. 'True luxury is free from cruelty – and Renault understands that. By refusing to work with leather, Renault is helping save animal lives, reduce its environmental impact, and prove that compassion and innovation go hand in hand,' PETA's vice president of corporate projects, Yvonne Taylor, said. The international animal rights organisation estimates the global leather trade is responsible for the death of one billion animals every year. It adds that three cow or bull hides are used per car cabin. But not every car manufacturer is taking this vegan-friendly direction. A PETA study carried out last year listed the brands that currently use leather-alternative materials but also highlighted those sticking with traditional hides. Find out which brands aren't appeasing the vegans below... The animal rights group has taken aim at the motor industry's continued use of leather, claiming it is a highly polluting part of the manufacturing process. While it suggests three cow hides are used for a typically medium-size family car, bigger luxury models can require up to 15 animal skins in total. 'Due to the thicker hides used, non-vegan car interiors tend to have an even worse environmental impact than fashion items made from animal skins,' PETA says. 'Transforming animal hides into leather requires up to 170 chemicals (including cyanide, chromium, and coal-tar derivatives), which are toxic to human tannery workers and poison waterways. One report also linked leather car interiors to illegal land clearing and biodiversity loss,' it added. The organisation noted a range of new Renault models have already axed leather. The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric , Symbioz and Rafale all feature seats made from eco-friendly fabrics made with recycled plastic waste from landfill and other recycled textiles. However, vegans in the UK will be pleased to hear that Renault has been selling new cars with sustainable alternative upholsteries for years with a selection of organic and recyclable materials coming as standard. It's only in foreign markets that the French firm still offers animal leather cabins. And Renault isn't the only brand to offer vegan-friendly cabins. Abarth, BYD, Citroen, Dacia, Fiat, Jeep, Mini, Peugeot, Polestar, Smart, Vauxhall and Volvo largely offer leather-alternative interiors across the majority of their ranges, according to PETA's European Vegan Car Interior Survey last year. Tesla failed to respond to the group's request for information, but This is Money can confirm it uses synthetic, high-quality vegan leather across its vehicle line-up. Some BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz passenger cars also have non-animal leather as standard, despite being luxury brands consumers would typically associate with the premium material. That said, no new models are entirely animal product free... For instance, tyres and other interior materials typically contain tallow - rendered animal fat, traditionally from beef or mutton suet, that has been processed to remove impurities and moisture. Other lubricants used in all cars also include animal fat as an ingredient. And some brands utilise obscure animal products in ways you likely wouldn't imagine. For instance, during the painting process of Minis, each car is feather-dusted using female ostrich feathers. Mini says it only uses those that have been shed naturally (which occurs once a year) and they are a 'sustainable tool' to remove traces of dust right before the colour paint layer is applied to guarantee a perfect finish. But some brands are still sticking with leather interiors, including premium marques such as Audi, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Bentley Motors last year became the first automotive member of Leather Naturally - a non-government organisation dedicated to promoting the use of certified, properly-sourced leather as a natural by-product of a responsible circular economy. The move will see Bentley use leathers made from hides that are a by-product of the food industry, therefore supporting a responsible, circular economy. Such materials would otherwise be turned into waste. Marc Stang, Bentley's in-house leather expert, said: 'Leather is a timeless, luxury material that has always epitomised the elegance, durability and quality of a hand-crafted Bentley interior. 'It has a rich history that dates back decades in our cars and has always stood the test of time.' Here's a list of brands that told PETA they don't offer vegan-friendly animal leather alternatives in the new models... yet.
