Saratoga County Man Is a Finalist in PETA’s Sexiest Vegan Next Door Contest

Motorcycle and Karate Enthusiast Refuses to Eat Animals Because They ‘Have Families and Feel Pain Just Like Humans Do’

For Immediate Release:
April 18, 2013

Contact:
Kaitlynn Kelly 202-483-7382

Saratoga County, N.Y. — PETA’s Sexiest Vegan Next Door 2013 contest is down to the wire, and 26-year-old Jared Palermo, who grew up in Charlton and now lives in Malta, both in Saratoga County, could take home the grand prize. That’s because Palermo has beaten out more than 100 other entrants from across the U.S. to become one of 10 male contestants to advance to the final round. Two lucky winners (one male and one female) will each receive a free vacation for two to Maui, Hawaii, courtesy of HumaneTrip.com. Although the annual contest dates back to 2004, this is the first year that participants must be vegan.

“Going vegan can help make you feel better on the inside, look better on the outside, and save more than 100 animals a year from the violence of factory farms, slaughterhouses, and fishing nets,” says PETA Associate Director of Campaigns Lindsay Rajt. “On average, vegans are fitter and trimmer than meat-eaters are, and that makes them sexier, too.”

Palermo went vegan seven years ago because he wanted to improve his health and also because he recognized that animals are “intelligent creatures who also have families and feel pain just like humans do.” Now working for Motive Company—an all-vegan clothing business famous for its shirts, with slogans such as “I’m a Wheat and Potatoes Kinda Guy”—Palermo utilizes the often-reported boost in energy he felt after going vegan by working out at the gym, studying karate, and going snowboarding or skateboarding every chance he gets. In fact, he’s so sold on beating the meat, dairy, and egg habit that he used his position as resident advisor at SUNY–Oneonta to educate other students about the benefits of going vegan and even persuaded a 61-year-old coworker to give it a try. Always on the move, Palermo also enjoys motorcycles, traveling, and going to concerts.

Voting for the finalists to help PETA determine the winners ends at 12 noon EDT on May 3. PETA will select winners based on several factors, including vote count. See full contest details here. Winners will be notified and announced by May 9.

For more information and to cast your vote, please click here.