Elena Waldman

Elena developed an interest in animal rights in high school after she was given a copy of Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation, which encouraged her to combine her passion for writing with her hunger for animal liberation. After graduating from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, she joined PETA’s content team so that she could make a bigger impact for animals while working alongside inspiring, like-minded people. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, skateboarding, thrifting, and adding to her vast collection of vegan skincare and makeup products.

Lolita at Miami Seaquarium

PETA’s Years-Long Legal Battle Over Lolita the Orca Finally Wraps as Plans for Her Release Come to Fruition

PETA’s years-long legal battle on behalf of Lolita the orca has finally wrapped. Here’s how we pushed for her upcoming release to a seaside sanctuary.

monkey tethered surrounded by coconut

PETA to Urge Kroger to Stop Selling Coconut Products Tied to Monkey Labor

Will Kroger do right by monkeys suffering in Thailand’s abusive coconut industry? PETA is confronting the company with a big question at an upcoming meeting.

25 Bears Who Suffered Because of Yellowstone Bear World

Yellowstone Bear World is turning 25 this year, but exploiting bear cubs is nothing to celebrate. Meet 25 bears who suffered because of this hellhole.

Wildlife shot - chimpanzee family on a tree, Gombe/Tanzania

Victory! Walmart Bans Greeting Cards Mocking Great Apes

Walmart, the largest retail company in the world, made a compassionate move for chimpanzees and other endangered great apes.

© iStock.com/guenterguni

mother swan swimming with four of her babies in a Syracuse pond. the mother swan was later killed and eaten

Mother Swan Killed and Eaten During Memorial Day Weekend; 3 Teens Arrested

After police arrested three Syracuse teens for allegedly killing a mother swan, PETA made an urgent plea to schools.

Facebook / Elena Nezhdanova

(left) a cage confining two springhares (right) a tamarin in a cage with a bloody head injury

Mini ‘S’ Exotic Zoo Repeatedly Fails Animals and Incurs Critical Citations

Have you heard that Mini “S” Exotic Zoo exploits and fails animals? Find out why the feds keep citing this hellhole after each inspection.

actor James Cromwell ad on boardwalk

‘Succession’ Actor James Cromwell Takes Over the Boardwalk With a Message for Starbucks

The “Succession” actor has a message for Starbucks and its vegan upcharge: Stop “milking” compassionate customers who choose cruelty-free options.

yellow fish in a coral reef environment

‘The Little Mermaid’ Returns—How YOU Can Help Real Animals Like Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle

The remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is sure to make a splash, so we’re reminding everyone to help real sea animals.

manshee girl suffers fatal breakdown at belmont park

Update! Horse Who Died at Belmont Stakes Was Injured Just a WEEK Prior

PETA has obtained damning e-mails that may unravel the web of lies surrounding the death of Excursionniste—who suffered a fatal breakdown on Belmont Stakes Day.

Students Create Powerful Anti-Speciesist Campaigns for the 2023 Young Ones Student Awards

The 2023 Young Ones Student Awards highlights some of the best design work from students around the globe. Here are some of PETA’s favorite anti-speciesist campaigns.

birds crammed in a filthy shed

Workers Hack at Terrified Birds for ‘Responsible’ Down—PETA Calls Out Gap Inc. for Bogus ‘Ethical Sourcing’ Claims

Gap Inc. claims to sell “responsible” down, but investigations by PETA entities reveal that there’s no such thing. Here’s what we said to the company at a shareholder meeting.

van with puppies inside crashes in Virginia Beach

Video: Van Hauling Puppies Hundreds of Miles in Tiny, Waste-Filled Crates Crashes

Find out what—or who—police found at the scene of a Virginia Beach van wreck, and learn about the reality of online puppy sales.

Brown calf lays in grass

Precision Fermentation Will Save Cows From Factory Farms—but What About Animals in Labs?

Cow-free dairy items are nothing new, but science is revolutionizing the way they’re made. There’s a new approach to dairy in town, and it doesn’t involve the use of soybeans or nuts.

eil lilly forced swim test campaign

AI Is Waging a War Against the Forced Swim Test

PETA’s been winning victories against the cruel forced swim test, and now ChatGPT and other AI tools have also taken the side of animals.

Wildlife shot - chimpanzee family on a tree, Gombe/Tanzania

Victory! Walgreens Says ‘Goodbye’ to Demeaning Greeting Cards of Great Apes

Another retail giant has followed Rite Aid and CVS in banning the sale of greeting cards that mock great apes. Urge Hallmark to follow suit!

© iStock.com/guenterguni