Jennifer O'Connor

Jennifer O'Connor

Jen lives with her bulldog, Arthur, who was rescued from a Pennsylvania puppy mill. She enjoys reading, happy hours, and hot weather and is learning how to speak Spanish.

Victory: Zoo Discontinues Elephant Rides

wwarby | cc by 2.0 Great news: After more than a year of pressure from PETA, the Animal Protection and Rescue League, Animal Defenders International (ADI), and celebrities—including Charo and Switched at Birth star Constance Marie—the Santa Ana Zoo in California has announced that it will discontinue cruel and dangerous elephant rides. This is a … Read more »

Don’t Buy a Ticket to ‘We Bought a Zoo’

© Zebra: deste / sxc.hu | Ribbon: Elize / sxc.hu Fading director Cameron Crowe is using wild animals as “actors.” In his new movie, We Bought a Zoo, he used lions, bears, and other wild animals who are at great risk for abuse because of their strength and instinctive aggression. PETA repeatedly reached out to … Read more »

Ringling Risking More Violations?

River Beach | cc by 2.0 On the heels of the record $270,000 penalty paid by Feld Entertainment—the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus—PETA is renewing our call for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to deny the company’s application to import eight tigers and a leopard in violation of … Read more »

Another Horse Drops in NYC

Update: Another horse collapsed in Hemet, California, after participating in a Christmas parade. The horse—who is now recovering—got spooked and took off down the street, running over the driver and striking light poles and parked cars before collapsing. The following posted 12/5/2011 Another horse pulling a carriage fell to the street in New York City … Read more »

Circus Cancels Shows Over No-Shows

D’Arcy Norman | cc by 2.0 Never doubt the power of your pocketbook: The Piccadilly Circus, which is currently touring California, is canceling performances left and right, reportedly because of low ticket sales. PETA’s complaint to California officials about the circus’s cruel kangaroo boxing show – which authorities in the state consider illegal – may … Read more »

Horse Slaughter to Start Again in US

chedder | cc by 2.0 After a 5-year hiatus, Congress has restored funding for U.S. inspectors to oversee horse slaughter, opening the door for horses to be killed and butchered in the United States for the first time since 2006. No one wants to see any horse killed for meat or to turn a fast … Read more »

Update: Oregon Zoo Director Out of a Job in Wake of Baby-Elephant Barter Scandal

The director of the Oregon Zoo is history—and so is the terrible deal that she made with a notorious outfit caught on tape beating elephants.

No Freedom at Seaworld

Independence Day is a day to celebrate America’s freedoms, so why would the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) swear in new citizens at SeaWorld—a place that exemplifies the lack of freedom? PETA has fired off a letter to the director of CIS pointing out the irony of holding this joyous occasion where orcas and dolphins … Read more »

Decapitating Snakes Is ‘Fun’?

Every March, young women in Sweetwater, Texas, vie for the title of Miss Snake Charmer at the annual rattlesnake roundup. 

© iStock.com/milehightraveler
Another Dead Orca at SeaWorld

Another day, another death at SeaWorld. The latest casualty is a 25-year-old orca named Kalina who died yesterday at the theme park’s Orlando location, far short of most orcas’ expected 50- to 60-year life span. As usual, SeaWorld will likely try to keep this death on the down low. Kalina spent two and a half … Read more »

Another Orca Dies at SeaWorld

The death toll continues to rise at SeaWorld with the passing of a 12-year-old orca named Sumar at the theme-park chain’s San Diego location. Sumar died far short of the expected 50-to-60 year lifespan of orcas who roam the vast oceans, his rightful home. Whatever caused Sumar’s death (and let’s hope that there will be … Read more »

Matisyahu’s Take on Israel’s Proposed Fur Ban

What do reggae star Matisyahu, the Israeli government, and fur have in common? The compassionate Jewish singer, who recently became vegan because of his disgust toward factory farms and to strictly adhere to Torah principles, has written a heartfelt letter on behalf of PETA to Israeli government leaders urging them to support a bill currently … Read more »

Mother and Baby Orca Die at SeaWorld

Wild animals are dying because of human avarice, but unlike the plight of those who are perishing in oil, the carnage at SeaWorld can easily be stopped. An orca named Taima died this weekend while giving birth to a stillborn calf at SeaWorld Orlando. The baby was conceived by Tilikum, the angry and frustrated orca … Read more »

GET PETA UPDATES
Stay up to date on the latest vegan trends and get breaking animal rights news delivered straight to your inbox!

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.

Get the Latest Tips—Right in Your Inbox
We’ll e-mail you weekly with the latest in vegan recipes, fashion, and more!

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.