’Bluey’ Nabs PETA Kids Award for Heartwarming Episode About Being Kind to Bugs

For Immediate Release:
January 25, 2024

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

PETA Kids is honoring the popular animated children’s television series Bluey, which airs on Disney+ in the U.S., and creator Joe Brumm with its Bug Bestie Award for teaching kids everywhere to have empathy for bugs—who, just like us, don’t want to be squished and have “a mummy and daddy who would miss them”—in the Season Three episode “Slide.”

In the episode, Bingo and Lila’s fun time on a backyard waterslide comes to a screeching halt when they notice a leaf bug crossing the slide and stop themselves so they don’t squish her. They gently move her out of harm’s way into the grass but are again interrupted—by a ladybug, followed by ants, and finally a grasshopper. After deciding that they would feel bad if they squished any of the bugs, Bingo and Lila decide to play “bug inspector,” with one making sure that the slide is clear before the other takes a turn—but they have to act fast to save a caterpillar when Bingo’s dad, Bandit, rushes down it. Later, the rescued caterpillar is shown turning into a butterfly and landing on Bingo and Lila’s joined hands.

“With their compassionate actions, Bingo and Lila demonstrate that it’s not trifficult to show consideration for even the smallest beings among us,” says mom and PETA Director of Animals in Film and Television Lauren Thomasson. “PETA applauds this episode’s kind message and encourages kids and parents everywhere to remember that every bug is someone who deserves kindness.”

PETA Kids notes that little animals like ants, spiders, beetles, ladybugs, bees, and caterpillars just want to go about their business and don’t mean us any harm, so it’s important to respect them and let them live. The group offers fun facts about bugs and lists several ways to help them, including tips for carefully escorting them from inside the home to the outdoors, on its website.

PETA Kids—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETAKids.com or follow the group on Facebook or Instagram.