PETA's Newest Spokesperson: Octomom

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2010-03-25 13:58:00 UTC
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In a merger of two of the most notorious fame-seekers in the news, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has teamed up with "Octomom" Nadya Suleman for a spay/neuter campaign.

PETA caught wind that Suleman was facing foreclosure, so they offered her $5,000 and a year's supply of veggie dogs for her entire brood if she agreed to put a sign in her front yard that says: "Don't let your dog or cat become an 'octomom.' Always spay or neuter."

For an organization that claims to be anti-exploitation, PETA is famous for exploiting women. And Octomom is known for happily exploiting herself. But there's something shady about swooping in right when someone is in danger of losing her house with an offer to mock herself for money. Know who else thought this was a good idea? A porn company that offered to pay off her mortgage if she starred in a hard core film with eight guys.

In the letter to Suleman, which was published by the Orange County Register, PETA says "When you gave birth to octuplets to bring your total number of children to 14, you grabbed headlines and got the world talking about your controversial decision. Now will you help turn some of that attention to another important matter — the dog and cat overpopulation crisis?"

In some ways, it's not a surprising development. It's not like PETA was the only one to look at Octomom and draw the connection to a litter of puppies or kittens. But does this attention-grab really get the message across or is it just turning the spay/neuter campaign into a farce?

Photo credit: marcus_in_ny

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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