PETA or PeTA is an animal rights organization with a motto that says “animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment”.  The Norfolk, Virginia based animal activist foundation was founded by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco in March 1980.  The two million member non-profit organization employees approximately 300 and operates worldwide.

The organization first came to the attention of people for its work on the 1981 case against research on monkeys conducted by the Institute of Behavioral Research, Silver Springs, Maryland.  PETA battled with the organization for over ten years to take control of several macaque monkeys that were used by the Institute for research and the case was decided by the United States Supreme Court.  PETA is also known for its aggressive media campaigns against large corporations and use celebrities to promote its cause.  Some of the campaigns in the past include 2004 boycott of Australian wool industry and 2011 lawsuit against the SeaWorld for its treatment of orcas.  PETA opposes animal testing and use of animals for production of clothing.

PETA has been criticized by many for its operation of animal shelters.  According to some published reports it euthanizes more than 85 percent of animals.