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Johns Hopkins Magazine: Alternate Viewpoint

This letter to the editor was published in Johns Hopkins Magazine’s spring 2022 issue.

In response to American Humane’s “No Animals Were Harmed” catchphrase, I’d offer another: There are two sides to every story. American Humane touts heartwarming tales about dogs being reunited with their guardians or movie-star tigers gallivanting into the sunset as the core of their work. In reality, however, their Hollywood and farmed animal certification programs are marketing efforts that belie the extent of suffering or illness behind the products they certify.

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The Sandpaper: Destined to Die

My letter to the editor was published by The SandPaper. July 24, 2019 To the Editor: We’ve all seen the colorful shells, painted with football team logos and cartoon characters. Thousands of kids will head home from their summer vacations at the beach with one in tow, a tiny trinket reminding them of sunny days and Read More

Esther the Wonder Pig - Rescue

One Green Planet: How Esther the Wonder Pig Helped Save the Lives of 10 Pigs from North Carolina

This article was originally published by One Green Planet. (By Laura Lee Cascada) We all know and love Esther the Wonder Pig, the “micro pig” who fell into the arms of Canadian couple Derek Walter and Steve Jenkins and then kept growing, and growing, and growing. At 650 pounds, today she fills Facebook, Instagram, and Read More

Who Is The Real Enemy In The Euthanasia Battle?

The Dodo: Who Is the Real Enemy In the Euthanasia Battle?

(This post was written for The Dodo.) In Virginia’s General Assembly, a seemingly innocuous bill is poised to change the definition of an animal shelter under state law. If enacted, Senate Bill (S.B.) 1381 will require that private shelters operate for the basic purpose of “finding permanent adoptive homes” for animals. With nearly 3 million Read More

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CounterPunch: What if Your Backyard Was a Slaughterhouse?

(The below comment piece originally appeared on CounterPunch and was then picked up by the Ecologist.) When I was growing up, a popular show on television ventured into the unique backyards of kids across the country who lived adjacent to theme parks, chocolate factories, and any other imaginable delight under the sun. I wanted more than Read More

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Video: Horse in Carriage Industry Escapes, Runs Loose in Manhattan

(The following post originally appeared on PETA’s blog.) A horse who is forced to pull carriages through New York City’s congested, noisy streets bolted over the weekend while being bathed on the sidewalk, raced up 11th Avenue in Manhattan with police cars in pursuit, and shocked pedestrians and motorists who were looking on. An eyewitness, Jonathan Read More

Plight of the Hermit Crabs

One Green Planet: The Plight of the Hermit Crabs

(The below piece was written by me for One Green Planet, where it originally appeared.) Every year around this time, shops lining the beach city boardwalks fill their familiar wire cages with curious critters. Tourist children ogle as golf-ball sized crustaceans cling to the wires, and to one another, with hairy purplish legs and almost menacing, if not so Read More

Lettuce Ladies in the Polar Vortex

Why I Donned a Lettuce Bikini During the Polar Vortex

This month, temperatures plunged to record-breaking low levels in Virginia. During our 18-degree weather in the region’s “polar vortex” I joined a colleague of mine in a lettuce bikini to hand out free veggie burgers downtown in Norfolk. The Virginian-Pilot was nice enough to send out a shivering reporter to cover our adventure, although he did Read More

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Sentience and Speciesism

(An article written for my college newspaper, the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jacket, in 2009) Most people believe that animals can feel pleasure and pain. We shower our dogs and cats with love, affection, and even birthday gifts, eager for a tail wag or sloppy kisses in return. Conversely, we’re overcome with guilt when our busy feet happen Read More

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Mary Matalin Fights “Ag-Gag” Bills

While working at PETA, I composed the script for the below video that was narrated by Republican strategist (and self-confessed meat-eater) Mary Matalin, who appealed to fellow conservatives in states around the country that were considering “ag gag” bills – bills that, if enacted, would ban the filming of horrific, often illegal abuses on factory Read More

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Chained Protesters and Caged Woman Converge at Ringling Bros. Circus

(This media release resulted in coverage in local outlets including the Richmond Times-Dispatch.) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       February 19, 2013 Chained Protesters and Caged Woman Converge at Ringling Bros. Circus Richmond, VA–-The circus is coming to Richmond, but for the stars of the show—the animals—it’s not just fun and games. To draw attention to Read More