As we all know by now, fish are pretty smart. They have long-term memories, can use tools and are interesting individuals, just like dogs and cats.

A load of complaints have been pouring in from members of the public about the goldfish on channel Five’s chat-show The Wright Stuff. They sit in a small bowl with no stimulation, and are clearly there for ‘decoration’ purposes. Not to mention it must be stressful being surrounded by stage lights and the general noise you get on a TV chat show.

The science on fish intelligence and their need for social stimulation is so clear that Switzerland has just banned keeping solitary goldfish as ‘pets’, as did Rome a few years back. Picture it like this: to keep a fish in a tiny bowl for his or her entire life is like shoving your dog in a closet and never letting him out.

Here’s the letter that got sent this morning and what Yahoo had to say about it.

23 May 2008

Nick Vaughan-Smith, Series Editor
The Wright Stuff
Channel 5 News

Dear Mr Vaughan-Smith,

PETA is an international non-profit organisation with more than 2 million members and supporters dedicated to the protection of animals. We have received complaints about the live goldfish contained in a small bowl on the reporter’s desk during The Wright Stuff on Channel 5. We are writing to ask you to please consider the following information and find this goldfish a more suitable permanent home in a large tank with places to hide and explore for stimulation.

Goldfish might be small and somewhat alien to us, but I’m certain you’ll agree that they are worthy of care and respect. Goldfish have personalities and abilities that most people don’t know about. For example, they have interesting ways of communicating with each other, forming bonds and grieving when family members and companions die. When confined to toxic enclosures without proper filtration, fish are often poisoned by their own waste, which results in slow and painful deaths. I have enclosed a news article that includes findings from studies showing that fish have feelings and feel pain. The article also encourages people to consider the welfare of fish in the same way that they would consider the welfare of other animals.

All too often, fish and other animals are considered nothing more than expendable commodities and their deaths are caused by inadequate handling and treatment. The city of Rome and entire country of Switzerland have banned keeping goldfish in bowls because the containers do not meet the animals’ needs, and as one sponsor of a similar law in Monza, Italy, pointed out, bowls give fish “a distorted view of reality”. We hope that you agree that no animal deserves to be robbed of their natural habitat and forced to endure a life of endlessly swimming around in the same few cubic inches of water.

We urge you to make The Wright Stuff a more compassionate place for animals and viewers alike by removing the goldfish from the program and finding the fish a permanent home with companions, lots of room to swim around, a working air tank to provide oxygen, a filter to remove waste and places for the fish to hide and explore.

So that we can inform those who have contacted us with concerns, can we please hear from you? Thank you for your consideration of this very important matter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Bruce Friedrich
Vice President
International Grassroots Campaigns

Enclosure: “Goldfish Have Feelings, Too, Say Fish Researchers”, The Sunday
Times, 28 May, 2006

Image: BBC / CC

When I was over in the US last Summer, I hung out with a giant carrot. His name was Chris P. Carrot and his job at PETA US is to encourage kids and adults alike to eat their veggies and not their friends. Here I am with him at a baseball park in Virginia (oh by the way, baseball isn’t a patch on football) – don’t we look cute together?! Our photo was even featured in Animal Times.

Anyway, I just heard that Chris P. Carrot has got married. To a seven-foot pea pod, no less. I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing them luck in their long life together. Ahem. Funny stuff aside, the mascot does a great job of informing children about the healthy and humane vegetarian lifestyle.

The lovely people at The Times are suggesting readers go vegetarian for the week. At the risk of sounding like a six-year-old – yesssss. They’ve even included a link to the top ten veggie restaurants in London, including Manna, Mildred’s, Pogo Café and The Gate.

The day wouldn’t be complete without a mention of how Fraser Lewry is getting on with his vegetarian quest this week, and it does appear – don’t quote me on this – that he might even be enjoying it.

Don’t forget to submit a recipe to be in with a chance of winning some veggie food – last entry Sunday.

As you know, the race is on for celebrities across the UK, Hollywood and around the world to battle it out for the ‘World’s Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity’ title. Names like Russell Brand, Kristen Bell, Joaquin Phoenix and Leona Lewis are on the list to reach the top spot – but all in the name of fun of course. We love ‘em really. The poll had barely gone live when rom-com Forgetting Sarah Marshall stars Kristen Bell and Russell Brand surged to an early lead, but there’s still time to vote for your favourites. Who will they be?

Image: Realbuzz / CC

You’ve probably heard that Lindsay Lohan is reported to have stolen a fur coat, for which the apparent second owner (the first being the animal of course) is suing her. So, PETA US being the logical beings that they are, sat there and thought ‘Hey, this coat doesn’t belong to Lindsay Lohan or the girl she allegedly stole it from (Masha Makova). This beautiful skin belongs to the animal that was killed for it.’ Check out the e-mail that was sent to Masha, at The PETA Files.

Image: 411Mania / CC

This morning, our Managing Director, Ingrid, sent a letter to all members of Parliament asking them to introduce a law like the new Swiss one you might remember me telling you about. It states that prospective adopters of cats, dogs, birds and other companion animals must demonstrate their ability to properly care for animals by first taking a course and passing an exam. Which is only fair really.

Here’s what Ingrid said:

“The UK is supposed to be “a nation of animal lovers”, yet we now seriously lag behind other EU countries when it comes to our animal protection laws.

The law in Switzerland, which would be a good starting point for a new law in the UK, requires anyone who wishes to acquire a dog to take a course and pass an exam. The law has similar requirements for other animals, including a requirement that guinea pigs and budgies must have companionship, since they are, of course, highly social animals.

Such a law in the UK could not be timelier. The latest reports show that the number of abandoned dogs, cats and other companion animals rose by almost one-quarter last year, and animal shelter workers warn that the upward trend is likely to continue. Anyone who has ever worked or volunteered at an animal shelter knows that many people casually acquire animals and then discard them like rubbish, and recent pet purchases by high-profile celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears have exacerbated this sad trend.

Of course, every abandoned animal is a tragedy and a betrayal, but this growing trend accentuates a larger problem: That people are growing up not knowing how to care for animals, and they don’t think about the commitment that such a responsibility entails.

Legislation that emulates Switzerland’s new law requiring some basic knowledge for anyone who wishes to acquire a companion animal – whether a cat, a dog, a rabbit, a fish or any other animal – as well as some basic species-specific requirements about physical and psychological stimulation would be supported by all kind Britons and people all over the world who care about animals.”

Everyone’s favourite talk-show host is ditching all animal products, plus a whole load of other health nasties like caffeine and alcohol, for three weeks. To use Oprah’s very own words – ‘wow, wow, wow!’

After reading Quantum Wellness by Kathy Freston, Oprah is cutting out meat, fish, dairy and eggs, and giving the healthy and humane vegan diet a test-run. Her and her friends have been trying out some tasty meals and she has this to report, “Wow, wow, wow! I never imagined meatless meals could be so satisfying.”

You can keep up with Oprah’s journey on her blog. This is so exciting! Well done Oprah, keep up the good work. Want to give it a try yourself? Take the 30-day veg pledge!

Image: TimesSquareGossip / CC

Now that I’ve caught your attention, I want to talk about vegetarianism. We’re on Day 3 of World Vegetarian Week, and it’s important… oh sod it. Just enjoy the video. But promise me you’ll pay special attention to what Alicia Silverstone is saying, not just what she’s doing. Thanks for playing.

Oh and before I finish up this entry, two final points:

Check out this great post on the Guardian food blog Word of Mouth.

Fraser Lewry (remember the meat-addict giving up animals for the week?) has been ‘clean’ for three days now, give him your support here!

Iceland is storming headfirst down the same controversial path of the Japanese, starting this year’s whale slaughter yesterday. Without much regard for the country’s image it would seem. Even the country’s foreign minister warned that, “I believe this is sacrificing long term interests for short term gains, despite the quota being smaller than in previous years.”

40 minke whales will be killed in this year’s slaughter, despite the whalers asking for quota of 100. Sure, the current number is somewhat better, but I think we all agree with the British government department Defra when they say, “We would like to make clear our country’s opposition to this unnecessary, inhumane operation, and urge the government of Iceland to reconsider its position and reverse its decision.” Read more at the BBC.

The Queen was given a royal welcome yesterday when she attended the VIP day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Our PETA bear tells us that he’s sure the Queen and other members of the Royal Family saw him – well, who could miss a big, fluffy bear holding a ‘God Save The Bears’ sign at the entrance to this world-famous horticultural event. Such a beautiful and peaceful occasion; perfect for reminding the Queen and her devotees of the horrific plight of black bears that are killed for the Guards’ ceremonial caps.