Matt Goldsmith -
the Voice of PETA UK’s Website
Matt joined PETA in 2005, and through hard work and determination, he quickly rose through the ranks to become the voice of PETA UK's website. It is a role that – with his love for animals, his desire to tell the world about the abuse that countless animals suffer every day and his background of "tech geekery" – fits him like a glove. As our resident computer geek, he's also our IT boy.
On New Year's Eve 2001, Matt decided that his impact on the Earth and its habitants through his consumption of meat and dairy products and wearing of animal-derived products was a burden that he didn't want to bear. As the new year began, so did a new life for Matt as he made the decision to go vegan.
By networking with other vegans, vegetarians and animal rights activists, Matt soon learnt that there was a growing core of compassionate people all over the world who wanted to make changes. No sooner had PETA advertised that it was looking for a passionate and dedicated person than Matt applied. He hasn't looked back since.
Not only does Matt keep PETA's website looking fresh, he also, as a budding photographer, takes photos at PETA's exciting and visually striking demonstrations. So keep an eye out and let us know if you see any shaky camera work!
Matt will only be content when all the world's cages are opened to release the animals they hold captive and when the world wakes up to the needs of animals everywhere. Oh, and when people know where the "On" switch is on their computer – only then will he take a lie-in.
PETA has issued a statement with several other animal protection groups to announce that none will be participating in Defra’s shamefully biased consultation on the use of wild animals in circuses. Animal Defenders International, Captive Animals Protection Society, Animal Aid, Four Paws and Born Free are all boycotting the consultation, which closes April 25.
Last month, many people were understandably misled by a government statement which declared that “wild animals will no longer be made to perform in travelling circuses”… Read more.
Sitting in a bathtub filled with “blood” with a banner that reads, “Stop the Bloodbath, Dr Cable: Support EU’s Cosmetics Testing Ban”, Victoria Eisermann – ex-Playboy model and female winner of PETA’s 2007 Sexiest European Vegetarian contest – was in full view of the Houses of Parliament today.
The European Commission – under pressure from the cosmetics industry – is considering postponing the 2013 deadline for banning the sale of cosmetics containing ingredients tested on animals, and Dr Vince Cable, UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, has refused to… Read more.
Worried about the environment? If your answer is “Yes”, then we have a great way for you to help slow down climate change and save animals at the same time. Interested? Well, the single most important thing that you can do is ditch animal products from your diet and go vegan!
The livestock production industries are now recognised by the UN as one of the top contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems. An immense strain is placed on our… Read more.
Today, Canada is allowing sealers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to stalk baby seals across the ice, smash their heads in with clubs, ram hooks into their eyes or mouths, and drag them back to the boats, despite the fact that there’s no market for the seal fur. They will also rip the skin off the seals’ bodies while some of the animals are still alive. But you can help stop it – and it can be as simple as taking to Twitter.
(c) Sea Shepherd
… Read more.
PETA’s brand-new billboard showing a meat pie in the shape of a coffin and reading, “Not Ready to Meat Your Maker? Fight Obesity: Go Vegan”, was revealed in Gloucester today. The billboard coincides with the official opening of a new mortuary to accommodate the bodies of people who weigh up to 50 stone.
In addition to causing animal suffering on an unimaginable scale, eating meat, dairy products and eggs has been conclusively linked to obesity, and the only healthy weight-loss plan that has been scientifically proved to take weight off and keep… Read more.
If someone in your office suggested organising a bet on a bullfight, what do you think people’s reaction would be? It would most likely be outrage. After all, how could anyone justify killing animals in the name of entertainment? But that is exactly what will be happening at Aintree on April 14 when the notorious Grand National takes place.
At four and a half miles, it is the longest and most deadly thoroughbred National Hunt race in the world. The Chair, Becher’s Brook and The Canal Turn are among the 30 fences… Read more.
Just in time for Easter, Playboy and cover model Sheridyn Fisher is showing her love for rabbits – and “rabbit food” – by wearing only strategically placed lettuce leaves in a new ad for PETA, which encourages everyone to show compassion for bunnies and other animals by embracing vegetarian meals. In the ad, the lettuce bikini–clad Fisher gives herself lettuce leaf “bunny ears” and grins above the words, “Be a Bunny’s Honey. Go Vegetarian.”
“Easter is the perfect time to help bunnies – and pigs, chickens, cows and other animals –… Read more.
Did you know the Easter Bunny (like all bunnies) is vegan? So it only makes sense for him to want to hand out vegan, cruelty-free chocolate eggs this Easter. Luckily for him (and for you!), there is no shortage of yummy options to choose from:
… Read more.
Charles Saatchi has been quoted as saying that he thinks his wife, celebrity cook Nigella Lawson, should be “coveted”. Well, that’s how we feel, too, after her representative confirmed that contrary to recent media stories, the “Domestic Goddess” won’t eat or use the cruel food product foie gras in her recipes.
Nigella is in excellent company. Sir Roger Moore, Kate Winslet, Ricky Gervais and even Prince Charles have all spoken out against the force-feeding of ducks and geese for… Read more.
PETA will soon begin distributing newly invented chicken-voice translators to factory farmers, slaughterhouse workers and chicken-transport companies that will allow the users to understand chicken “talk”. What they’ll learn is that chickens are intelligent and inquisitive animals who – just like us – want more than anything simply to live.
“Chickens have impressive communication skills”, says PETA’s Poorva Joshipura. “They have more than 30 types of vocalisations to distinguish between threats that are approaching by land and those that are approaching over water, and a mother hen begins to teach these… Read more.
