PETA Offers to Donate Money to Cash-Strapped Philadelphia Orchestra

Upon hearing that the venerable Philadelphia Orchestra has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after incurring a large deficit amid diminishing income, PETA sent a letter to Allison Vulgamore, president and CEO of the orchestra, with an offer that could help the orchestra and animals on factory farms at the same time: Display PETA's pro-vegan ad on the backs of musicians' music stands, and PETA will donate money to help save the orchestra. The ad, which features a photo of a cute pig and reads, "A Vegan Diet Is Music to Animals' Ears. Go Vegan," aims to encourage symphony attendees to think about who's on their plates-for the sake of animals as well as their own health.

"The routine abuse and agonizing deaths of pigs, cows, chickens, fish, and other animals killed for food strikes a sour note with all compassionate people," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Our offer is a win-win solution: It will help the Philadelphia Orchestra continue to produce its internationally acclaimed music and help bring a little harmony into the lives of animals."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

PETA's letter to Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Allison Vulgamore follows.

April 22, 2011

Allison Vulgamore

President and CEO

Philadelphia Orchestra

Dear Ms. Vulgamore,

I am writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and our more than 2 million members and supporters-including thousands across Pennslyvania-with an offer to help ease the Philadelphia Orchestra's financial woes: PETA will make a donation in exchange for placing our ad, which reads, "A Vegan Diet Is Music to Animals' Ears. Go Vegan. PETA," on the backs of the orchestra's music stands. In addition to providing your organization with much needed revenue, our message will help save animals from lifetimes of abuse on factory farms and painful deaths in slaughterhouses and on the decks of fishing boats.

In today's industrialized meat and dairy industries, chickens and turkeys have their throats cut while they're still conscious, piglets have their tails and testicles cut off without being given any painkillers, fish are suffocated or cut open while they're still alive on the decks of fishing boats, and calves are taken away from their mothers within hours of birth. Every Philadlephia Orchestra enthusiast who switches to a vegan diet will save more than 100 animals a year. And because vegetarians have lower rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, our ad would help your patrons enjoy better health so that they can continue attending your shows for many years to come.

We can all live in harmony with animals simply by leaving them off our plates. Please contact me to discuss details. Thank you for your consideration.

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