PETA president Ingrid Newkirk comes to Pasadena

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PETA cofounder and president Ingrid Newkirk says she hopes her latest book will inspire readers to make compassionate choices to help animals rather than simply painting a bleak portrait of their suffering.

‘I don’t want people to just be depressed when you tell them how animals suffer in the various food and clothing and entertainment industries,’ Newkirk told Pasadena Now. ‘I wanted to point people in the right direction so they can feel good about being kind to animals and can actively participate in being kind.’

Newkirk’s organization is certainly controversial (witness its protest of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show earlier this year, which featured demonstrators dressed as KKK members passing out leaflets that read in part, ‘Like the Klan, dog breeders who subscribe to the AKC standards are all about the sanctity of ‘pure bloodlines.’ ‘) But, according to one reviewer on Amazon, her book takes an approach more friendly than adversarial, offering ‘concise, straightforward information about how animals suffer in the entertainment, clothing, food, experimentation, and ‘pet’ industries; compelling stories; fascinating facts about animals; simple steps to take to stop cruelty; and frequently asked questions.’

In support of the book, ‘The PETA Practical Guide To Animal Rights,’ Newkirk will be making an appearance at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena on Friday at 7 p.m. to sign copies and discuss the topics covered in the book. [Correction: Newkirk’s appearance is Thursday, July 16, not Friday.] Vroman’s is located at 695 E. Colorado Blvd.. (More information at Vroman’s website.)

-- Lindsay Barnett