Because other innocent victims of war—dogs, cats, donkeys, and other animals—are dying of starvation, dehydration, and untreated injuries in the Gaza Strip, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk sent an urgent letter this morning on behalf of over 9 million supporters to Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, asking him to please add essential supplies for animals in desperate need to plans for the area.

“Animals don’t wage wars, but they’re victims of them, left to die slowly without food, water, or veterinary attention for grievous injuries,” says Newkirk. “PETA strongly believes that if humans are ever to understand and care about each other, they must recognize the worth, feelings, and needs of other sentient beings, too.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Guterres follows.

November 30, 2023

His Excellency

António Guterres

Secretary-General of the United Nations

Re: Urgent appeal to the United Nations to provide aid to the animal victims of the war in Gaza

Your Excellency:

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters globally, and PETA U.S. is the world’s largest animal rights organization—to address an urgent animal welfare issue: Animals are starving and dying without food, water, or medicine in the Gaza Strip. The human crisis there is dire and well understood, but dogs, cats, donkeys, and other animals—who, like children, are totally innocent victims of a conflict not of their making—are also suffering greatly from a lack of basic sustenance and from injuries. We continue to provide care for and rescue animals in Ukraine, so we know the challenges of wartime only too well. We’re now appealing to you to help animals suffering in Gaza, too.

Many animals are beloved, integral parts of human families, whereas others are still used in involuntary service to humans, and we urge you to consider that they are all sorely affected by this war and in urgent need of help. Many animals in a zoo in Gaza have already died, and others can be seen pacing frantically pending death from starvation and dehydration. Animals need us, as moral agents in a global community, to stand up for them and try to secure their well-being.

We appeal to you to include them in your plans for this troubled area. We ask that the United Nations ensure that relief supplies, including veterinary medical provisions, reach the Gaza Strip. We are aware that the challenges are manifold and include political, social, and logistical aspects. Nevertheless, we appeal for these living, feeling beings and sincerely seek your assurance that animals will be given careful consideration as you plan how to deliver aid to the region.

We stand ready to offer all possible assistance and cooperation and thank you in advance for your consideration of our important request.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid Newkirk

Founder and President, PETA

First Chair on Behalf of All International PETA Entities and Their CEOs

(PETA Asia, PETA Australia, PETA France, PETA India, PETA Netherlands, PETA Switzerland, and PETA U.K.)