Folks for the Moral Remedy of Animals (PETA) is looking to ax a beloved American custom – and to exchange it with what it calls a “scrumptious” vegan substitution.
The animal rights nonprofit group is looking for to exchange the Groundhog Day tradition with a vegan “climate reveal” cake. PETA introduced the proposal in a information launch on Jan. 20.
“PETA will ship a scrumptious ‘Climate Reveal’ vegan cake every Groundhog Day in perpetuity if [the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club] agrees to let Punxsutawney Phil and his household retire to a good sanctuary, a transfer that can earn the outfit kudos from wildlife followers,” the press launch said.
PETA additionally revealed pun-filled letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Membership, arguing that the groundhog’s annual duties had been “no piece of cake” for him.
“Groundhogs are shy prey animals who, when allowed, actively keep away from people,” the letter detailed. “But, 12 months after 12 months, Phil is transported to Gobler’s Knob, whisked on stage, and subjected to a loud announcer, screaming crowds, and flashing lights in opposition to all his pure instincts.”
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PETA is looking to exchange the Groundhog Day custom with a vegan different. (Getty Photographs / iStock)
“If approached in his pure habitat, he would run away in concern, not volunteer to reside year-round in captivity, unable to do something that’s pure and vital to him like hibernate or burrow – simply to be a city’s once-a-year faux meteorologist.”
In a press release, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk additionally referred to as for Groundhog Day officers to “sprinkle some happiness” into Phil’s life by letting him retire.
“When allowed to be themselves, groundhogs keep away from people, create intricate networks of underground burrows, talk with each other, and even climb timber, however poor Phil is denied all of that for a drained outdated gimmick,” Newkirk argued.
PETA instructed Fox Information Digital that it has not obtained a response from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Membership, and referred to as for the group to develop “kinder, modern” traditions that make animals blissful.
Punxsutawney Phil noticed his shadow throughout Groundhog Day celebration on the Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 2023. (Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Company through Getty Photographs)
“Our letter suggests the groundhog membership display true respect for Phil and set a beautiful instance for the way everybody can transfer past ‘Groundhog’ Day by changing him with a scrumptious vegan ‘Climate Reveal’ cake that revelers can get pleasure from as an alternative choice to exploiting wild animals,” a spokesperson defined. “The time is lengthy overdue.”
PETA has referred to as for Groundhog Day options up to now, together with providing to ship a giant gold coin to exchange the animal in 2024.
Groundhog Day has been celebrated within the U.S. since 1887. 1000’s of observers flock to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, yearly on Feb. 2 to see Phil predict the climate.
Custom dictates that if Phil sees his shadow at dawn and runs away, six extra weeks of winter will observe. Nevertheless, if he has no shadow, spring will arrive sooner.
In 2024, Phil introduced that he didn’t see his shadow, marking a uncommon prediction for an early spring.
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PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA – FEBRUARY 02: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro poses for a portrait with Groundhog handler AJ Dereume and Punxsutawney Phil, who noticed his shadow, predicting a late spring through the 137th annual Groundhog Day festivities on February 2, 2023 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. (Michael Swensen/Getty Photographs)
Fox Information Digital reached out to PETA and the Punxsutawney Groundhog Membership for remark.
Fox Information Digital’s Ashlyn Messier contributed to this report.
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