PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is the largest animal rights organization in the world. It was founded in 1980 in Norfolk, Virginia by Alex Pacheco to advocate for animal rights. PETA focuses on factory farming, laboratories, the clothing trade, and the entertainment industry - areas where large numbers of animals suffer intensely for long periods. Ingrid Newkirk currently serves as president of PETA, which has over 1.8 million members and raises over $25 million annually to fund programs fighting animal exploitation.
