People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), (NGO) committed to ending abusive treatment of in business and society and promoting consideration of animal interests in everyday and general policies and practices.Newkirk, IngridIngrid Newkirk, cofounder of PETA.(more)PETA was founded in 1980 by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco, who were influenced by Australian ethicist ’s book (1975). PETA’s earliest efforts included exposure of and litigation against and private laboratories that used animals in testing. Gradually the organization began to appeal to industries—such as cosmetics and , which traditionally used animals for extensive and invasive testing of their products—to discontinue animal testing in favor of cruelty-free alternatives. Businesses responded to that appeal. Many cosmetics industry leaders, for example, discontinued the practice of testing products on animals, and more than 500 companies signed a pledge of assurance that they would not engage in animal experimentation. PETA also condemned and helped eliminate the auto industry’s use of animals in crash tests.PETA also targeted other areas of commerce closely associated with animal abuse. The organization’s concern over the misuse of animals for their in the industry, for example, prompted many industry leaders, including , , and , to go “fur-free.” The once-standard use of animals in entertainment, such as in the circus industry, was also reduced. Not only was there tighter legislation, but new industry standards were established by such alternatives as Cirque du Soleil, which did not use animal acts. Other significant changes included rising standards for the treatment of animals by suppliers for fast-food chains and increasing public awareness of the abusive practices of suppliers in countries such as that lacked protective legislation., PETA exposes animals suffering in laboratories, in the food industry, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry., People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA; / ˈ p iː t ə / PEE-tə) is an American animal rights nonprofit organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president..