PETA Wants Vegan Only at Peppa Pig Theme Park

PETA Advocates for Vegan Menu at New Peppa Pig Theme Park

by Theme Park Magazine

As excitement builds for the opening of a new Peppa Pig Theme Park in North Richland Hills, Texas, later this year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is proactively advocating for a vegan menu at the park’s dining establishments. PETA has reached out to the leaders of Merlin Entertainments and Hasbro Inc., urging them to align the park’s food offerings with the values of its characters by eliminating animal products from the menu.

PETA’s Call to Action

In a letter addressed to Scott M. O’Neil, CEO of Merlin Entertainments, and Chris Cocks, CEO of Hasbro Inc., PETA Senior Director Danielle Katz emphasizes the disconnect between Peppa Pig’s message of compassion and the consumption of animal products at the park. Latz highlights that Peppa’s young fans would be dismayed to find that Miss Rabbit’s Diner serves food derived from animals similar to their favorite characters.

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk insists that Merlin Entertainments and Hasbro “leave the animals in peace, not in pieces.”

“Peppa’s young fans would be horrified to learn that Miss Rabbit was serving meat and milk taken from animals who are loving, playful, and affectionate—just like Mrs. Cow and the other the residents of Peppatown,” Newkirk. “PETA is calling on the theme park to leave animals in peace, not in pieces, by offering a menu of delicious vegan foods that everyone can enjoy.”

Why a Vegan Menu?

PETA’s request is rooted in its overarching mission that “animals are not ours to eat.” The organization claims that pigs, cows, chickens, and other animals are sentient beings with emotions and personalities.

To support its case, PETA is drawing attention to the potential health benefits of a vegan diet. They cite studies linking the consumption of meat, eggs, and dairy to various health issues, including heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes, and obesity. Furthermore, PETA mentions the booming vegan food industry, projected to reach $162 billion in the next decade, suggesting that a vegan menu could attract more visitors to the park.

PETA’s Peppa Pig Theme Park Letter

The letter from PETA to O’Neil and Cocks, dated May 13, 2024, encapsulates their plea for a humane menu. Here is the letter in its entirety:

May 13, 2024

Chris Cocks, CEO
Hasbro

Scott M. O’Neil, CEO
Merlin Entertainments

Dear Messrs. Cocks and O’Neil:

Greetings from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). As PETA’s senior director of campaigns and a mom to a 5-year-old who loves Peppa Pig, thank you for showing the world that pigs aren’t sources of bacon but individuals with emotions and unique personalities. Just as you decided to leave pig flesh off the menu at your Florida theme park, we expect you’ll do the same in Texas, given that pigs are intelligent, playful, and affectionate beings—just like Peppa herself. You clearly recognize the irony of selling pig meat, so why sell products made from other exploited animals like Carol Cow or Mrs. Cow? Just like pigs, cows and other animals are friends, not food.

None of Peppa’s friends or family should be exploited or eaten, so we urge you to serve only vegan foods at your theme parks. Children have a natural empathy for animals and would be horrified to learn that Miss Rabbit’s Diner simply substitutes pepperoni made from pigs with pepperoni made from gentle cows. Surely, Miss Rabbit would never butcher her chicken friends to serve nuggets or take a mama cow’s milk—meant for her babies—to make cheese pizza.

If you leave animals off the menu, you may well find that visitor numbers skyrocket. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, the vegan food industry is projected to hit $162 billion in the next decade. A vegan menu would also be better for your young patrons’ health, since eating meat, eggs, and dairy has been linked to suffering from heart disease, cancer, strokes, diabetes, and obesity.

We hope you’ll respect Peppa and her pals by agreeing to serve only vegan foods at your theme parks. PETA would be happy to help you create a menu that’s ethical, delicious, and aligned with the values of your new establishment. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Danielle Katz
Senior Director

Illustrating the Message

Accompanying its message, PETA revealed an illustration featuring a pig with the text “Pigs are friends, not food! Go vegan.”

New Peppa Pig Theme Park

The new Peppa Pig Theme Park in North Richland Hills, Texas, is set to open later this year. This will be North America’s second standalone Peppa Pig Theme Park, following the first one in Florida. The park is designed specifically for preschoolers and their families, offering a variety of rides, attractions, and interactive experiences based on the popular Peppa Pig children’s show.​ When it opens, the park will have five rides: Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure, Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride, Mr. Bull’s High Striker, and Grandad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride.

PETA has been scrutinizing theme parks lately, including going after parks with animals on carousels.


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