The PETA jerks (that's the nicest word I can come up with) have a vile new advertising campaign, comparing meat growing to Nazi concentration camps. I truly despise these people, and one of the main reasons is because of the damage they've done to a cause that I have always supported.

PETA has arguably increased cruelty to animals. How so? By distracting people with ridiculous and pointless debates. And by provoking a hostile backlash. Normally thoughtful and decent people react so strongly against PETA vitriol, and the asinine concept of animal "rights," that they make it much too easy to forget that there is a real moral issue here. Cruelty toward animals is simply not acceptable behavior. PETA makes it easy for us to forget that. I even suspect that some jerkwads are actually more prone toward animal cruelty just in backlash against PETA's stupidity.

The press is equally to blame, by giving PETA so much attention. Whenever PETA has a new outrageous advertising campaign, news organizations around the nation publicize it. Worse, when there's a case of animal cruelty that makes the news, they sometimes go to PETA looking for a quote, which is gross journalistic stupidity.

There is another organization, a much older, larger, and more responsible organization they could go to. One that's been around for almost 150 years. One that's gotten all sorts of responsible legislation passed, and continues to lobby for much-needed reforms. One that's had a direct, measurable, and substantial impact on the lives of suffering creatures. One that runs shelters to help abandoned and abused animals. One that practices humane euthenasia, and educates people on proper care of animals. One that, in short, is everything that PETA should be but isn't.

So let's remember the real people who've made a difference in a worthy cause: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and their affiliated organizations. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does great work in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the British Commonwealth. Canadians may want to check out these Canadian SPCA pages, and I'd certainly like to hear about other such organizations in other countries.

Bottom line: PETA hurts animals. If you want to support an organization that really helps animals, remember the SPCA. They're the real deal.