News Feature | August 12, 2014

PETA To Ratepayers: 'Go Vegan, Get Free Water'

Sara Jerome

By Sara Jerome,
@sarmje

Would you go vegan for a little help with your bills? 

"The water shutoffs in Detroit have gained attention from around the country — including PETA. The organization is offering to pay one month’s water bill for 10 Detroit residents," WWJ reported

In exchange, residents have to stick to vegan eating practices for a month. According to the magazine Vegan, "The word vegan refers to a food or material free from any animal products: no meat, milk, eggs, honey, wool, goose down, or leather. Animal-derived byproducts, from whey to lard to gelatin, are likewise off the table. Vegans typically also go out of their way to avoid cosmetics that are tested on animals."

The campaign is an attempt to draw attention to the large amounts of water required to produce meat. 

WKZO reported: "A statement from the organization says it takes about 25-hundred gallons of water to produce just a pound of meat but only about 155-gallons to produce a pound of wheat." 

PETA already has some takers. 

"I heard about it on the radio," said Leslie Turner, a 46-year-old social worker, to ABC News. "This would be a tremendous help -- it will be one less expense that I have to worry about."

PETA agreed to pay Turner's $147.12 bill. "For Turner, she's happy to eat vegan if it means her bill will be paid," the report said. 

PETA is framing the deal as a win-win for Detroit. 

"Not only will people get their water bills paid, they'll be introduced to a healthy, plant-based diet that will reduce their costs in the long run," a PETA spokesperson told ABC News. 

Want to publish your opinion?

Contact us to become part of our Editorial Community.