Now that students across the country have gone back to school, Pretty Little Liars and Vampire Diaries star Torrey DeVitto is teaming up with PETA to tackle a tough subject: animal dissection.
In a brand-new ad, DeVitto appears hugging a feline friend next to the words “You Wouldn’t Dissect Her, So Don’t Dissect Anyone!” The ad was shot by top celebrity photographer Robert Sebree.
In an interview, DeVitto explains how she let fear of disappointing her teachers push her into dissecting when she was in school – and how she still regrets it. “I didn’t think I had an option”, she says. “Kids need to know they have the option – they don’t need to be subjected to this. … You can do virtual dissection, which gives them just as much information as dissecting a real cat or frog.” In the interview, DeVitto goes on to encourage students to refuse to dissect, saying, “You’ll feel so much more proud of yourself if you do stand up for what you believe … there’s nothing more valuable than your voice and your own opinions”.
Every year, millions of animals – including cats, frogs, rats, mice and foetal pigs – are dissected in schools and universities. Studies have repeatedly shown that virtual dissection is more effective for teaching biology than cutting up dead animals.
DeVitto is part of a long list of celebrities – including Justin Bieber, Lea Michele, Kellan Lutz and Pink – who have teamed up with PETA and its affiliates to promote kindness to animals.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
