Model behaviour

Animal rights was the theme of this week’s episode of Britain’s Next Top Model. The 11 contestants put their skills to the test in provocative campaigns that help to expose the cruelty of fur, animal circuses and bullfighting.

Using influence to inspire change

As part of a collaboration with PETA, the models posed with realistic skinned ‘animals’ for ads reading ‘Here’s the Rest of Your Fur Coat’. In other shots, models took the place of tigers beaten into performing circus tricks and bulls tormented and stabbed to death in bullfighting rings.

‘Top models from Christy Turlington to Pamela Anderson have long used their influence to inspire change for animals.

‘When fashion industry leaders speak up, people listen, and now, the whole world is listening to the women of Britain’s Next Top Model speak out against abusing animals for fur, circuses and bullfights. It’s clear that this year’s competition features not just model contestants but also models of compassion.’

DAN MATHEWS
Vice president of PETA US

Animals and the entertainment industry

Animals on fur farms spend their entire lives confined to tiny, barren cages before being killed by poison, gas or electrocution.

In the bullring, as many as eight men taunt, beat and stab a single bull with daggers and harpoon-like banderillas until he becomes weakened from blood loss and the matador finally kills him with a sword.

When tigers and elephants in circuses aren’t being bullied into performing confusing tricks, they’re kept caged or chained for up to 23 hours a day.

The contestants on Britain’s Next Top Model join a long list of celebrities – including Simon Cowell, Tom Hardy, Rylan Clark, Alexandra Burke and Little Mix – who have teamed up with PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that ‘animals are not ours to wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.’