PETA Launched A ‘Grab A Pussy’ Campaign And Didn’t See The Backlash Coming

PETA has often used controversial tactics to promote animal rights, from provocative advertising campaigns to throwing buckets of blood on fur coats. But its latest campaign is rubbing many people up the wrong way. Following Donald Trump’s 2005 remarks on grabbing women without their permission, the animal rights group has tried to exploit the Republican’s difficulties.

PETA’s latest campaign is supposed to be encourage people to adopt cats from shelters. The image, currently going around social media, features a photo of a cat and the slogan ‘Grab a pussy!’ While the campaign might be well-meaning, social media users are not happy.

Posters for the campaign are supposed to go up on billboards in New York and London in the coming days but the public backlash may prevent PETA from proceeding. Some commentators believe the campaign is insensitive to women and victims of sexual abuse. The timing is also questionable, since more women are coming forward claiming Trump has harassed them.

“PETA takes both issues seriously but the sensationalism of this election has rendered many other important issues invisible,” the group said on Twitter. “We took something hideous and made it into something good. Outrage is not enough, action is everything.”

PETA is hoping the intended humor will encourage people to adopt cats who need homes but the online criticism of PETA’s message and timing may not help the group’s cause.