SV: How did you get your start with peta2? Is this a cause you have always been passionate about?
Pulin: I've always been interested in human rights and environmental causes but didn't grow up around animals. Yet when I realized that there were more than 1 million animals slaughtered every hour for people to eat and saw videos and photos of this cruelty, it got me thinking. It's totally absurd that this level of violence exists for a mere food preference, and it's ruining the environment and our health in the process! So I went vegan before my last year of high school and stayed really active all through college. I spent time on the Warped Tour with peta2 during our first year out there in 2002. I enjoyed the experience and felt really effective talking to so many people, so I have stayed with the organization since then.
SV: In your opinion, what is the best way for young people to get involved with their causes?
Pulin: The best way to get involved is to educate yourself about the issues and talk to people to inform them too. Whether it's online, at a show, during a school presentation, or stopping a random stranger in a dark alley (just kidding—please don't do that last one!), it's essential to get the conversation going. When it comes to animals, for instance, most people have no idea that seals and other animals killed for their fur may have had their skulls smashed in, that chickens often suffer from broken wings and legs before being slaughtered, and that every dog bought from a breeder or pet store means certain death for another at an animal shelter. When compassionate people find out about any cruelty, they are genuinely interested in finding out about how they can help.
Inside the bunny costume with some peta2 fans.
SV: What book do you think every person should read?
Pulin: I highly recommend Animal Liberation by philosopher Peter Singer. It basically explains the reasoning behind why everyone who cares about stopping injustice should also care about animals' interests in being free from slaughterhouses, laboratories, fur farms, and circuses. The first chapter, especially, will blow you away!
SV: What has been your favorite project/event to be a part of?
Pulin: I just can't pick one favorite project or event, so I'll list a few. I really loved spending time out on the Alkaline Trio and Rise Against a tour a few years ago. We got lots of people to sign our petitions, take free stickers, and learn about peta2's campaigns, such as Kentucky Fried Cruelty . We also set up displays on college campuses to show students the common roots of all forms of oppression. It really framed the animal rights movement as part of a larger social movement for a better world.
SV: Which blogs or websites do you visit on a daily basis?
Pulin: I read the peta2 and PETA blogs every day, plus The Vibe. That's about it for what I check on a daily basis. I often also check out blogs from other organizations, bands, friends, and peta2 Street Teamers. We did a really cool mission where people wrote the top eight reasons that peta2 is in their top eight, and I really enjoyed those!
SV: Who is your favorite active politician? Least favorite?
Pulin: I have many favorite and least favorite politicians—my favorite politicians know that concern for animals is not a partisan issue. Liberals can see that concern for those least able to defend themselves must extend to animals, while conservatives can see that mercy and compassion are bedrock conservative values that should transcend concern only for human beings. There have been wonderful defenders of animals over the years, men and women from both sides of the aisle who understand that, in addition to being the right thing to do, advocating concern for animals is also what the American people want from them. Take the recent farmed-animal ballot initiative in California. It got a higher percentage of the vote than any other ballot initiative in California's history. Concern for animals is the ultimate bipartisan issue.
Snackin' on some Pink Balls
SV: If you could give today’s youth one bit of advice, what would it be?
Pulin: Remember that you have the ability to change things right now. People are often so conditioned to ask others to make changes on their behalf that they forget the importance of making simple consumer choices, such as eating vegetarian or vegan meals or refusing to buy clothing that contains real fur. Believe in your ability to make positive changes in the world.
SV: Is there one person who has influenced you more than others?
Pulin: There hasn't been any single person who has influenced me the most. Initially, a local group in New Jersey really helped me learn about animal rights. But it's always been a combination of great friends, a supportive family, open-minded people that I talk to at events, bands that are down with the cause, and incredible coworkers.
SV: If you weren’t working for peta2, what would you like to be doing?
Pulin: I can't really imagine working anywhere other than peta2, because it's really a great fit for the way I think and relate to people. However, I designed my own major in college called "Ecology of Social Change," so I am sure that I'd also be happy working at any number of other local, national, or international organizations fighting to make the world a better place when it comes to environmental, human rights, and animal rights issues.
SV: What is the simplest way for someone to make an impact in the lives of animals (aside from becoming a vegetarian/vegan)?
Pulin: The average person eats thousands of animals over the course of his or her lifetime, but there are definitely other ways to help animals, such as by making smart consumer choices. Buying cruelty-free cosmetics and personal-hygiene products will help make sure that animals aren't being tested on for things like toothpaste, eyeliner, and deodorant! Anyone interested in learning more should check out the peta2 Street Team to get more info. It's free, and you can sign up at peta2.com/StreetTeam.
SV: And finally, what is your all-time favorite vegan junk food?
Pulin: That's a tough one! I'll say that ice cream (vegan, of course) is my favorite, regardless of whether it's a sweltering summer day or the chilliest winter night!
