With heaps of demos and tons of do-gooding, Chris is shaking things up in his community.
Name: Christopher James Garnett
Age: 18
Grade and School: Freshman at Dutchess Community College
What was your life like before you became an activist for animals?
I would speak up for animals if I ever saw one being abused. One time there were three kids outside teasing my cousin's dog, Bailey. Bailey was on a lead, so she could only go so far. So I yelled at the kids and chased them away from Bailey. I always had a love for animals, but I just didn't make the connection that they weren't ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment until I was a teenager.
How did you learn about PETA2, and what made you get involved?
I learned about PETA2 a few years back at a show in New Jersey. I was a member of PETA for awhile when PETA2 first started developing. A PETA member was there tabling the show, and he told me about PETA2 and asked me to sign up for the e–mail list. From there, I went to the Web site and got involved with the Street Team.
What made you become a vegan?
I was at a concert, and a band had PETA leaflets on their merch table. I picked up the Procter Gamble leaflet, and after reading that, I was so thoroughly disgusted with the ways animals were used in experiments, I decided to boycott all Procter Gamble products. A few months later, I thought to myself, If it's wrong to use animals in experiments, it's just as wrong to slaughter them and eat their flesh. I went vegetarian in August of 2001. From there, I read more and more about the ways animals were treated in the egg and dairy industries, and in February of 2002 I went vegan.
Do you have companion animals?
All of the companion animals who live with my girlfriend and me were rescued. Precious and Autumn, the cats, are very loving and affectionate girls. Autumn follows you everywhere, and Precious loves to sit on top of the couch and clean your hair. Both of them were strays. Autumn actually was just welcomed into our home recently.
What is your job?
I volunteer at the Dutchess County SPCA. I am also a respite worker with The Dutchess Mental Health Association.
In general, what are your major job duties?
At the Dutchess County SPCA, I walk and play with dogs and hang out with cats. As a respite worker with The Dutchess Mental Health Association, I work with emotionally handicapped children and take them out to do fun things like bowling, roller skating, etc.
What are your likes and hobbies?
I play bass guitar in My Safe Haven, and I also love to go bowling, play video games, watch movies, go to shows, travel, and hang out with my friends. I also enjoy going to the animal shelter.
When and what was your first activist experience?
The first thing I ever did as an activist was set up an animal rights table at a show my band was playing. Since the table was right next to all of our merch, people would take lots of different leaflets. It was a great feeling seeing people take leaflets.
What was the turning point when you decided to devote your life to animal rights?
Just seeing all of the videos on PETA's Web site and reading all of the horror stories of animals being treated cruelly just made me really want to do whatever I could to help alleviate animal suffering. Reading Free the Animals was also definitely very inspirational.
Were or are you in any clubs especially animal rights clubs?
I started my high school's first animal rights club during my senior year. We were called Dover's ARC (animal rights club). Over the course of just one year, we raised a few thousand dollars for various animal right organizations like our local SPCA, Farm Sanctuary, and PETA. I just started Dutchess Action for Animals at my college this past fall. So far it has been going great. Starting in the spring, Dutchess Action for Animals plans on doing several fundraisers.
What are some animal rights achievements that you're proud of?
I show "Meet Your Meat" at concerts whenever possible, and I have had a number of people tell me that "Meet Your Meat" made them go veg. I have also shown "Meat Your Meat" to friends and family, and a few of my friends went veg as well as my little brother. Doing demos at KFC and actually turning customers away is another proud moment.
What is your favorite animal rights action and when was the last time you did this action?
My favorite animal rights action would be demos. I love going out on the streets with signs and handing out leaflets. I think demos are extremely fun and a great way to get out the animal rights message.
Who is your favorite PETA2 band and why?
The (International) Noise Conspiracy. They have really great bass lines as well as excellent lyrics. I also like Bright Eyes a lot. Conor Oberst writes very clever and honest lyrics.
Tell us about your favorite PETA campaign?
I think all of PETA's campaigns are very important, so it's hard for me to choose a favorite. I do love all of the creative demo ideas. Like the "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" Campaign and the KFC Cruelty Campaign with the injured "chicken."
What is your favorite PETA leaflet and what is your favorite way to use it?
Most recently Dutchess Action for Animals has been using the leather, fur, and wool leaflets. So those are the leaflets I'm using a lot of now. We've been tabling in the cafeteria during high-traffic hours, showing video footage of the skins trade, and it's been pretty successful. I also like to leave the "Fur Hurts," "Think Before You Eat," and "Who's Skin Are You in?" cards on tables and in the library. Again, I think all of the campaigns are important, so it's hard for me to pick a favorite leaflet.
Were you ever in a situation where you went against your parents, your teacher, or another authority figure by taking a stand and refusing to do something because of your compassion for animals?
I've gone against my teachers a few times by refusing to dissect frogs or do art projects that involved eggs or other animal products. Whenever I did this, I always provided the teachers with valid reasons, so I never got in any sort of trouble for it.
What is your personal message to the more than 50,000 Street Team members of PETA2?
Have fun and be creative with your activism! Animals need your voice, so don't back down.
If Chris hasn't inspired you to join the Street Team well, then there must be something wrong with you!
