People who eat fish but not cats are guilty of ‘speciesism’, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have said. 

PETA has paid for an advertisement that compares a fish dinner to eating a dead cat and installed it close to a chip shop in the British town of Cleethorpes. 

Repulsed by the prospect of eating cat flesh?

Extend that compassion to fish and ALL other animals 🐟#endspeciesism #govegan pic.twitter.com/Rt1nd1GlIG

— PETA UK (@PETAUK) April 26, 2023

The area has a large fishing fleet and the campaign has generated a certain amount of controversy - but PETA Media and Communications Manager Jennifer White is unrepentant.

“There really shouldn’t be anything extreme about encouraging people to protect all animals from abuse,” she told Lunchtime Live.  

“Really all this poster is doing is getting people to think about how fish have the exact same capacity to feel pain as a cat or a dog. 

“While most people would never dream of going home for a cat supper for their dinner, we know that fish are hauled out of the ocean, they’re suffocated, they’re gutted while they’re still conscious - all for a fleeting moment of taste. 

“So, really anyone who feels disgusted at the idea of eating cat flesh should show that same compassion and empathy for fish and other animals by going vegan.” 

CR4FJN France Herault Sete Bassin de Thau fisherman surrounded by seagulls in his small boat taking out his conical fishing baskets

Ms White said eating any animal is “mistreating” them and it does not matter what species they are. 

“It’s all just based on our own arbitrary human preferences and it’s something that people are taught from a really young age - from their parents, from teachers,” she said. 

“It’s that fluffy, cuddly animals like dogs and cats deserve our love and care and protection and that fish, cows, pigs and chickens are deemed food. 

“This is why PETA’s campaign is so important - because we’re showing people that animals are all individuals and they all want to live.” 

Ms White said PETA could potentially run the advert in Ireland and is delighted it has generated “so much important discussion about fish”.

Main image: Cat with a fish.