PETA Wants to Make a Huge Change to Groundhog Day

PETA wants Groundhog Day to retire Punxsutawney Phil and offer a vegan “weather reveal cake” instead.

Key Facts

  • People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club on Jan. 20.
  • PETA offered to deliver a vegan cake every year if Punxsutawney Phil is retired from his weather prediction duties.
  • The organization claims that the annual event causes distress to Phil, who is a shy prey animal by nature.
  • Groundhog Day has been celebrated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, since 1887.
  • The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has not publicly responded to PETA’s latest request.

The Rest of The Story

Every Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil is placed before excited onlookers as he either sees his shadow (predicting six more weeks of winter) or does not (signaling an early spring).

This time-honored tradition draws thousands of visitors to Gobbler’s Knob.

Over the years, the ceremony has inspired celebrations across the country, boosting tourism for Punxsutawney and offering a bit of winter fun for those who attend.

PETA’s recent proposal takes aim at what they view as a stressful ordeal for the famous groundhog.

According to the group, groundhogs in the wild would avoid humans and prefer to remain in underground tunnels or climb trees.

Their letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club depicts Phil’s annual cameo as unnatural, especially with loud crowds, strong lights, and an announcer calling attention to his every move.

The animal rights group claims this spectacle runs contrary to the groundhog’s usual quiet nature.

In place of using a live animal, PETA is offering the club a free vegan “weather reveal cake” that could replicate some of the excitement.

Under PETA’s plan, the cake would be ceremonially sliced each Groundhog Day to determine whether spring will come early or winter will linger.

They argue this method would allow Phil to retire to a sanctuary, freeing him from the frantic celebrations that take place each year.

Critics of PETA’s campaign say the tradition is mostly harmless and fosters a sense of small-town American heritage.

Many fans who travel to Punxsutawney believe the event is just a fun occasion and that Phil is well cared for.

The Bottom Line

Groundhog Day has always been a time of lively festivities and charming folklore, but PETA’s push to replace the event with a vegan “weather reveal cake” underscores a growing discussion on the treatment of animals used in public ceremonies.

As of now, Punxsutawney Phil remains the star of the show, leaving many to wonder whether tradition will prevail or PETA’s vision will find an audience.

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https://www.foxnews.com/us/peta-calls-end-groundhog-day-tradition-replace-punxsutawney-phil-vegan-weather-reveal-cake