PETA wants Punxsutawney Phil replaced with ‘weather reveal’ cake on Groundhog Day
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With Groundhog Day set for Sunday, PETA issued a plea to save “exploited groundhog” Punxsutawney Phil.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a statement which suggested the creature that predicts an early spring or six more weeks of winter should be replaced with a “weather reveal” dessert.
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The concept of using a vegan treat would be similar to the gender reveal of a baby.
Once cut, the cake would show one of two colours — pink, indicating an early spring, or blue, meaning there would be six more weeks of winter weather.
The animal rights organization added that Punxsutawney Phil and his family should “retire to a reputable sanctuary” instead of taking part in the yearly Feb. 2 tradition and give Groundhog Day a “much-needed ‘cake makeover.’”
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk sent a pun-filled letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s president, Tom Dunkel, pleading with the group to give Punxsutawney Phil the retirement he deserves.
“This would allow you to still make tourism dough while showing Phil a slice of decency,” Newkirk wrote.
“It would be at least as accurate as asking a groundhog what to expect in a way that doesn’t even reflect his nature.”
She noted that “Groundhog Day is no piece of cake” for Punxsutawney Phil, detailing that “groundhogs are shy prey animals who, when allowed, actively avoid humans.”
Newkirk continued: “Yet, year after year, Phil is transported to Gobler’s Knob, whisked on stage, and subjected to a noisy announcer, screaming crowds, and flashing lights against all his natural instincts.”
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Last year, PETA asked the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to replace the animal with a giant coin, while in 2020, the animal rights advocates suggested swapping out Phil for an animatronic version of the rodent.
Punxsutawney Phil’s 2024 prediction was an early spring, matching his furry forecasting Canadian counterparts Wiarton Willie in Ontario, Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia and Fred la Marmotte in Quebec, when all reportedly did not see their shadows.
According to Los Angeles’ KTLA5, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club hasn’t publicly responded to PETA.
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