Recently, PETA claimed that the finance company MasterCard would no longer work with aquariums and zoos.
The claim was made in a blog post on PETA’s website. In it, the organization made this claim:
One day. That’s how long it took MasterCard officials to end their promotion of a swim-with-dolphins program after PETA let them know just how inhumane these events are. They immediately removed it from their website—and that’s not all. They swiftly vowed never to support captive animal displays again.
Understandably, the aquarium industry was upset to see a respected company falling prey to the propaganda of radicals. In order to verify PETA’s claims, the Georgia Aquarium contacted MasterCard. While waiting for a response, Georgia Aquarium refused to accept MasterCard payments.
It turns out that PETA was making stuff up. Again.
Photo Credit: Source
MasterCard leaders made it clear that they were not withdrawing support or publicly denouncing zoos and aquariums. In a public statement, MasterCard said:
We value our relationship with accredited zoos and aquariums. These institutions are held to established standards and best practices and they play an important role in the communities where we operate. In addition, accredited facilities worldwide play an important role in educating the public, conducting research and conservation, and, ultimately, preserving wild populations.
In guiding our work with animal-related organizations, we subscribe to the concept that “all animals should be treated humanely, and we celebrate the special role they play in our families and our lives”.
Does this sounds like a condemnation of aquariums? Of course not!
Radical activists operating through organizations like PETA don’t care about the truth. They simply want to push an agenda at any cost necessary.
Accredited zoos and aquariums are regularly praised for their groundbreaking research, conservation efforts and humane treatment of animals. MasterCard knows this, so of course they didn’t denounce and institutions that do so much go for wildlife.
Photo Credit: Source
In a statement of their own, the Georgia Aquarium said:
MasterCard clarified with us that PETA’s public blog post does not reflect their company policy. Following this clarification, Georgia Aquarium has reinstated accepting MasterCard online and at the ticket windows. We are satisfied with MasterCard’s immediate attention to this matter and we will continue to work with MasterCard.
Certified institutions like the Georgia Aquarium and companies that support them (like MasterCard) do the most good for animals. Radicals like PETA are too blinded by their agenda to see the simple facts.
Well done MasterCard. In an age where standing up for the positive contributions the aquarium industry gives to the world invites ridicule from uniformed radicals, it is encouraging to see sanity restored.