Mötley Crüe’s guitarist John 5 is turning up the volume on animal advocacy with his latest role in PETA’s compelling new campaign: “Always Adopt! Never Buy.” The rock legend, known for his virtuoso guitar skills and electrifying stage presence, has teamed up with his beloved adopted dog, Churro, to champion a cause that’s close to his heart: promoting the adoption of shelter animals over purchasing from pet stores or breeders.
A Rock Star’s Commitment to Animal Welfare
In an engaging video for PETA, John 5 shares the touching story of how he and his family came to adopt Churro, a hairless Chinese crested mix.
Found abandoned in a desert box as a puppy, Churro’s journey from neglect to a loving home is a testament to the importance of adopting rather than buying pets.
“It’s heartbreaking to even think about.
We had to get Churro—there were no ifs, ands, or buts,” John 5 says in the video. “We were lucky enough to adopt him, and he’s just the best. …
We literally can’t go anywhere without him—he’s always with us. He’s just a part of the family.”
Churro’s story emphasizes a critical point: shelters and rescue organizations often have a variety of breeds, including those you might find from breeders or pet stores.
With approximately 70 million homeless dogs and cats in the U.S. at any given time, animal shelters are struggling to keep up with the demand for space and resources.
Many shelters, facing overcrowding and resource constraints, may turn away animals or house them for extended periods, exacerbating the crisis.
PETA’s Call to Action
PETA’s campaign highlights several key issues:
- Shelter Overcrowding: With millions of homeless animals, shelters are often overrun, leading to severe overcrowding and sometimes inhumane conditions for animals in need.
- The Impact of Buying: Purchasing pets from breeders or pet stores contributes to the overpopulation problem, as these sources often prioritize profit over the welfare of animals, producing more animals than there are homes available.
- The Importance of Adoption: By adopting, potential pet owners are not only giving a home to a needy animal but are also helping to alleviate the strain on shelters and rescue organizations.
The campaign urges potential pet owners to adopt from shelters or breed-specific rescues and to ensure their animal companions are spayed or neutered. PETA advocates for the acceptance of all animals in need at shelters and encourages a shift away from buying animals.
Celebrity Endorsements and Advocacy
John 5 joins a distinguished roster of celebrities who support PETA’s adoption message, including Kathy Griffin, Lisa Ann Walter, Ron Perlman, Tom Hardy, John Stamos, Ryan Eggold, Theo Rossi, and Cristin Milioti. These public figures use their platforms to shed light on the importance of animal welfare and encourage their audiences to make compassionate choices.
PETA, which operates under the belief that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way,” provides resources like Empathy Kits to educate and inspire kindness towards animals. Their efforts aim to create a world where every animal is treated with compassion and respect.
For more information about PETA’s campaigns and to see how you can get involved, visit PETA.org or follow them on social media platforms like X, Facebook, or Instagram.
