PETA Pam gave the thumbs up yesterday to KFC Canada's humane treatment of animals and its faux fried chicken sandwich. Now we can all sleep better.
Actress Pamela Anderson endorsed the chicken chain's choice to phase out suppliers that slit birds' throats while they are fully conscious and scald them to death in favour of suppliers who suffocate birds using an inert gas.
"It's very Canadian of them, very forward thinking and I'm very proud that," said the former Baywatch babe at a crowded KFC restaurant on Davie Street. "Canadian KFC was the first one to do it and hopefully everyone else follows suit."
Anderson entered the restaurant wearing sunglasses, a snug-fitting black PETA T-shirt, dark denim jeans and heels. Once at the counter the B.C. native ordered her first KFC vegetarian sandwich.
"Snug fitting black PETA T-shirt": she is showing off her compassion, both of them.
PETA spokesperson Nicole Matthews said the soy-based patty has all of the flavour and texture of real chicken but it's cholesterol and - most importantly - cruelty free. Matthews described Anderson's involvement as "critically important." "People have a warm reception for her image," she said.
Matthews said PETA plans to continue its five-year protest of KFC restaurants outside Canada until they make similar agreements.
Anderson had some advice for those yet to come on board. "Just look at what Canada has done and I think they need to follow suit," she said. "In the meantime boycott any KFC that doesn't follow the same methods and is still doing all the cruel stuff that they're doing."