People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has made an unusual request to the legendary rock band Alice in Chains with an open letter shared via their website.
They are asking the band to temporarily rebrand on social media in support of an endangered circus elephant. PETA is launching a campaign to draw attention to Betty, a 56-year-old elephant who has spent over five decades performing in circuses.
PETA’s letter to the band outlined the dire situation facing Betty. It explained the reasoning behind the creative campaign.
“Dear Jerry, Sean, Mike, and William, Coming to you with a wonderfully strange request from us at PETA. Would Alice in Chains be willing to go by Betty in Chains across social media — for a month — to spotlight a dear elephant who literally spends her life in chains?” the letter read. “In a nutshell, we’re turning up the volume on our efforts to rescue an elderly, disabled elephant named Betty, who is being forced to perform in roughly 300 circuses each year.”
The organization emphasized the urgency of Betty’s situation. The elephant was taken from Thailand as a baby and has endured decades of circus performances.
“Betty’s over 56 years old, was taken as a baby from Thailand, and has been used in circuses for more than five decades. An elephant expert who recently examined Betty warns that she faces a fatal collapse if not immediately retired to a reputable sanctuary,” PETA stated. “By lending (a version of) your iconic name, you could set the stage for freedom. You could amplify her story to millions and change the course of history for all animals used in circuses.”
PETA’s Senior Vice President of Communications Lisa Lange provided additional context about Betty’s suffering. She outlined the organization’s broader mission against animal exploitation in circuses.
“By the time grunge swept Seattle, Betty had already spent nearly twenty years suffering as a circus prop. Every day that passes with her being hauled from town to town and forced to perform brings her closer to the brink of death. PETA is encouraging Alice in Chains to get loud for Betty with a temporary name change that reminds everyone to Stay Away from animal-abusing circuses,” Lange said.
This creative campaign reflects PETA’s broader strategy of leveraging celebrity influence to raise awareness about animal welfare issues. The organization has launched high-profile campaigns that combine entertainment and activism to capture public attention and drive meaningful change.
Alice In Chains brings significant cultural weight to any cause they support as one of the most influential bands of the grunge era. The band’s platform and fanbase provide an opportunity to reach millions of people. Many of these individuals might otherwise remain unaware of Betty’s plight and the systemic issues surrounding circus animals.
The campaign highlights the ongoing debate about animal welfare in entertainment. Circuses that use animals have faced increasing scrutiny from animal rights organizations worldwide. Many countries and regions have implemented stricter regulations or outright bans on animal performances.
Betty’s case represents a broader crisis affecting circus animals globally. Elephants in particular have been shown to suffer severe psychological and physical trauma from captivity and forced performances. Rescue and sanctuary placement are critical for their survival and well-being.
For more information, visit PETA’s official announcement.
