In a world where the cries of the voiceless often go unheard, Poorva Joshipura has emerged as a relentless champion of compassion, courage, and change. Recently appointed as the first-ever President of PETA International, she brings more than 25 years of unwavering dedication to the protection of animals across the globe. Her journey—from an idealistic intern to one of the world’s most influential animal rights leaders—offers a stirring testament to the power of conviction and the boundless impact of empathy.
Poorva Joshipura: A Visionary at the Helm of PETA International
September 2025 marked a historic turning point for the animal rights movement when Poorva Joshipura was named the inaugural President of PETA International. In this pioneering role, she now oversees groundbreaking projects and operations spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, unifying regional campaigns into a powerful global mission.
Her appointment signifies more than just a professional milestone—it symbolizes the recognition of her lifelong commitment to ending animal suffering. With deep cultural intelligence shaped by living and working on three continents, she is uniquely positioned to bridge diverse communities through a shared value: compassion for all living beings.
From Intern to International Leader
Poorva Joshipura’s journey began humbly in 1999 as an intern at PETA US. Within a few short years, she became a Research Associate at just 23. Her rise was meteoric—not driven by ambition for titles, but by an unshakable passion for justice. She went on to serve as the CEO of PETA India, Director of PETA UK, and Senior Vice President of International Affairs at PETA Foundation UK.
Across each role, Joshipura demonstrated a rare blend of strategic vision and fearless action. Whether negotiating in corporate boardrooms, challenging government policies, or leading protests on the streets, she has consistently inspired change at the highest levels.
Poorva Joshipura: Landmark Achievements That Transformed Animal Protection
Throughout her career, Poorva Joshipura has spearheaded numerous campaigns that reshaped laws, industries, and public consciousness:
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Driving Corporate Change: She convinced Mercedes-Benz to become the first major carmaker to offer leather-free interiors on request—a move that catalyzed a wider industry shift toward cruelty-free materials.
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Ending Animal Testing: She led efforts that resulted in India’s ban on testing cosmetics on animals, setting a precedent for compassionate legislation.
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Banning Cruel Entertainment: Joshipura played a pivotal role in ending the use of horse-drawn carriages in Petra, Jordan and Mumbai, India, and helped secure a Supreme Court of India ban on the notorious bull-taming festival Jallikattu in most of India.
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Exposing Cruelty Through Investigations: She has personally conducted and overseen dozens of undercover investigations inside slaughterhouses, laboratories, and other facilities, bringing hidden suffering into the light and sparking global outrage.
Her efforts have saved countless animals from exploitation while inspiring people worldwide to rethink their relationship with animals.
Inspiring Voice Through the Written Word
Poorva Joshipura is also a powerful storyteller and educator. She has authored two widely acclaimed books published by HarperCollins India:
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For a Moment of Taste (2020): An unflinching exposé of the meat, egg, and dairy industries, revealing their devastating impact on animals, the planet, and human health.
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Survival at Stake (2023): A groundbreaking exploration of how our treatment of animals directly fuels global crises like pandemics, climate change, and antibiotic resistance.
Through her writing, Joshipura urges readers to see that compassion is not only a moral imperative—it is essential to humanity’s survival.
A Life Shaped by Compassion
Born in the United States to parents from Gujarat, India, and raised in Virginia, Poorva Joshipura graduated magna cum laude from Old Dominion University with a degree in psychology. Her journey to veganism—and ultimately, her life’s mission—began when she volunteered at an animal sanctuary. But the pivotal moment came when she locked eyes with a terrified calf moments before slaughter. That haunting image solidified her vow to dedicate her life to saving animals from suffering.
Today, she is based in London, while regularly working in Delhi, Mumbai, and Wadi Musa. Her international experience reinforces her belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“the world is one family”—a vision she extends to include every living being.
A Fearless Advocate With a Global Mission
Poorva Joshipura is not afraid to take bold action. She has been jailed for disrupting a Michael Kors fashion show in protest of fur (which the designer later banned) and even staged a public demonstration in Delhi by being “experimented on” to highlight animal abuse in laboratories. Her activism spans from courtrooms and corporate boardrooms to schools, police stations, and rescue operations on the street.
As President of PETA International, she aims to harness innovation and technology to replace animal exploitation—envisioning mechanical elephants in temples, robotic animal educators for children, and advanced alternatives to animal use in food, clothing, and science. Her mission is clear: to build a future where compassion governs human choices, and animals are treated not as commodities, but as fellow earthlings.
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