PETA approaches Anoop Desai for new campaign

New Delhi, April 23: Animal rights organisation People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has approached the recently voted out"American Idol" contestant Anoop Desai to join hands with them for a cause.The Indian chapter of the US-based organisation wrote a letter to Desai Wednesday asking him to appear in a video supporting its Animal Birth Control (ABC) campaign to "implement humane methods of controlling companion animal populations in slums" in India.

"Anoop Desai is a huge hit in India because of being an Indian. He is an inspiration. There are sentiments of Indians associated with him and we want him to join the cause like previous `American Idol` Vanessa Olivarez, Kellie Pickler and Ruben Studdard as well as judge Simon Cowell in using his celebrity status to help PETA help animals," N.G. Jayasimha, campaign manager of PETA India, told IANS. "We want him to speak up for the dogs on the streets, as they really suffer a lot and need a voice. Though he is now out of the show, but he still has a huge appeal and fan following and we are hoping to ride on that," he added. Desai, a 22-year-old college student from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, also dubbed as "Noop Dogg" by "American Idol" judges, became one of 13 finalists after being selected as the judges` final wild card pick. He was voted out on the night of April 22 from the eighth season of the talent hunt show. IANS