Katie Price Faces Intense Criticism Over Plans to Rehome Her Pets
Katie Price has once again found herself at the center of a storm of controversy, this time for her recent comments about potentially rehoming her numerous pets. The former glamour model, 47, has been branded as "an unfit and irresponsible person" by animal rights organization PETA following her YouTube vlog where she discussed her lifestyle changes.
A Troubled History with Animal Care
Over the past nine years, Price has experienced the deaths of eight animals in her care, with five of them tragically killed in traffic accidents after escaping. This disturbing pattern has led to repeated calls from animal welfare advocates for her to be banned from pet ownership entirely. Since 2017, the string of fatalities has included five dogs, a horse, and a chameleon, most occurring near her former Sussex home.
The YouTube Revelation That Sparked Outrage
In her latest YouTube video, which reached her 371,000 followers, Price openly questioned whether she needed so many animals given her current lifestyle. "I've got to sort out what I'm going to do with the animals because obviously Lee's in Dubai and I'm going to keep going to Dubai and back," she explained, referring to her husband Lee Andrews, 41, who resides in Dubai.
Price continued with characteristic candor: "I've got 12 animals in the house. I know I like things excessive like big cars, big boobs, big bum, lots of animals, horses. I think I need to re-evaluate my life a little bit and just have a little think about everything. Because yeah do I need so many animals?"
Viewer Reactions and PETA's Strong Response
The casual nature of Price's comments about potentially reducing her pet count sparked immediate backlash from viewers. Many expressed shock and disgust, with comments ranging from accusations of neglect to concerns about her suitability as a pet owner.
PETA's vice president of programmes, Elisa Allen, issued a particularly strong statement: "There is almost nothing more Katie Price could do to cement the fact that she is an unfit animal guardian and an irresponsible person. Time and time again, this woman proves she doesn't care about the lives she wastes or listen to vital advice – and she is still treating live animals like stuffed toys: as disposable."
Previous Interventions and Petitions
This isn't the first time Price's treatment of animals has drawn organized opposition. A previous petition calling for her to be banned from pet ownership gathered over 36,000 signatures. PETA even offered her £5,000 several years ago in exchange for signing a legally binding agreement promising never to acquire another animal.
The organization made this offer after it was revealed Price had given away a puppy named Tank because he "no longer looked cute on Instagram." At the time, Allen expressed concerns that Price was "consistently harming" animals despite what might be good intentions.
Price's Current Pets and Past Tragedies
Price currently owns seven dogs and several Sphinx cats. Her history of pet tragedies includes:
- November 2017: One of her horses was killed on the A24 after escaping from its field
- February 2018: Her dog Queenie was hit by a car near her home
- November 2018: The family's pet chameleon Marvin died, which Price attributed to a "broken heart"
- February 2020: Her Alsatian Sparkle died after escaping and being hit by a car
- July 2020: Princess's puppy Rolo suffocated when caught in an electric chair mechanism
- November 2022: Her pomeranian Sharon was hit by a car and killed
- June 2023: Her dog Blade was run over on the same road as Sharon
Price's Defense and Lifestyle Considerations
When previously responding to criticism about her animal care, Price has consistently defended herself, calling the deaths "tragedies" and attributing them to "bad luck" and circumstances beyond her control. "When people say I shouldn't have animals, it's circumstances that were out of my hands," she told The Sun in a past interview. "It's no lack of me not looking after them or anything like that. I love animals, I love nurturing."
Her current consideration of rehoming pets appears connected to her frequent travel between the UK and Dubai to visit her husband. This international lifestyle has prompted her to question whether maintaining twelve pets remains practical or responsible.
The Broader Conversation About Celebrity Pet Ownership
This situation raises important questions about celebrity responsibility toward animals and the ethics of pet ownership when lifestyle changes occur. Price's case highlights how public figures face particular scrutiny regarding their treatment of animals, with organizations like PETA ready to call out what they perceive as irresponsible behavior.
The controversy continues as animal welfare advocates monitor Price's next moves regarding her pets, while her representatives have previously claimed she attempted to engage directly with PETA to address concerns.
