US music superstar Taylor Swift is being urged to cancel her performance at the Melbourne Cup amid claims her two-song set will effectively endorse animal cruelty.
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses has taken aim at the 'Shake it Off' hitmaker, accusing her of putting "money before compassion."
"If Taylor Swift cares at all about other animals the way she appears to care about cats, she will cancel her show and make a strong statement that animal abuse is unacceptable," the group's statement reads.
The organisation has also drawn reference to the singer's cats in calling for Swift to take a universal approach to animal welfare ahead of the 5 November event.
Taylor Swift's cats are frequently spotted alongside the pop singer and have developed their own following on social media. Source: GC Images
Last year's Melbourne Cup saw The Cliffsofmoher became the sixth horse to die as a result of the race since 2013.
Swift's performance is scheduled to take place in the Mounting Yard, enabling general admission ticketholders to take part in the spectacle.
Victorian Racing Club chief executive Neil Wilson told the ABC he hopes the star's inclusion at the event will attract a new generation of racegoers.
Taylor Swift is seen riding a horse during her music video for the song 'Blank Space'. Source: YouTube/Taylor Swift
"We're targeting more and more of the next generation coming through," he said.
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses is now ramping up its counter-social media campaign, encouraging supporters to revisit the #NupToTheCup hashtag.
"The day is becoming widely regarded as a national disgrace," the group said.
