When a Tustin, California, security guard was charged with cruelty to animals for beating an opossum to death with a flashlight, PETA sent a letter to the Orange County prosecuting attorney urging a vigorous prosecution. The man pleaded guilty to the charges and received a sentence of three years' probation, 60 hours of community service, a payment of restitution, psychological counseling, and a $300 donation to the SPCA. He also lost his job as a security guard.

Read about the link between animal and human abuse.

PETA found a pot-bellied pig at a Suffolk feed store in poor condition, all alone in a small pen. He had probably never seen another pig in his life. In a collective effort, we relocated the animal to a western Virginia sanctuary where he could live comfortably in spacious conditions with lots of friends.

Read about the business behind "exotic" animals like pot-bellied pigs.

A binturong, a nocturnal Asian bearcat, was found one morning, sleeping on a local couple's front porch in Economy, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Game Commission took custody of the animal, who had been obtained and kept illegally. PETA contacted the game commission to recommend that permanent custody of the animal be given to a respected facility in Texas that provides lifetime care to a number of rescued animals. When game commission officials said that they were considering handing the animal over to a local binturong breeder, who profits from sending the animals to seedy displays all over the country, we provided documentation of neglect at the facility. Officials then informed PETA that the binturong would be allowed to live the rest of his life at the Texas facility. He now lives in an environment that closely resembles his natural habitat and enjoys the companionship of another binturong.

In Lexington, South Carolina, last summer two lions repeatedly escaped from a resident's property and frightened neighbors. PETA sent packets of information to members of the City Council, called each member individually, and rallied citizens to speak at the City Council meeting.  After considering their options, the council voted 6-2 to ban the private ownership of exotic animals.

Read more about the business behind the "exotic" animal trade.

PETA wrote to the CEO of arts and crafts giant A.C. Moore after receiving a disturbing call from a concerned member informing us that A.C. Moore was selling rabbit pelts.  Almost immediately, PETA received word that the company was "philosophically aligned" with PETA's goals, that the rabbit pelts would be removed from all stores and online catalogs, and that the company had adopted a permanent fur-free policy. To learn more about the cruel fur industry, please go here.