Call it "animal magnetism," but we couldn't help but notice how many of the women on Maxim's Hot 100 list look awfully familiar. Olivia Munn edged out almost everyone, claiming the number two spot, but she's number one in our eyes for her defense of animals used in circuses and horses forced to pull carriages—just ask Hoda Kotb! 

 
Rubbing shoulders with Olivia on the list is Katy Perry at number three. Ms. Perry became Mrs. Sexiest Vegetarian in the UK when she married Russell Brand, and he might be rubbing off on the singer, who has said that she loves Tofurky. At number five, Mila Kunis is definitely hot, but fur, she says, is not.

Vegetarians liberally pepper the list, including Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, and reigning Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity Olivia Wilde. 

Lea Michele has more in common with Olivia Munn than just talent and beauty—the fur-free vegetarian star has tirelessly campaigned to end horse-drawn carriages too. Near to Lea on the list and in their animal-friendly values is Eva Mendes, who bared her skin for PETA to save the skins of animals killed for fur. And Audrina Patridge is an angel for animals, asking her fans always to adopt from an animal shelter in a PETA ad.

So many of the Hot 100 ladies are doing great things for animals that they were too numerous to mention here, but one thing is clear: Being compassionate makes one beautiful inside and out.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

The Oscar speeches may be over, but there are still some shout-outs left to send.

You can't talk about this year's winners without mentioning glowing vegan mom-to-be Natalie Portman, who gracefully accepted the Best Actress Award for Black Swan, which was directed by PETA friend, Darren Aronofsky. A faux-fur and -leather fan, Natalie is in good company with Best Actress in a Supporting Role winner Melissa Leo, who wore a dress by cruelty-free designer Marc Bouwer. Melissa wasn't faking her surprise and excitement, but she wisely fakes her fur. 

The fact that The Social Network composer Trent Reznor took home an Oscar for Original Score was music to animals' ears. Reznor spoke out against the fur industry's use of cat and dog skins in a video that he narrated for PETA.

Co-host and Best Actor nominee James Franco is a cat person, too, as he shows in this sweet picture. And co-host Anne Hathaway's vegetarian diet no doubt helped keep her physique sleek and ready for all those costume changes.

If your animals, like mine, dozed off during the show, they'll be happy to hear the animal-friendly results.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

gage skidmore/cc by 2.0

We just told you about the Fun, Fearless (Animal-Loving!) Males of 2011, and now the girls are getting their turn. AskMen released its 10^th annual Top 99 Most Desirable Women list, and so many animal-friendly ladies were included that it can't be a coincidence—it's hot to be compassionate!

Several Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity alums ranked high on the list, including Natalie Portman, Kristen Bell, and reigning Sexiest Vegetarian Olivia Wilde. 

Some possible contenders for future Sexiest Vegetarian honors are among the Top 99 Most Desirable as well. Lovely Glee star Dianna Agron loves her veggies, and Anne Hathaway recently added fish to her "friends, not food" list, bidding adieu to sushi. Katy Perry has been singing the praises of eating Tofurky with vegetarian hubby Russell Brand, so it might not be long before his diet rubs off on her.

So many of the Top 99 ladies have done public service announcements for PETA that we wonder if AskMen searched our ads for its candidates. Vegan Lea Michele is a staunch defender of horses used in the horse-drawn carriage industry and of animals killed for their fur. Lea's abhorrence of fur is shared by Eva Mendes, who narrated an anti-fur video for PETA, and by Natalie Imbruglia, who starred in an anti-fur exposé for PETA Australia.

Rounding out our picks of delightful, desirable damsels is PETA pal Olivia Munn, who isn't shy about standing up for animals who are abused in circuses and puppy mills. 

Written by Michelle Sherrow

In an interview with the U.K.'s Metro, Anne Hathaway reveals that she has been a "commitment-shy vegetarian" since she was about 12, but she says that she strengthened her resolve not to eat her furry or feathered friends while in England filming her upcoming movie One Day. Fish, however, were still on the menu—until someone gave her a copy of Jonathan Safran Foer's bestseller Eating Animals.

"I read it and that was it for me in terms of being able to eat fish," she says. "I just can't support the way fish are farmed and caught. So when my friends say, 'Do you want to go out and have sushi?' I go out with them and order my cucumber rolls, and they're, like, 'Really?' No matter how tempting it is to have a delicious piece of sushi, I just can't."

Anne, whenever you're in L.A., I have it on good authority that you can't go wrong with the Caterpillar Roll (barbeque seitan and avocado) at Shojin Organic & Natural. You'll never miss the slimy sea kitten flesh, I promise.

Written by Alisa Mullins

collider / CC

"When I was trying to work her out, I kept saying to myself, 'She is a punk-rock, vegan pacifist.' So I listened to a lot of Blondie, I watched a lot of Greta Garbo movies, and I looked at a lot of the artwork of Dan Flavin."
—Anne Hathaway on what inspired her character in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

The movie hits theaters on March 5, and that very important date is already in my planner—but I'm having a hard time choosing a favorite character. Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter or Anne Hathaway's vegan-inspired White Queen? Oh dear.

Written by Shawna Flavell