Countless consumers, knowing little to nothing about how to deal humanely with mice, buy the Ortho Home Defense MAX Kill & Contain Mouse Trap because it promises a quick, out-of-sight death, with "no mess." But not so fast! PETA is hearing that numerous people have been horrified to discover squeaking mice inside the traps, alive and conscious but bloody and writhing from their injuries.

After Scotts Miracle-Gro Company refused to respond to our letter detailing our concerns with these cruel devices, PETA filed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission seeking action against the company for its misleading claims—and we've asked Scotts Miracle-Gro chair and CEO James Hagedorn to pull the traps from store shelves, as we believe that the company is violating the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices.

"Scotts' deceptive advertising is fooling people into thinking that they are buying a humane mousetrap when what they are actually getting is a miniature torture chamber," says PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. Indeed, mice who become caught in these traps die slowly from stress-induced struggling, dehydration, heat prostration, or starvation.

So until further notice, put Scotts Miracle-Gro with that other company that Lowesballs both truth in advertising and compassion for mice. We promise to keep you updated on developments regarding this case—and we ask that you promise to always be kind to mice by using this humane, effective trap.

Written by Karin Bennett

portlandvegfest / CC

A couple of months ago, we filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging it to make the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) stop misleading consumers about the way cows on dairy farms are treated. Now, John Robbins—son of the founder of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream empire and the Pulitzer Prize–nominated author of Food Revolution—has written a letter to the FTC in support of our complaint.

"As the only son of the founder of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream empire, I was groomed from an early age to take over the family business. However, once I became aware of the tremendous suffering of cows on dairy farms, the suffering of their calves, and the devastating impact that dairy production has on the environment, I instead committed myself to working for a more compassionate and environmentally responsible world," writes Robbins, whose decision to put his father's legacy to a compassionate cause has inspired many to ditch the pus for good.

Cows in the dairy industry do not typically wander along in green pastures like the Happy Cows ads would have consumers believe. The reality for cows who are forced to produce milk for human consumption is that most are crammed into huge sheds, where they wallow in mud and feces. They are forcefully impregnated again and again only to have their babies ripped away from them shortly after birth so that their milk—which is meant for their children—can be sold in supermarkets.

Tons of people have already taken action to help cows suffering on dairy farms—won't you do the same?

Thank you soy much!

Written by Logan Scherer

I love debunking tired, meaningless clichés, but here's one I've never been able to disprove: Everything is bigger in Texas. The state's latest colossus? The largest abortion clinic in the United States.

Planned Parenthood of Houston won't open its new facility—a 78,000-square-foot, renovated former bank—until April, but a coalition of pro-life advocates and religious leaders will gather in Houston on January 18 to protest the clinic. We'd like to bring some peace to all this debate by urging everyone to respect the sanctity of all life, so we're asking to erect our "Pro-Life? Go Vegan" billboard in the area.

A cruelty-free diet makes sense no matter where you stand on the abortion debate. Oh, and, yes, with all this obsession with breaking size records, my 5'4" of self-esteem is doing just fine, thanks.

Written by Logan Scherer

Newsflash: Cows on dairy farms aren't happy. In fact, they are quite the opposite.

So how is it that the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) can continue to claim that the "best" cheese comes from California's supposedly ecstatic cows?

You know the ads—the one with a handful of free-roaming, robust cows cavorting sassily under a cheerful California sky? Apparently we're expected to believe that all cows used on dairy farms in California look like this …

theinspirationroom / CC

… as opposed to this:

In the past, we've had some choice words on the subject of California's supposedly happy cows. In 2002, PETA filed suit against the CMAB for false advertising—but the California Supreme Court refused to hear the case on the grounds that as a government agency, the CMAB can’t be sued for violating California state advertising laws.*

But we kept fighting the good fight against the CMAB's false advertising with a series of "Unhappy Cow" demonstrations and public service announcements, including a few starring the man himself, animal crusader James Cromwell. And now, on the heels of our most recent undercover investigation inside a dairy farm, the time has come to return to the trenches.

We're filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, calling on it to make the CMAB stop lying to consumers about the way cows on dairy farms are treated. "Happy cow" ads mislead consumers into believing that California dairy cows are pasture raised, free roaming, and grass fed and live in conditions that make them "happy" (i.e., that they are well cared for, content, comfortable, and healthy). In reality, these cows are drugged up, over-milked, and denied even the most basic care. Doesn't sound like a "happy cow" to me.

Written by Amanda Schinke

*Let's put aside how alarming one might find the idea of a government not subject to regulation.

Last year, PETA filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Motomco, the glue trap manufacturer that supplies Lowe's with its sticky death traps. Our complaint stated that Motomco was selling misleadingly labeled glue traps designed to make people believe that these traps were somehow acceptable. The label stated that the glue trap contained a naturally occurring anesthetic called eugenol, implying that animals caught in the trap did not suffer or feel pain. In reality, they do suffer and feel extreme pain.

We recently received a letter from the FTC letting us know that our complaint has officially been closed—because Motomco has removed the misleading claim about eugenol from its packaging and promotion materials!

Since Motomco's glue traps are the only brand that Lowe's sells—and Lowe's claims that it only sells glue traps that are "humane" because of eugenol—we hope that the change in Motomco's packaging will be the final push that Lowe's needs to pull glue traps from its shelves. Because it can no longer hide behind Motomco's misrepresentations, we've written to the home improvement company asking it to immediately rid its stores of the cruelest mouse traps on the market today.

Humane alternatives do exist and it's time for Lowe's to join other retailers, including Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Safeway, Dollar Tree, and Albertsons, in banning the sale of glue traps. Click here to find out how you can help.

Written by Karin Bennett

It seems like Raymond, New Hampshire—a town located about an hour north of Boston—is having a wicked bad identity crisis. In the market for a serious municipality makeover, the fine folks of Raymond have launched a contest in which they're asking people from all around the world to come up with a new slogan for their town.

Our suggestion? "Every Bunny Loves Raymond!" More than just a cute slogan, we're suggesting that Raymond adopt the motto and ban the sale of all fur. It would be a win-win sitch for everyone involved: No bunny would get skinned alive for a bit of trim, and Raymond would put itself on the map by becoming the first fur-free town in U.S. history.

By adopting this slogan and declaring itself fur-free, Raymond would be thumbing its nose at designers like Armani who continue pimping pelts. It would also be reminding citizens and visitors that no bunny, fox, chinchilla, mink, dog, or cat likes the idea of winding up as somebody's collar or cuff.

Written by Amy Elizabeth

In our fight to get KFC to enact minimal welfare standards for the more than 350 million chickens slaughtered for its U.S. restaurants each year, our supporters have helped us choose billboards and dressed up like the Colonel for Halloween. Now we'd like to ask your help with an even bigger task.

We're filing a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking it to take action against KFC for the chain's deliberately deceptive and unfair statements to consumers about the treatment of chickens raised and killed for its buckets and boxes. KFC allows its suppliers to house chickens in crowded sheds—with waste on the floor so thick that the ammonia burns the chickens' skin, feet, eyes, and throats. It allows its suppliers to use a slaughter method in which birds' throats are cut while they are still conscious. A company like that should not be allowed to claim a "commitment to animal welfare."

Please, take the time now to file your own, polite complaint with the FTC about KFC’s false claims of humanity and send this video to 10 friends so they can see just how "humane" KFC chicken really is.

Written by Shawna Flavell

czabe / CC

Yes, Angelina Jolie was spotted wearing what appeared to be a chinchilla-trimmed hat and cape on the set of her latest movie, spurring one of the best blog headlines that we've seen all week. But our L.A. staffers—knowing that Angelina is a longtime fur foe—were on it faster than Liza Minelli can open a bottle of Scotch, and they've received word from the film's publicist that (phew!) the chinchilla is actually synchilla.

Don't worry, Ange, we knew a big-hearted U.N. Goodwill Ambassador like yourself would never wear the skins of achingly adorable little animals who go "coo, coo" when they're excited and like to hold things in their cute little pinkish-gray hands. We just knew it.

Written by Alisa Mullins