Courtesy of Lelah Foster

Having a celebrity as the face of an animal rights campaign has helped PETA achieve huge victories. For instance, vocal protests by Sir Paul McCartney and Alicia Silverstone helped convince NASA not to blast squirrel monkeys with harmful doses of radiation. Celebrities such as Olivia Munn and Sarah Silverman have helped publicize Ringling Bros.' cruelty to animals, which recently resulted in the largest U.S. Department of Agriculture fine in circus history. And with the help of Lea Michele, the suffering of horses in New York City's carriage trade is garnering attention.

Michelle Cho, the senior manager of communications, dishes about what it's like behind the scenes of some of PETA's most visible work:

What is one of the most exciting things happening right now with PETA's work with celebrities?
So many professional athletes are enthusiastic about getting involved. Tony Gonzalez, Chad Ochocinco, Chase Utley, Gilbert Arenas, Amar'e Stoudemire, Willis McGahee, Lance Briggs,  Chris Andersen, and many others are allowing us to reach legions of sports fans about animal issues. 

What is one of your favorite celebrity stories?
When I first met Steve-O six years ago, I was interviewing him about elephant abuse that he had witnessed as a student at Ringling's clown college. I recall him saying that he didn't think vegetarianism was possible for him. Then began the phone calls inquiring about feathers, leather, wool, and even animal products in chewing gum! And just two years later, he had an "aha moment" in which he decided that he didn't want to contribute to the unnecessary suffering of animals and went vegan. He is one of the most inspirational people I've ever known, and I'm so proud to call him a dear friend.

Is Hollywood more animal-friendly than it used to be?
Definitely. Thanks to the Internet, we disseminate a lot more information, and it's reaching powerful people. Major ad agencies are pledging never to use great apes, filmmakers are using computer-generated imagery rather than using live animals, and TV shows and movies are including animal rights–related storylines. The support of so many influential people in show business can only pay bigger dividends for animals in the future.

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Join the A-list party! Become a PETA member today.

And we're doing a double take. Everybody wants to know what Willis is talkin' about in his smoking-hot public service announcement for PETA. The record-setting running back plays offense for the Baltimore Ravens, but he's quick to play defense for animals to help prevent them from being killed for their fur.

Willis is the latest athlete to play for Team PETA, showing off his tats (and a whole lot more) in our "Ink, Not Mink" campaign. Our fantasy-worthy team includes Amar'e Stoudemire, Gilbert Arenas, Dennis Rodman, and Chad Ochocinco. 

Want more Willis? You can see his, ahem, more revealing ad and read about his PETA shoot. And, of course, you can join Willis in saying "nevermore" to fur.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

UPDATE: PETA has received confirmation that the fur Nate was photographed wearing does not belong to him. He does not own any fur. PETA is thrilled to hear this.

After seeing photos of Boston Celtics point guard Nate Robinson playing dress-up in a giant "cat mink" fur coat that he reportedly received as a Christmas gift from Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal, PETA wrote to Robinson asking that he donate the fur to … PETA. If he agrees, PETA will allocate funds equivalent to the value of the coat to pay for veterinary care for the dogs and cats of low-income Boston families.

By donating the coat, the slam-dunk champ would score major points for animals: In the letter to Robinson, PETA's Michelle Cho explains that animals killed on fur farms are bludgeoned, anally and genitally electrocuted, drowned, strangled, and skinned alive. He would also join the ranks of the scores of impressive athletes who have stood up for animals, including Amar'e Stoudemire, Chad Ochocinco, Tony Gonzalez, and Gilbert Arenas.

If you or someone you know is harboring a hide and would like to see it used to help a person or animal in need, please consider donating it to PETA. 

Written by Michelle Sherrow

Three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas is proof that one man can double-team fur industry cruelty. First, he bared it all in his "Ink, Not Mink" ad, and today he hosted PETA's fur-coat giveaway in Washington, D.C., where donated coats were handed out to the homeless:

Only those who can't afford to buy coats to keep them warm have any excuse to wear fur. Do you have any skins that you'd like to shed from your wardrobe? Donate them to PETA, and your old fashion faux pas could help a person in need or become bedding for an orphaned animal.

Written by Logan Scherer