As soccer fans all over the world are packing up their vuvuzelas, PETA Germany is petitioning for the retirement and release of Paul the prophetic octopus, who correctly chose the winners in eight match-ups, including Spain's win yesterday over the Netherlands. No one deserves to spend an entire life locked in a glass box, but if that's not reason enough to release Paul, here's a short list that should help PETA Germany make the case:

1. Octopuses are great problem-solvers and have been shown to be the coconut-carrying geniuses of the sea. Would you keep Einstein in a cage?
2. In the wild, Paul would have the opportunity to show off his interior decorating skills. Octopuses have been known to collect shiny ornaments that they find on the sea floor and place them around their homes.
3. Paul could finally sleep. Octopuses like to siesta, and they might even dream, but it's hard to take a nap when people are pounding on your bedroom walls and shouting at you all day long.

Caring soccer and animal fans from all over the world would certainly celebrate the release of the World Cup's Most Valuable Octopus from his tiny, unnatural confines at the Sea Life center in Oberhausen. PETA Germany promises a vuvuzela-free celebration.

Written by Karin Bennett

With people glued to their TVs to watch the final matches of the World Cup, a group of folks from PETA Asia, Fur Free South Africa, and the South African Naturist Federation—as well as fans from all over the world—seized the moment to speak out for animals who are killed for their fur. 

From China (where animals on fur farms are commonly skinned alive and even cats and dogs are killed for their fur) to Canada (where hundreds of thousands of baby seals have their heads bashed in every year), the fur trade represents cruelty of global proportions. Let's unite and take action to reach our goal: a world in which no more animals are killed to become coats, collars, and cuffs.

Written by Lindsay Pollard-Post

tambako / CC by 2.0

Here's another reason not to visit zoos and circuses: The lions you gawk at today could end up on a restaurant menu tomorrow.

A restaurant in Mesa, Arizona, made headlines this week for serving lion-meat burgers as part of a promotion related to the World Cup in South Africa. CNN reports that the meat was supplied by an Illinois butcher who was sentenced to six months in prison in 2003 for selling meat from federally protected tigers and leopards.

And where, exactly, did he get the lion meat? PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk gives her view—and reminds meat-eaters that lion burgers aren't really any worse than what's already on their plate (hint: factory farms are no walk in the park):

Tell us what you think about this sordid story.

Written by Paula Moore

Thanks for all of your wonderful comments on this Win It Wednesday. The winners of the vegan soccer balls are Keren Genet, Rev. Meg Schramm, and Hannah Claire Jarvis. Congratulations!

The World Cup has just started, and you can already spot the true fans. Dedicated soccer (or, if you prefer, "football") enthusiasts all over the world are breaking out their jerseys and dusting off their giant foam fingers.

Before you start practicing your Ronaldinho moves, don't forget to make sure that your ball is cruelty-free. Many sports balls are made of leather, despite the cruelty and human health risks involved in producing it. Hasn't anyone at FIFA ever been to CowsAreCool.com?

For this week's "Win It" Wednesday, we're giving away leather-free soccer balls from Fair Trade Sports so that cows can keep their skins and you can kick butt on the field.

How do you win? Tell us about your favorite animal-friendly athlete in a comment below. The three most fan-crazed comments will win.

The contest ends on July 1, 2009, and we'll choose one comment as the winner on July 3, 2009. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Check back every Wednesday for new prizes. Good luck!

Written by Lianne Turner