The following was written by Emily Allen, CAP Associate Director. 

As Forrest Gump might say, fieldwork performed by staff of PETA's Community Animal Project (CAP) is kind of like a box of chocolates—because on this job, you never know what you're going to get. We rescue abandoned, abused, and neglected animals in the areas surrounding PETA's Norfolk, Virginia, headquarters. It's a big task, and we are looking to expand our team.

On any given day, we could be crawling through a sewer, climbing a tree, or digging through a junkyard to rescue a terrified animal; shuttling animals of low-income families to our no-cost to low-cost spay and neuter clinics; or traveling into an impoverished neighborhood to deliver doghouses, bedding, food, and toys to animals who have been left outdoors. 

We often come to the aid of neglected "backyard dogs" like Rambo, whose owner had left him trapped in a filthy pen with no food or water and whose every bone stood out like bare limbs on a tree. We worked with police to get him confiscated, and the owner was convicted of cruelty. That sweet dog, so trusting despite having been betrayed, was adopted by a fantastic family, gained 30 pounds, and now relishes the safe, comfortable indoor life—except for romps in the park, of course—that every dog deserves. 

We are also called upon to help suffering stray and feral cats. One old cat was so severely injured that his image will stay with me forever. His side was practically covered by an open wound that was teeming with maggots. A woman had been feeding strays in her yard but was apparently oblivious to the cat's condition. We whisked the dying animal back to our office and gave him a peaceful release from his suffering. 

Every day and every story are different, but I leave work each day feeling that, like the tale of the child who was saving the starfish who washed up on the beach, I may not be able to help them all, but I can help this one and that one and this one and …

Do you have what it takes to rescue abandoned, abused, and neglected animals? Apply to be a CAP fieldworker. 

You can't pick up a newspaper (or browse a news blog) anymore without seeing an article lamenting the state of the economy—especially when it comes to unemployment. The question on everyone's mind seems to be, "Are there any jobs available?" Sadly, the answer in the meager want ads seems to be a resounding "No."

But there's hope, people! One place, at least, is still hiring. Thanks to the exponentially increasing interest in animal rights (just look at the reactions to our new undercover investigation), PETA has been fortunate enough to be able to expand its workforce.

This video makes excellent points about PETA's mission, but I would like to add a few more reasons why working for PETA is the best job in the world*:

1. When somebody offers you a snack, there's no need to say, "Thanks, but is it vegan?" (It is!)
2. At PETA, every day is "Take Your Dog to Work Day." (If only Sir Dracula were up to making the trip to the office.)
3. When I tell people what I do for a living, they invariably ask me if I've ever gone naked for a protest. What a conversation-starter!
4. On a related note, two words: naked celebrities.
5. And, of course, there's the fact that you're helping to fight animal abuse around the world—and that's no small thing.

Convinced? I thought so. So head on over to check out our current job openings and give us a holler—we'd love to hear from you.

Written by Amanda Schinke

*According to a recent study, the worst job in the world is that of a lumberjack. PETA has no lumberjack positions. Coincidence? Or evidence of how awesome PETA is?

Archele Hundley is the latest in a long list of brave ex-Ringling Bros. employees to come to PETA with her story about what the folks at the circus get up to when they think no one’s watching. The PSA that she just recorded for us to help expose the circus’s animal abuse is a must-see for any parents who still take their kids to the circus, so please do pass it on if you know any grown-ups with children.

The wonderful Pamela Anderson, who was once paid to promote M&M's, has come out against Mars Candy for funding inhumane experiments on animals in violation of its own written policy. Pam faxed a letter to Mars President Paul S. Michaels this week expressing her support for PETA’s Mars Campaign, and letting him know that she will be encouraging her fans to boycott the candy this Holiday season. "When my friends at PETA showed me evidence that Mars continues to fund cruel and pointless animal tests,” she writes, “I was shocked—and it takes a lot to shock me."

You can read the full letter here.