Have you recently gone vegetarian? Maybe you still eat meat but are looking for a lifestyle change to benefit your health and save animals' lives? Well, if you have been served grilled chicken or processed meats, you have a rare opportunity to fight for animals.

As some of you may know, the consumption of processed meats—such as sausage, bacon, and hot dogs—has been linked to colon cancer. Many folks are also surprised to learn that grilled chicken breast contains a cancer-causing chemical called PhlP. Unfortunately, food outlets that sell grilled chicken and processed meats are not warning consumers of the risk that their products pose.

The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is trying to bring manufacturers and sellers of hot dogs, sausage, grilled chicken, and similar foods that are linked with cancer to court in order to force them to put up warnings to notify consumer of the health risk of their products. PCRM is currently doing a nationwide search to find plaintiffs for this lawsuit … and that's where you come in! You could be a part of this unusual and exciting opportunity to help animals if you meet the following criteria:

1. You've been eating these products and did not know that they were linked to cancer risk.
2. You will now stop eating these products.

If you do meet the above criteria and would like to assist PCRM with this lawsuit, please contact PCRM today at rbernstein@pcrm.org or 202-686-2210, extension 314. Best of luck to you and your colon!

Written by Sean Conner

PETA took these pig displays to grocery stores around California to get the word out about Prop 2

We are so pleased to report that—thanks to your hard work—two important ballot initiatives passed yesterday, making history for animals. California voters approved Proposition 2 by a large majority, which will ban some of the worst cruelty to animals who are raised for food in that state: keeping egg-laying chickens in battery cages so small that they can't spread their wings, keeping veal calves in crates for their entire miserable short lives, and keeping pregnant pigs in crates that are so small that they can't take a step forward or backward or turn around. Animals on farms in California will be given these basic necessities by 2015, but we will continue to spread the message that the best thing that people can do to help animals is stop eating them altogether.

On the other side of the country, Question 3 passed, which will ban greyhound racing in the state of Massachusetts by 2010. Dogs who are used for racing typically spend 20 hours per day confined to cages measuring only 32 in. by 42 in. by 34 in. Many of the dogs can't even stand completely upright. The animals are also highly susceptible to injuries, including fractures, dislocations, lacerations, and amputations. And because they're no longer of use to the industry after they are injured, injured dogs are often simply killed.

The impact of both of these important initiatives is tremendous for the millions of animals whose lives will be affected by them. Our heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of you who worked toward their passage. We really are making a difference.

Written by Joel Bartlett