PETA's Rescue Department is always on call to help animals out of life-threatening emergencies. Case in point: A rescue worker was recently awakened by a page regarding an anhinga who had somehow become entangled in a tree limb. Anhingas are tropical birds found in the Everglades, and this Florida caller was worried about the frightened animal, who was hanging upside down and thrashing about, frantically trying to get free.

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We contacted law-enforcement officials immediately, and they arrived within minutes. They freed the bird and then took her to a local wildlife rehabilitator, where she received stitches and quiet recovery time to help her injuries heal before her release.

The threats to birds, as well as land and aquatic animals, are everywhere and often involve plastic debris (like six-pack holders), fishing line, netting, and bird-deterrent mesh. A recent news report about a skunk who was freed after he'd gotten his head stuck in a peanut butter jar is yet another example of how paying close attention to wildlife can save a life.

Please always try to help wild critters out of dangerous situations, and consider how debris can harm animals. Cut up six-pack rings, rinse out recyclables, and flatten cans, and safely dispose of others' carelessly discarded fishing line when you find it. Anhingas, skunks, and other animals thank you in advance for caring.

Written by Karin Bennett

This week, we approached the city of Ashland, Ohio, with a little business proposition after we learned of the city's efforts to find a more cost-effective way to run its curbside recycling program.

We sent the director of city services a letter offering to offset the program's costs by paying to place our Lettuce Ladies' "Vegetarians Do It to Save the Planet" ad on the city's recycling trucks:

With all the bottle-sorting going on in Ashland, its citizens might be interested to learn that they can cause far more damage to the Earth with the foods they eat than they can by chucking some bottles onto a garbage heap. In fact, the production of 1 pound of meat generates the same amount of greenhouse-gas emissions as does driving an SUV 40 miles. Of course, we're not suggesting that anyone stop sorting those bottles, but why not also try a meat-free diet that won't hurt animals or the environment?

Written by Jennifer Cierlitsky

Thanks for all of your wonderful comments on this Win It Wednesday. The winners of the OPI nail polish are Alicia Webster, Jamie Bevia, and Jill Brown. Congratulations!

It's flip-flop season, and it seems like everyone is busting out a fancy pedicure. I think I can safely say that we all want pretty feet without contributing to the horrors of animal testing, so it's a good thing (for us and for animals) that OPI nail polish is cruelty-free. For this week's "Win It" Wednesday, three of you can have fashion-forward tootsies on us.

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How do you win? Tell us about your favorite kind of animal-friendly footwear. Whether it's your vegan TOMS or your worn-out Chucks, we want to know. Three lucky people will each win a set of OPI nail colors from South Beach's spring collection.

The contest ends on May 27, 2009, and we'll choose the three most fashion-savvy comments as the winners on May 29, 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

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"The government does not want us to call it the swine flu. They're calling it the 2009 H1N1 virus. The reason for the change is they want people to know you can still eat all the pork you want without any risk to your health, except diabetes, obesity, and heart disease."

That's Jimmy Kimmel's take on swine flu, as quoted in the New York Times.

And, if you're inclined to take a trip down Memory Lane, here's Jimmy Kimmel's take on PETA's Alicia Silverstone and Super Bowl ads.

We love Jimmy!

Written by Shawna Flavell