PHOTOS OF THE DAY

PETA "cops" were out in force at the Sundance Film Festival, making arrests for fashion felonies. Anyone wearing wool, leather, exotic skins, or fur saw the light. A flashing blue one, that is.

The crime: Ripping off an animal

The punishment: A public scolding

The penance: Buying a coat that didn't claim a life

After learning that New Orleans has been designated one of the most artery-clogging cities in America, PETA has offered to help fight plaque buildup with a pinup ambulance ad:

Nurse: © iStockphoto.com/Pavel Sazonov    Ambulance: © iStockphoto.com/Jon Patton

Our ad could certainly help New Orleans residents reduce their risk of heart disease. Their number of fender benders, however, might be on the rise …

You know what they say: The key to a man's heart is through his … stomach. Our sexy pilgrims, who are touring New England this week, can attest to that and more. Obviously, they attract a crowd, largely because of the delicious, free Tofurkys they're handing out. In fact, the Tofurkys flew off the table—with men and women gobbling them up—within 20 minutes in Bangor, Maine.

The pilgrims also gave out PETA's free vegetarian/vegan starter kits and told passersby that every year in the U.S., 40 million gentle, inquisitive turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving dinners alone.

In nature, turkeys are protective and loving parents as well as fast, cunning runners who are able to outwit their pursuers. But the turkey industry crams the birds into windowless warehouses and genetically manipulates them to grow so large that their legs are often unable to withstand the birds' weight. Countless birds slowly starve to death within inches of food after they become crippled and are unable to move.

PETA's sexy pilgrims will be docking in New Haven today and Providence tomorrow. Even if you aren't lucky enough to grab a Tofurky from these lovely ladies, you can get tips on serving up a cruelty-free feast at our "Living" page.

What do you get when you cross a chicken with a Vegas showgirl? Cupcake Chicks! PETA staffers Ashley Byrne and Amber TeGantvoort took up position near the White House to hand out yummy vegan cupcakes from Sticky Fingers Bakery and let people know that there's a tasty way to beat the salmonella outbreak. The proof is in the pudding, er, cupcake, and judging from the speed with which the confections disappeared, I think it's safe to say that we proved our point.

The combination of a woman with a beak on her forehead and a tray of cupcakes in her hands proved irresistible.

Tourists ate up our sweet little cupcakes.

Working on the city's infrastructure sure does work up an appetite for a sweet treat—and a vegetarian/vegan starter kit.

Written by Alisa Mullins

PETA raises ruckuses—and pulses—all over the world, but we don't do it alone. We have lots of helpers, like the person who recently got our "Veggie Love" commercial, which was deemed too hot by American network execs, aired in New Zealand.

While one viewer complained that our titillating tribute to veggies was over the top, no doubt many got a load of its important message after seeing the commercial.

Written by Karin Bennett

We all know the mudflap girl, but there's a new silhouette in town.

A pothole ad to prevent potbellies

Approximately 150 miles of road in Boulder County, Colorado are crumbling and if the county accepts our ad offer PETA's vegan vixen is ready to do more than turn truckers' heads. Sometimes we all need a reminder to use seatbelts, wear helmets, and watch for pedestrians in crosswalks—and this ad sends a message that's just as important: Your life may depend on what you eat—certainly the lives of animals do. So how about pulling over and picking up some lip-smacking vegan cuisine?

Written by Karin Bennett

It's so hot in the city, you'd think I'd be making another batch of lemonade—but I've got a hankering for some Internet Soup. It's been a while since the last batch, so dig in!

• Scientists know that pigs prefer a life like Arnold Ziffel's—full of Green Acres and some "luxuries" …
• … but this pug is partial to that other 60s hit, Batman.
• This video by Frank Strick has it all: A catchy song, an important question, and a big dash of cute—i.e., kid hugs turkey.
• Fisher nets baby black bear—but never fear! Mama to the rescue!
• We've said it before, but it bears repeating: Meat is never "green."
• Sure, beefcakes might make women swoon for a moment, but broccoli wins love for a lifetime.
• We know that Polly wants to fly. I'm guessing that Pauley wants to run.
• "Hummus: The Rap" has inspired me to finish my own masterpiece, Guacamole, A Concerto.
• Professor Turtle weighs in on how to be a hero.

Oof! I don't know about you, but I'm full after all that soup—and guac. This Special K needs a siesta. Until next time …

Written by Karin Bennett

Dear Cleveland,

We know that it's hard to let go of LeBron James. Our hearts melted for you when we heard that he signed with the Miami Heat, so we thought we'd cruise around Cleveland today, doing something really cool to lift your spirits: handing out free Tofutti Cuties in outfits that would make most cheerleaders blush.

These vegan cuties (the soy ice cream, that is) are the perfect way to "beat the heat." But we are also big softies for animals and the Earth. Did you know that raising animals for food is a major cause of greenhouse-gas emissions? A recent U.N. report concluded that a global shift toward a vegan diet is necessary to combat the worst effects of climate change. Plus, switching to a dairy-free diet reduces the suffering of cows and can help lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, and obesity—meaning that you'll be in your stadium seats cheering on the Cavs for years to come.

So keep your chin up Cleveland. You'll go on without LeBron. And please enjoy the Tofutti Cuties on us!

Love,

PETA's "Cleavage Cavalier" Cuties

It's that time again! Every summer, our Lettuce Ladies station themselves at the U.S. Capitol to serve a free lunch in honor of National Veggie Dog Day. This year, our leafy lovelies were joined by model and smokin'-hot vegetarian Vida Guerra, who spiced up the event by wearing a red chili-pepper bikini as she handed out veggie chili dogs to congressional staffers. Although some legislators recently hand-delivered chili seeds to the arctic "doomsday" seed vault, our duly elected officials had probably never encountered peppers that sizzled quite like this before!

Click here for more photos.

Even Washingtonian wonks want to look and feel good, so we're glad to promote such a great way to improve fitness. Or as Vida put it, "In my business, looks can make you or break you, and nothing has helped me stay fit, trim, and energetic more than kicking the meat habit. The best way to safeguard your health, reduce your carbon footprint, save animals' lives, and look your very best is to go vegetarian."

Written Posted by Jeff Mackey

Jenna Dewan-Tatum makes a ravishing reptile! The sultry star (and wife of smokin' hot actor Channing Tatum) recently shed her clothes and transformed into a snake for a new PETA ad exposing the cruelty of the exotic-skins industry. Find out why the alluring actor leaves wildlife out of her wardrobe in this exclusive behind-the-scenes interview:

While we're on the subject of fabulous fake snakes, we're giving away a pleather python bag from Melie Bianco and an Energy Muse bracelet—designed by Jenna herself specifically for this campaign and modeled by Jenna below.

Jenna Dewan Tatum shown wearing three layered Energy Muse Power bracelets. / © David Heisler Photography

After you enter to win this prize pack, tweet @jennaldewan and let Jenna know how this campaign has convinced you to show some love to snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles, and other reptiles by pledging to purge your closet of any exotic skins.

Written by Amy Skylark Elizabeth