Got a free afternoon? Why not hang 10 (fingers, that is)? A wave of animal rights info is as close as your computer screen. So dust off your keyboard and surf the sites below:

The Born Free Foundation
Founded by the stars of the classic movie Born Free, this U.K. group works to help animals in zoos and circuses. Check out their “Junior Education Pages” at: www.bornfree.org.uk/jedu.htm

VIVA! (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals)
Another fun site from our friends “across the pond.” This U.K. activist organization has a brand new youth section at: www.viva.org.uk/Youth.htm.

P.I.G.S., a Sanctuary
P.I.G.S. is a sanctuary for neglected, abused, and abandoned pot-bellied pigs (and other animals).Their site is ultra-cute and informative. Lots of adorable photos! www.pigs.org/.

The Vegetarian Youth Network
This is a grassroots, Web-based organization run entirely by and for veggie youth. The network provides both online and offline resources. Lotsa stuff here!: www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/4482/

The Vegetarian Resource Group
This site has more info on vegetarianism than you can shake a stick at, but the “veggie game” is the most fun.To play, go to www.vrg.org/game/

The Elephant Sanctuary
This sanctuary is an amazing, one-of-a-kind 117-acre refuge for retired circus and zoo elephants. Learn more about this wonderful place and the elephants who live there by going to www.elephants.com/

Veg Source
Chat to your heart’s content with other animal rights-minded youth.Type in www.vegsource.org/wwwboard/teen/wwwboard.html

Teen Vegetarian
This site, written entirely by and for veggie teens, features recipes, book reviews, places to shop, and places to chat: www.geocities.com/HotSprings/2657/

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"No Animals in Here" Lunch Bag If your idea of a BLT is bagel, lettuce, and tofu, our sturdy insulated lunch bag is perfect for packing your veggie sandwich. It’s reusable, washable, and better for the environment than throwaway paper bags. But be warned! The curious may be tempted to taste your lunch when they spot the message on your bag and decide their turkey doesn’t seem so tasty any more. AT210 $7.95 PETA Logo Frisbee $ Water Bottle If you have a frisbee-lovin’ hound, here’s your chance to give your pooch a workout while showing support for PETA at the same time (be sure and throw it low to the ground to avoid back injuries)! We’ve also included a water bottle to make sure that both you and your companion get the refreshment you need (turn frisbee over and fill with water for your dog). CA140 $6.00 Sneaker Stickers Tell the world that there’s no skin in those shoes with PETA’s colorful stickers. Available in four styles, these removable reusable plastic stickers are the perfect accent for nonleather shoes, books, backpacks, and jackets. Fake/Animal Lib STK101 PETA/Animals Are Not Ours to Wear STK102 $1.00 "PETA Rules" Ruler Our new “PETA Rules” kids’ ruler measures up for the animals! RUL100 $1.00 "No Animals in Here" Lunch Bag 101 Easy Things to Do by Ingrid Newkirk This book is full of fascinating animal facts, whimsical drawings, and more than 100 projects and ideas that show young activists how they can get active for animals. Ages 8-13. 256 pages, paperback. BK205 $6.99

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Sunshine Rider: The First Vegetarian Western
by Ric Lynden Hardman
Yeah, we know the title is goofy, but this book is a lot of fun. Set in 1881, it follows the adventures of 17-year-old Wylie Jackson, who joins a cattle drive as a cook but quickly moves up to horse thief, hustler, and, well, not actually a doctor, but he could play one on TV. A kooky mixture of humor and the harsh reality of a steer’s fate. You may think twice about your next trip to McDonald’s after reading this one.

Ratzo
by Marty Crisp
While digging for dinosaur bones in the desert, 13-year-old Josh Marks discovers a shed full of abandoned greyhounds. Josh makes friends with one of the dogs, Ratzo, and nurses him back to health, learning a lot about how Ratzo ended up where he did along the way. If you thought that greyhound racing was a wholesome family pastime, you’ll think again.

The Secret of NIMH
by Robert C. O’Brien
“NIMH” sounds like some sci-fi planet, but the rats in this story come from a place that is actually a little closer to home. We won’t tell you too much for fear of giving away the “secret” of the title, but let’s just say that this tale of imperiled mice and smart rats ain’t no Stuart Little. It’s been more than 25 years since this book came out, but you should still be able to scrounge it up at your local library or used bookstore. (If all else fails, you can rent the video based on the book.) You’ll be glad you did!

To find out more about these books, go to the Children’s/Young People’s section of the PETA Bookstore at http://www.peta-online.org/bookstor/kids.html.