In Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde, which was just released on DVD, Reese Witherspoon’s character, Elle, and her dog, Bruiser, head to Washington, D.C., to campaign for a ban on cosmetics tests on animals. A perfectly coiffed and manicured advocate for animals, the smart and beautiful Elle resolutely declares, “I’m here to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.” With the passion of one person who knows that she can make a difference, Elle explains, “Animal testing for cosmetics is unjust. The cost of beauty is much too high.” In yet another scene, Elle walks into a beauty salon declaring that she’d called ahead of time to ensure that the salon used “PETA-approved products.”

Product testing on animals, which includes blinding rabbits and poisoning dogs, rabbits, cats, and other animals, is still legal, and some big-name companies, like Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Johnson & Johnson, still use and abuse animals in cruel product tests.

But you don’t have to be a sorority sister to help end animal testing. You can help spread the word about the cruel and unnecessary animal tests performed by companies such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Clairol, and more simply by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. It’s so easy!

And, if you send a copy of your printed letter to Ann Marie Giunti at PETA, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510, or AnnMarieG@peta.org, you’ll be entered in a contest to win your very own DVD of Legally Blonde 2.* Oh, my God, is that cool or what?!

*Three lucky winners will be chosen. Please submit your printed letters no later than March 1, 2004. Thank you.