You don’t have to leave your principles behind when you go away this summer. Here are some tips to help you have a good time on vacation—but not at animals’ expense:

1. Enjoy Animal-Friendly Attractions: Marine parks, zoos, and other animal exhibits aren’t fun for captive animals. Avoid these deadly destination spots like you’d avoid poison ivy. Instead, visit a sanctuary for rescued farmed animals, go to an animal-free circus like Cirque du Soleil, book an eco-tour, or simply take a trip to the beach or botanical gardens.

2. Bring Your Appetite Along: A vacation is a great opportunity to savor new vegetarian cuisine. See VegCooking.com for information about vegetarian-friendly restaurants around the U.S. If you’re traveling abroad and are concerned about a language barrier, pack a Vegan Passport, a passport-size booklet explaining in 56 languages that you want a cruelty-free vegetarian meal.

3. Go Road-Tripping With Rover: Your dog likely gets left behind when you go to work or school. Spend some quality time together on the road. Just don’t fly Fido in an airplane cargo hold—it’s too dangerous. Click here for tips on what to bring on a road-trip and how to keep your best buddy safe and comfy.

4. Be a Hero Everywhere You Go: Stray and abused animals don’t get to take a break from suffering, so please don’t take a vacation from helping them. Before you depart on your journey, visit WorldAnimalNet.org for a list of law enforcement agencies, veterinarians, and animal protection organizations near your destination. Pack a small rescue kit, including a pop-top can of cat food, dog treats, and a leash. Take stray animals to a reputable shelter or have them checked out by a local veterinarian and bring them home with you, if possible.

5. Save Animals While Saving Money: For the best rates on hotels, cruises, and tour packages, join the free PETA Member Advantage Program™. All purchases made through the program result in a donation to PETA.

Bon voyage!

“Cruelty-free” and “vegan” are not adjectives that typically pop into the minds of compassionate shoppers when they think of L’Oreal, as the company has yet to sign PETA’s statement of assurance that it will never test new ingredients on animals. However, things seem to be changing with the cosmetics giant as it realizes that more and more caring consumers want only bunny-approved products in their medicine cabinets.

Introducing the Ever Pure hair-care line by L’Oreal. With “100% Vegan” emblazoned on the front, these botanical, sulfate-free products come in formulas for every hair type: whether you need to tame frizzies, moisturize dry hair, or infuse volume in fine tresses. L’Oreal indicates on the back of its Ever Pure products that they are not tested on animals.

We are thrilled to see that L’Oreal is focusing on vegan products and hope that it will make the compassionate decision to enact a cruelty-free policy that encompasses all its products. Please take a moment to write to L’Oreal to thank it for marketing products that compassionate people want. Politely ask the company to apply Ever Pure’s cruelty-free philosophy to all its products by signing PETA’s statement of assurance.

The following is a post by PetMD, provided by DivineCaroline.

While we may not be able to roll back the global warming trend, there are easier, softer ways to treat parasites, and ways in which we can avoid some of the pests.

A lot of people are reluctant to use chemical flea treatments because of the possibility of a toxic reaction with the skin. “If it isn’t safe for my children, how can it be safe for my pet,” they ask. Unless it is a full blown flea infestation, you may have good results by using gentler and safer methods for flea eradication and control.

For dogs, a daily dose of brewer’s yeast mixed with a small amount of garlic in their kibble will help to repel fleas. You can also add brewer’s yeast to your cat’s food, but omit the garlic (onions and garlic are toxic for cats). Fleas are also known to be repelled by citrus. A freshly squeezed orange or lemon can be rubbed onto your pet’s fur, with no harm to your pet if it is licked off, and fresh smelling fur to boot.

Remember the old cartoons where dogs would jump into water to relieve themselves of fleas? Water really does work. Since fleas do not grasp onto the hair shafts, they fall off in the water and drown. A good dip in a tub of water will wash away most, if not all of the fleas on your pet. Using a gentle shampoo, or a little bit of dish liquid, perhaps one with a citrus base (fleas are repelled by lemon and orange), along with thorough and regular brushing, will go a long way toward ridding your pet’s body of fleas.

Around the house, vacuuming, laundering, and disinfecting the floors and your pet’s living spaces will help to control the population of fleas (just make sure you do not use products with volatile organic compounds). In the yard, you might consider adding a natural predator of fleas. Nematodes are small worms that feed off of flea larva, and are easy to find at garden stores or pet shops. Keep in mind that the type of nematode that is being recommended here is termed a “beneficial” nematode. It is not the type that is known for infecting animals as heartworm.

Ticks hang out in tall grass and use the opportunity to grab on to passersby when they feel body warmth. If you are going to be spending time in wooded or grassy areas with your dog, you might want to fashion some cover-up clothing for your dog to avoid ticks.
An old t-shirt can be altered to fit your dog’s body, and old socks can be cut to make “leg warmers.” This may not entirely prevent ticks from making their way onto your dog, but it keep most of them off since they have nothing to latch onto, and will slow the rest down so they do not spend as much time on your dog’s skin.

Because ticks carry dangerous bacteria, repelling them is a priority. One of the natural repellents that a lot of people have success with is rose geranium oil, which can be applied to your dog’s collar. Don’t use this on your cat, though, they are notorious for bad reactions with essential oils. With ticks, the best thing you might do it to check your pet a few times a day when you are in an area that has ticks, and remove them promptly. Proper technique is important for removing ticks and fleas, so make sure that you are acquainted before you do it yourself.

Now that you have a few alternate means of combating fleas and ticks, you can feel confident that your pets will remain bug-free throughout the year.

For people concerned about animals and our environment, it can be tricky finding household products that won’t tarnish your conscience while you clean your house. Attitude makes it easy, with a line of high-performance fabric- and dish-care products, surface cleaners, and air purifiers that are both green and cruelty-free. We are giving four lucky winners a green and clean gift pack from Attitude!

Attitude believes that for a product to be considered eco-friendly, it has to minimize the impact it has on users’ health and the environment throughout the entire life cycle of the product—from production to disposal. The company accomplishes this for its own products by using renewable plant- and mineral-based sources, recyclable packaging, and ingredients that are biodegradable and nontoxic—and without using animal testing. The company is the first to offer a line of household cleaning products that are both eco-friendly certified and carbon neutral.

PETA has chosen to recognize Attitude with a Trailblazer Award for its outstanding commitment to both quality and compassion. You can find Attitude products at Jewel-Osco and Whole Foods Market stores, or you can order them online.

Enter to Win an Attitude Starter Gift Pack!
Fill out the form below by July 26 and you may win one of four starter gift packs with a selection of great Attitude products—including dishwashing liquid, automatic dishwasher detergent, natural air purifier, all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, laundry detergent, fabric softener, and a reusable tote bag—a $50 value! We will let you know if you are a winner by July 27.

When you’re known as the “animal person” among your friends, you tend to get some interesting phone calls. Just the other week, one of my kindhearted friends called me because she had found a baby bird in her yard and wanted to know what she should do. After a couple of pointers, she was able to help the little guy on his way.

It’s the time of year when baby birds are leaving their nests, so chances are good that either you or someone you know will come across a little tweeter hopping around on the ground. As tempting as it is to rush in and scoop the baby up, it’s important to remember that most fledglings don’t need our help. They’re probably just going through “flight training”—the period of time when they’re on the ground and learning how to fly—and their parents are likely nearby, keeping a close watch on the little one.

So before you get involved, make sure the birdie truly is injured or in danger. If not, your well-meaning “help” will do more harm than good! The following are some questions to consider to determine if the baby really needs help and some tips on what to do if the baby does:

• What do the bird’s feathers look like? Fledglings who are going through flight training have a mixture of fuzzy down and new feathers at first. Their backs often look fuzzy, while their wings are beginning to get longer pinions, or flight feathers. If the bird is fuzzy on the back and has feathered wings, or is mostly feathered, leave him or her alone.

• If the baby is completely fuzzy, or totally naked, he or she needs help back up to the nest (don’t worry, your scent won’t keep the parents away). If you can’t reach the nest, make one from a berry basket, kitchen strainer, or small plastic container with holes punched in the bottom and filled with shredded tissue. Hang it in a sheltered spot near the original nest.

• Is the bird injured? Flyers in training hop about, take short, stilted flights of a foot or two, and quite often fall flat on their chins. You may even see the initial dive as the rookie leaves the nest and falls to the ground.

• Do you see any blood or broken bones? If you see blood, a wing that can’t be folded properly or doesn’t move at all, or an easily visible broken leg (as opposed to the usual hopping movements of a bird this age), contact your local animal shelter or wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Keep in mind, though, that babies often tire easily or sprain their muscles when they first start. They will then hold quite still while they rest. If after 30 minutes to an hour, the baby is still lethargic or immobile, he or she needs your help.

• If you see any baby animal who is obviously injured or whose mother has been killed, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Your local animal shelter can probably provide their phone numbers, or you can check out our Web page on locating a rehabilitator.

• Keep in mind that it’s illegal in most states to care for birds unless you have a rehabilitation permit, so please contact a wildlife rehabilitation center and transport the animal for care as soon as possible.

For more tips on how to help baby birds and other wildlife, please visit our wildlife emergencies page. Thanks for being “tweet” to baby birds!

If the Veg Cooking Blog’s recent contest for the ice cream recipe book The Vegan Scoop left you thinking, “Who wants ice cream with jalapeños in it?” or “I prefer alcohol in a cocktail, not in my ice cream, thank you,” then we have a new ice cream contest that is perfect for you.

Lick It! Creamy Dreamy Vegan Ice Creams Your Mouth Will Love is the kid-friendly ice cream recipe book that has something for everyone. It contains more than 200 recipes for completely dairy-free ice creams and frozen treats that are made from natural ingredients. Sure, there are some gourmet flavors, but the real stars of this cookbook are the traditional ice cream flavors that can be used in pies, cakes, sundaes, shakes, and more!

Now is your chance to win one of five free copies of Lick It! Creamy Dreamy Vegan Ice Creams Your Mouth Will Love!

To enter, just tell us which classic ice cream flavor is your favorite and why:

a) Chocolate
b) Vanilla
c) Strawberry
d) Neapolitan
e) Other

The contest ends on July 20, and five winners will be chosen at random by July 24. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you’re agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!

PETA recently became partners with the online information hub for women: Divine Caroline.

Divine Caroline is a lifestyle site for women, by women. It is fueled by stories, information, and the personal experiences of experts and everyday people.

We will be posting our articles there as well as continuing to post on PETA Living, but on our Divine Caroline page, you will also be able to check out our product reviews and other helpful ways to share animal-friendly tips and information.
Divine Caroline is free to join, read, write, start forums, and pass things along to your friends. Check out our profile, and if you have your own already, become our friend!

Order now!

Do you want to advocate for animals but aren’t sure how to begin? Have you ever wished that you had a step-by-step, issue-by-issue, easy-to-follow animal rights guide that would make PETA proud? Whether you are a seasoned activist or someone who is just getting started, you should check out PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk’s new book: The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights: Simple Acts of Kindness to Help Animals in Trouble.

In this book, you will learn all about how PETA began, how to eat healthfully and compassionately, and how to switch to cruelty-free cosmetics and clothing, and you’ll find many more suggestions for living an animal-friendly lifestyle.

This book invites you to become the best advocate for animals that you can possibly be. This is animal rights the PETA way.

Enter to win a copy of The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights! Just leave a short comment below telling us what you do to help animals. Five winners will be chosen at random. The contest ends on July 21, and we’ll contact the winners by July 27. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you’re agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!

Elisabeth: “Go with me on difficult journeys.
Everything is easier for me if you are there.
Remember, I love you.”

People all over the country have been touched by the incredible story of Brittney, a 9-year-old bulldog in Michigan who recently saved her 39-year-old guardian’s life by barking to wake him up and alert him to a fire in the house. The poignant twist to this story is that just days after the fire, Brittney’s guardian, Scott Seymore, decided to have her euthanized. Brittney had been recently diagnosed with advanced cancer, and her health was rapidly deteriorating.

Brittney is being hailed as a hero for saving Scott’s life, and she certainly is one. But there is another hero in this story: Scott. He made the painful (for him) but compassionate (to her) decision to set his beloved companion free from her pain. According to a news article, after the fire, Scott “said he realized the only way left to demonstrate his love and appreciation for [Brittney]—dying with an advanced blood-borne cancer—was to end her suffering.”

I’ve had to make this same, heart-wrenching decision twice—first, with my beloved childhood dog, Katie, and recently, with the coolest cat in the world, Molly. It’s never easy. But I’m comforted in knowing that, when their time came, I didn’t let my loyal companions suffer, and their passing from this world was painless and peaceful. The last thing each of them heard were the words “I love you” whispered in their ears.

It’s no fun to think about the inevitable, but Scott and Brittney’s story is a touching reminder that our animals count on us to do what’s best for them, even when that means making difficult decisions. I encourage you to plan ahead and make a promise to your animals that you will never prolong their suffering just because it’s hard and scary to say “Goodbye.”

When animals are very old, ill, or suffering with little hope of recovery and they can no longer enjoy life, the kindest thing that we can do is set them free from suffering through euthanasia. According to a recent USA Today article, many animal guardians are opting to have a veterinarian euthanize their companion animals at home, where they are most comfortable, rather than at a veterinarian’s office. This can be an added solace to both you and your animal during a difficult time. To learn more about the euthanasia process, check out PETA’s euthanasia factsheet and article on the loss of an animal companion.

None of us knows what tomorrow will bring, so my advice is this: Plan ahead now for the inevitable. Cherish every slobbery doggie kiss and contented kitty purr. Love your animals like crazy, and don’t have any regrets.

maximumpc / cc

During these bumpy financial times, we are all looking to save a little green, and really, who couldn’t use a little help making dollars go further? To help keep you on your budget, we’ve put together a list of special offers for cruelty-free shopping.

After all, when we are able to pinch a few pennies here and there, we are often more able to put our extra resources into helping animals.

Check out these special offers from stores such as Target, Best Bath Store, Sears, Delia’s, and many more! In addition to these great offers, sign up for the PETA Living E-News. We’ll send information about contests for free goods and updates on the latest deals straight to your in-box.

Check out these special offers:

Beauty and Personal Care

20% off Cruelty-Free Contact Lens Solution From Clear Conscience
Use the coupon code below and get 20% off your purchase of cruelty-free contact lens solution from Clear Conscience.
Coupon Code: PETA ROCKS
Offer Expires: July 31, 2009

Save 15% OFF Your Entire Purchase at Best Bath Store
Treat yourself to cruelty-free bath and body care from Best Bath Store and take 15% off your entire order.
Coupon Code: PETA1508
Offer Expires: June 23, 2009

Get 10% off All Orders With Max Green Alchemy
Shop now with the 2008 PETA Proggy Award winner for Best Cruelty-Free Personal-Care Products!
Coupon Code: PETA8
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009

10% off Natracare Items From A Different Daisy
Coupon Code: natracare3
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009

Discount on Kiss My Face Toothpaste From A Different Daisy
Use this coupon code and get a tube (regularly priced at $5.39) for $4.50
Coupon Code: toothpaste3
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009

Free Lip Balm From My Lip Stuff
Buy any 12 tubes of My Lip Stuff lip balm and get one free!
Coupon Code: PETAfree (enter code and flavor choice in the comments section)
Offer Expires: December 31, 2009

Receive 15% off Your Entire First Order at Makeup Junky Cosmetics
Take 15% off your first order of cruelty-free mineral make-up from Makeup Junky.
Coupon Code: PETA07

Clothing and Accessories

15% OFF Your Order at Alternative Outfitters
Take 15% off your entire order from cruelty-free fashion retailer Alternative Outfitters. That includes sale and clearance items as well!
Coupon Code: 15peta
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009
*You may only use one coupon code per order. Your order subtotal (not including shipping or tax) must be $25 or more to qualify.

Free Shipping From eBags
Order using this link to receive a discount. eBags offers a wide selection of cruelty-free bags. Not all products are cruelty-free, so check the materials before you buy.
Benefit to PETA: 9% donated to PETA
Offer Expires: None

Free Shipping From dELiA’s
Order using this link to receive a discount.
Customers who shop at dELiA’s and spend more than $75 on orders will receive free shipping.
Valid Through: March 2012

Home Items

Get 15% OFF When You Spend $125 on Select Furniture at Target.com
Order using this link to receive a discount.
Benefit to PETA: 7 % donated to PETA
Offer Expires: June 20, 2009

Get $5 OFF When You Spend $50 or More at Sears.com
Sears.com now carries a large variety of cruelty-free cleaning products, like Seventh Generation and method. Get $5 off when you spend $50 or more.
Coupon Code: SWELCOME05008
Benefit to PETA: 2% donated to PETA
Offer Expires: None

Take $3 off Your First Order From BuyKind.com!
Order to-the-door delivery from renowned, award-winning vegan restaurants.
Coupon Code: PETA07

Save 10% on Good Home Company Cleaning Products
Take 10% off of your home-cleaning product order. The discount does not apply to shipping.
Coupon Code: PETA06 (enter in the comments section).

10% Off Your Order From Universol Aromas
Take 10% off your order with this cruelty-free manufacturing company, which makes candles that are 100% soy.
Coupon Code: PETA08
Offer Expires: December 31, 2009

Companion Animal Food

PetFoodDirect—Save 10% OFF Your Entire Order
PetFoodDirect offers a lot of cruelty-free suppliers, including PetGuard, Evangers, Halo, and Natural Balance!
Coupon Code: PERFOOD
Benefit to PETA: 8% donated to PETA
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009

Get 5% Off Your First Order With Only Natural Pet Store
Save 5% on your first order with holistic companion animal supply company Natural Pet.
Coupon Code: PTBIZ42 (enter code and flavor choice in the comments section)
Offer Expires: December 31, 2009