peta2Flickr / cc

While there’s an obvious flaw in this competition, since Isaiah is disqualified from entry (nepotism, schmepotism), you should still check out PETA Kids’ Cutest Vegetarian Kid Contest and vote for your favorite tyke.

In addition to being pretty freakin’ cute, these kids have all gotten an early start on animal advocacy, from sharing vegan food with their friends to saving cicadas to sponsoring rescued animals at local sanctuaries. Read all about them at PETAKids.com and vote, then consider following in their considerable footsteps by taking a night off from SYTYCD and organizing a demonstration, joining PETA’s Action Team, or drafting a couple of letters to animal abusers.

Order a free copy today!

Jealous, hungry, inspired. That’s what I felt the instant I started paging through PETA’s new Kids’ Guide to Helping Animals, the free magazine from PETA that will help kids channel their passion for animals into easy everyday actions.

Jealous—because as an animal-loving kid with no idea how to put that to good use, I spent a lot of time crying at Old Yeller and missed out on tons of opportunities to make a real difference (and yes, in case you have any doubts, kids can make a difference). Designed for the not-quite-tween, the Kids’ Guide has tips and tricks for all aspects and phases of a kid’s school and social life. From what to do if your school is planning a field trip to the zoo to cruelty-free shopping tips.

Hungry—because of the luscious photos of vegan snack goodness (and because it’s close to lunchtime).

Inspired—to provide my son with as many opportunities as possible to make choices that will help cultivate his innate sense of compassion. Sure, he can’t read yet, but it’s never too early to start talking about helping animals!

One of my esteemed colleagues sent me this video today. It was so cute that I had to share.

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Does your child dread going back to school? After months of playing with the dog or cat, swimming, and tabling at fairs and festivals, sitting in math class probably doesn’t sound like much fun. Perhaps you can help “ease the pain” by encouraging him or her to look at it as an opportunity to teach other kids about animal rights issues. That will make any blossoming activist eager to get back to class.

Here are six easy ways that students can help animals. Show them to your child or tween and urge him or her to come up with other ideas—after math class, of course!

1. Decorate your locker and folders with free animal rights stickers from PETA—that way you’re spreading the message every time you’re at school or in class. You can even order PETAKids stencils to design a T-shirt or backpack.

2. Homework isn’t all bad. If you have to write an essay or give an oral report, why not incorporate animal rights issues, such as animal testing, spaying and neutering, or vegetarianism, into the assignment? Your classmates—and your teacher—can learn a lot from you.

3. Set up a donation jar in class (with the teacher’s permission) and encourage other students to put their change from lunch in the jar. When it’s full, give the money to a local animal shelter with a nice note signed by all the students.

4. Ask your teacher if your class can do one of the activities in the Share the World humane education program.

5. If your school carnival or fair has contests that give away goldfish as prizes, get a group of caring students together and politely complain to the principal. Explain that a frightened, lonely goldfish is no prize, and suggest stuffed animals as prizes instead.

6. Say “No!” to mystery meat. For lunch, pack a sandwich made with vegetarian deli slices from Yves or Tofurky slices. Fake meats are sold in most grocery stores now. When friends ask what you have for lunch, tell them proudly.

For “extra credit,” ask the school lunch server to offer more vegetarian meals. Circulate a petition to show that other students want healthy, humane fare. PETA’s youth division, peta2, has a pack of resources to help you out. You may want to ask your mom or dad to help out too.

For more ideas, activities, success stories, quizzes, facts, and jokes, check out 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals.

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. Check out more tips on traveling with Rover on DivineCaroline.

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!

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!

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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

PETA’s Mom of the Year:
Andrea Kahn Eisenberg!

Happy Mother’s Day and a big congratulations to Andrea Kahn Eisenberg, who’s just been named PETA’s first-ever Mom of the Year! I hope I can be half the wonderful influence that she’s been on her family and community. It’s my first Mother’s Day as a mother, and I’m a little wigged out about getting cards and coupons in the mail for things like massages and haircuts (do moms really have time for fun like that?), but I won’t say “No” to breakfast in bed (hint, hint!).

Our Campaigns Department has been hammering away at our anti–seal slaughter campaign this spring—and even though seals have scored a big victory this week, the details of the slaughter would break any mother’s heart.

Since animal moms get the short end of the stick in our world, I thought I’d take a few minutes to remind our dear readers that some of the best moms in the world are found in the animal kingdom. Check out the following animal moms:

• Seals: Human mothers tuned in to “Channel Mom” may find themselves responding to anybody’s child when they hear someone calling the “M” word, but seals never make this mistake. Fresh from foraging for food, moms have to find their young quickly in a sea of hundreds—or possibly thousands—of seals, so both mother and pup depend on their uncanny powers of vocal recognition to find one another. Both will call out and answer, responding selectively to one another until they are reunited.

• Elephants: The TLC that these mammoth mothers bestow on their babies is among their most endearing qualities. Always ready to give an affectionate caress, a gentle nudge in the right direction, or a cool bath to help their babies beat the heat, doting moms maintain constant touch with their young ones, never allowing them to stray too far from their side. Mothers even stay in touch with their adult kids and enjoy close relationships with their daughters that can last up to 50 years.

• Cows: For cows and their calves, it’s love at first sight. The first minutes after birth are spent developing a bond that will last a lifetime. Throughout life, mother and child maintain social contact and regularly enjoy each other’s companionship. Their attachment and affection for each other is so deep that if they are forced apart, they both suffer severe stress. Moms have been known to escape their enclosures and travel for miles looking for their calves.

• Dolphins: Dolphins are known for graceful synchronized swimming, but dolphin mothers and their babies also synchronize their breathing for the first few weeks following the babies’ birth. These dedicated moms may nurse their young for up to 10 years and will also mentor less experienced females by allowing them to babysit as practice for when they have babies of their own.

• Cheetahs: Let’s hear it for single moms! These lightning-fast felines have their paws full caring for their cubs all on their own. Not only does mom protect her children from predators while she is nursing them, she also hunts for them from the time they are weaned until they are 14 to 18 months old. Overly active offspring can make the task of hunting even harder: Cubs often scare hunted animals away with their animated antics, leaving mom so worn out that she sometimes falls asleep in the middle of a hunt.

• Chickens: Nurturing begins in the nest for these caring moms. Mother hens will turn their eggs as many as five times an hour and cluck softly to their unborn chicks, who chirp back to her and to one another from within their shells! Once chicks hatch, devoted moms use their wings to shield their babies from predators and have been known to refuse to leave their nests during a fire if they have newly hatched peeps.

This Mother’s Day, please take a moment to recognize the unique bond between mothers and children of all species. For more tips on practicing kindness and compassion in honor of all animal moms, check out more PETA Living articles.

Enter to win!

Whether you are just getting started or a seasoned animal rights activist, The Animal Activist’s Handbook: Maximizing Our Positive Impact in Today’s World, co-authored by PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich, is an essential addition to any animal rights library.

The authors, Matt Ball and Bruce Friedrich, have dedicated their lives to ending animal suffering and building a ground-up case for reasoned and impassioned activism that makes the most difference possible.

Ten lucky winners will receive The Animal Activist’s Handbook. Just enter by April 30. Enter to win now!

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The following post is a guest post by PETA Files writer, Amy Elizabeth.

Digging through tax records, deciphering difficult directions, and struggling with simple math totally sucks. What doesn’t suck? The tax refund that results from this headache. Whether your tax refund is already in the bank or somewhere in the mail, here are some cool and cruelty-free things to do with that extra coin:

1. Take the tribe on a trip. Nothing says “Thanks for being such an awesome deduction” like taking your dependents (er, kids) on a little family vacation. Getting great rates on hotels, cruises, and travel packages is as easy as joining the PETA Member Advantage Program. Plan your animal-friendly vacation by clicking here.

2. Buy a house. A doghouse, that is. Think the housing market is bad? Try being an outdoor dog. Every year, PETA builds and delivers hundreds of sturdy doghouses filled with straw for dogs whose guardians won’t let them inside. Help us help dogs by sponsoring one of these doghouses. And don’t worry—we’re all about fixed dogs, not fixed rates …

3. Purge and splurge. Are there products that blind bunnies in your cabinets—or skeletons in your closet? Make over your make-up bag with cruelty-free cosmetics and personal-care products. Lose the gruesome garb (leather, wool, and fur) and stock-up on stylin’ synthetics instead. While you’re at it, get rid of those stirrup pants and that tired “U Can’t Touch This” T-shirt. They may not be cruel to animals, but they are cruel to anyone who has to see you in them.

4. Plan a little R&R (romantic romp) at a B&B. Looking for something more stimulating to do with your refund or stimulus check? We’ve got you covered. From Victorian mansions to cozy cabins and oh-so-unique yurts (you haven’t lived until you’ve loved in a yurt), you’ll find your perfect getaway on our list of vegetarian-friendly bed and breakfasts.

5. Earn your wings (and a tax deduction for next year). Resist the urge to blow your money on a butterfly tramp stamp. Help real animals instead! Donate to PETA today.

PS If you didn’t get a tax refund, don’t worry—hugs (and copies of our “Vegetarian Starter Kit“) are still free …