Newsflash: Cows on dairy farms aren't happy. In fact, they are quite the opposite.

So how is it that the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) can continue to claim that the "best" cheese comes from California's supposedly ecstatic cows?

You know the ads—the one with a handful of free-roaming, robust cows cavorting sassily under a cheerful California sky? Apparently we're expected to believe that all cows used on dairy farms in California look like this …

theinspirationroom / CC

… as opposed to this:

In the past, we've had some choice words on the subject of California's supposedly happy cows. In 2002, PETA filed suit against the CMAB for false advertising—but the California Supreme Court refused to hear the case on the grounds that as a government agency, the CMAB can’t be sued for violating California state advertising laws.*

But we kept fighting the good fight against the CMAB's false advertising with a series of "Unhappy Cow" demonstrations and public service announcements, including a few starring the man himself, animal crusader James Cromwell. And now, on the heels of our most recent undercover investigation inside a dairy farm, the time has come to return to the trenches.

We're filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, calling on it to make the CMAB stop lying to consumers about the way cows on dairy farms are treated. "Happy cow" ads mislead consumers into believing that California dairy cows are pasture raised, free roaming, and grass fed and live in conditions that make them "happy" (i.e., that they are well cared for, content, comfortable, and healthy). In reality, these cows are drugged up, over-milked, and denied even the most basic care. Doesn't sound like a "happy cow" to me.

Posted by Amanda Schinke

*Let's put aside how alarming one might find the idea of a government not subject to regulation.

OK, so puppies and kittens are awfully cute. But piglets can give them a run for their money—as in the case of the seriously adorable Bella, a rescued piglet who is now the face (and curly tail) of Animals Australia's pig advocacy campaign, SaveBabe.com.

This video provides a useful reminder that pigs are smart, social, and even heroic, much like the dogs and cats many of us share our homes with—and we would never even dream of eating them, right? Pigs on factory farms will never enjoy romps and belly rubs as Bella does. Instead, they'll be subjected to constant stress and denied everything that is natural and important to them—or even worse.

So since we're heading into prime cookout season, be sure to cool it with the hot dogs and spare the spare ribs. Check out these great grilling recipes for a sizzling summer barbecue that won't cause any pigs to suffer, even from hurt feelings (unless, of course, you fail to share with them).

P.S. If you watched the video closely, you may have noticed an appearance by James Cromwell, the star of Babe and a longtime friend of PETA and animals. If someone you know doesn't quite "get it" about pigs, you may want to pass along this wonderful pro-pig ad he did for us a while back.

—Jeff

Posted by Jeff Mackey