"Why?" That was the response I received each time I told someone that I was going to intern at PETA this summer. They were apprehensive that I would be thrust into a world of crazed, paint-throwing vegans, but I assured them that I'd be working for a great cause with passionate—and, yes, completely normal—individuals. So, ready to fight for animal rights, I hopped on a plane and was transported to a world of animals, exciting work, and great food. Here are a few highlights from my month-long stint as an intern:

• My very first demonstration was against UniverSoul circus, which unwisely decided to set up shop here in Norfolk, Virginia. When I arrived at the venue and saw the dejected tigers lying in their cramped cages, I realized just how important this protest would be.
• At the office, not only did I get to play with all our canine friends, I was also able to work on creative research projects, speak with enthusiastic activists, and finally have a legitimate reason to go on Facebook and MySpace!

• I got to travel! Before I knew it, I was packing my handbag and heading out to Coney Island for a demonstration on the opening night of Ringling Bros. Circus. We set up directly in front of the entrance to the enormous blue and yellow striped tents—where countless animals suffer for "entertainment"—and proceeded to capture the attention of every circusgoer who walked past us. I was touched when one couple came up to me to learn more about the ways circuses often beat their "animal performers" and then decided to turn around and deny Ringling their business!

• I also got to protest the grand opening of a McDonald's in Virginia Beach. Even though the owner offered us cheeseburgers and turned the sprinklers on us, it was great to see everyone's animated response to our presence—not to mention our "chicken," who danced around and hugged children.

My PETA internship was one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences an animal lover could have because, in the end, it's all about the animals. Oh, and the delicious vegan lunches that were served every day didn't hurt either!

Posted by Sarah Hamshari

Canada is celebrating its birthday today, and people around the globe just don't think it's fair. The country that kills hundreds of thousands of seals each year, most of whom haven't even seen their first birthday, gets to throw a big shindig? No way, hoser.

To let Canada know that the rest of the world will not be celebrating in honor of anything Canadian until the seal slaughter ends, people gathered today at Canadian consulates and embassies for demonstrations. They even protested at parades. Check it out:

If Canada is your "home and native land," take a minute and sign our Facebook petition, tweet at Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and send an e-mail to the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee. Let your fellow Canadians know that the seal slaughter must end.

Posted by Shawna Flavell

Ugh. It's that time of year again. With the mercury dipping and the holidays just around the corner, flurries of cold-hearted fur hags are starting to be seen on the social scene (that famous footage of Bigfoot was actually an opera buffa walking off the effects of her Pomtini). It's also the time of year when people who care about animals must shift into high gear and take fur hags to task for parading about in pelts.

Here's how you can help. No matter who you are, no matter how shy or inhibited you are, always say something, anything to people who wear fur. The fact is that there are Cruellas in this world who simply don't have empathy for animals. They only care about themselves, and the only way to get them to stop wearing fur is to shame them. So, figure out what type of fur foe you are and proceed from there:

A. The Bashful Fur Basher. Love animals but hate conflict? After you politely ask if they're wearing the real deal, lay on the guilt trip by saying something like, "That's a shame that so many animals had to be killed for your coat," and hand them a fur card or leaflet. If you're really, really painfully shy, take a move from the passive-aggressive playbook and start up a conversation within hearing distance about the gruesome fur industry. Even a pretend conversation on your cell phone!

B. The Fierce Fur Foe. Have a hard time hiding your disgust when you see people draped in animal hides? Don't fight it, use it. First, initiate a conversation about fur by asking them if they're wearing a genuine dead animal or a fabulous faux. Or take my favorite approach and make a date with a friend to leaflet where fur wearers may be hanging out (fur salons, shopping malls, symphonies, ballets, operas, and other theatrical events) just to remind them how coldhearted they really are. E-mail ATeam@peta.org to get involved with leafleting events in your hometown.

When leafleting in winter, it's important to wear a warm coat. If you don't have a coat made of babies (to remind people that fur coats are also made of baby animals), then you could try wearing a parka.

C. The "Hell Hath No Fury" Fur Foe. Do you see red when you spy someone wearing fur? Go with it. Heck, don't even bother asking if it's real—what are they doing supporting a look that kills anyway?! Open up that can of "whoop-ass" you've been saving for a special occasion and take out your pent-up aggression on someone who deserves it. We're not recommending the "LiLo flour power" type of action here, but saying something like, "How did you get the blood out of your coat?" or even yelling, "Fur Shame!" won't hurt.

Creative signs can also help shame heartless fur hags.

Need more encouragement? Remember: bros before fur hos. Think about the hungry foxes in a den crying for a mother who will never come home; the snow-covered minks shivering in cramped, exposed wire cages on fur farms; and the rabbits howling like human babies as their skin is ripped from their bodies. Being heartbroken is not enough, so get out there today and let fur-wearers know that they are supporting one of the most violent, bloody industries on the planet. And for the love of all that is furry—please make sure that your sign is facing the right way!

Posted by Amy Elizabeth

I’m actually going to leave this in the capable hands of the good folks at Deadspin. Best title for an article ever. Check it out.