This week, we wrapped up a successful run alongside Senses Fail on the Renacer tour. For the past month, our tour team has traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast and back again, convincing thousands of people to save animals by giving a vegan diet a try.

Take a look at some of the fun we had along the way!

Real Friends doing what they do best!

peta2 ladies getting ready to save some animals!

Vivian charming the concertgoers

A brave soul enters the peta2 cage to see where meat really comes from!

Rick the rescued tour dog gets some fresh air.

Eric from Real Friends and Vivian in New Jersey

Senses Fail plays to a packed house in NYC!

Hugs and high-fives to our buddies in Senses Fail, Such Gold, Real Friends, and Major League! If you think you have what it takes to tour with peta2, apply today!

A smattering of the hottest metal bands is touring the States! Vans Warped Tour veterans Enter Shikari is in the midst of a U.S. tour with Architects, Heartist, and Crossfaith. Check out all the tour dates here and pick up tickets to support our friends in Architects, who happen to all be vegan and helped us create one of my all-time favorite peta2 ads!

Who are you most excited to see on tour this spring?

It seems as though television’s golden age is upon us again. From addictive teen dramas like the ABC Family series Pretty Little Liars to the long-awaited return of America’s most beloved dysfunctional family on Arrested Development, everyone has an all-consuming, can’t-live-without-it show that makes staying in to watch TV way cooler than going out.

Photo: | CC by 2.0

Arguably the most adored series of all is HBO’s Game of Thrones. Seriously, I have friends who are obsessed! There are conventions, themed parties, fan sites, merchandise, homemade “crafts”—you name it!

Photo: Pop Culture Geek | CC by 2.0

So here’s a little trivia for you diehards: Which award-winning Games of Thrones cast member is saving 100 animals every year by being vegetarian?

If you guessed Tyrion Lannister—also known as Peter Dinklage—you’re right!

As if you needed it, now you have another reason to talk endlessly about Game of Thrones. Check out some of our other favorite vegetarian TV characters!

At peta2, we interact with a lot of people. From answering e-mails about buying vegan food to responding to questions on Twitter, we’re constantly getting feedback—from smiling peta2 supporters and from the not-so-smiley haters.

You may remember some of the “WTF?!” comments from these 14 people … well, now I’d like to present some “Hell, yes!” comments. These are the comments on YouTube, Facebook, the peta2 blog, and more that made my heart go pitter-patter for all the super-rad, animal-loving people out there just like you!

Right now, seals are being bludgeoned to death on the shores of Canada. We asked you to speak up, and here’s what you had to say:

Lolita has been enslaved at the Miami Seaquarium for 43 years. You can help set her free! Help animals online by signing peta2 pledges and spreading the word to friends!

T. Mills is more than just a cutie who can rap! He’s super-passionate about animals and knows that adopting from a shelter is the only way that you should bring an animal into your life. ♥

peta2 bestie Daniella Monet is inspiring fans all over the world to love animals, not eat them!

Gotta love the positive encouragement from fellow Daniella fans:

How good is the vegan food at your school? … What?! You don’t have any vegan food? We can help with that. Join the movement to get a veggie burger at your school!

In order to decide who would win an adorable tee from Hello Apparel, we asked you when you first decided to stop eating animals. Need some inspiration? Check out one of the many great answers!

This last one may not be the nicest comment, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true!

Rise Records post-hardcore band Make Do And Mend has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the hardest working, most sincere bands in punk rock. Years of touring alongside fellow peta2 friends like Hostage Calm, Balance And Composure, and Touché Amoré has solidified the band as a staple in the scene.

We recently caught up with vocalist James Carroll for an intimate performance of “Desert Lily” and to discuss how living a cruelty-free, vegan lifestyle has impacted his life for the better.

I personally believe that living a meat-free, dairy-free diet is the best thing that one can do to improve their own personal health, to improve the health of the world and their economy, the welfare of countless animals—and that’s always been something that’s really weighed heavy on my mind.

—James Carroll

Comment below* telling us why you speak out for animals and be entered to win the Make Do And Mend/The Flatliners split 7-inch bundle.  

*One winner will be chosen at random from submitted animal-friendly comments in which the commenters tell us why they speak out for animals. This contest is open to U.S. residents only. Entries must be received by June 13, 2013. The winner will be notified on June 14, 2013. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Heads up! By commenting here, you're acknowledging that you've read and you agree to our contest terms and conditions and our privacy policy, and you're also agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with those policies as well as to receiving e-mails from us.

I like an animal with a little character, you know? Give him a few years, build up a little character—adopt him.

We recently caught up with Run For Cover Records artist Daylight ahead of the release of their impressive new album, Jar. You can check out a new video premiere on the MTV Buzzworthy blog and catch the Pennsylvania alt-rock quartet on the road this summer with The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die, Pity Sex, and Dads.

The boys of Joplin, Missouri, indie-rock trio Never Shout Never have been hard at work on the band’s fifth studio album, Sunflower, due out July 2 on Loveway Records. Never ones to sit still, Christofer Drew and fellow members Taylor MacFee and Hayden Kaiser are hitting the road this summer to headline the Vans Warped Tour in support of the release, and we’ve got your first look at the album right here!

Listen to an exclusive stream of “Time Traveler Blues” and pre-order Sunflower now!

Always one to speak his mind, Christofer has been speaking up for animals through his relationship with peta2 for years. From acoustic performances to ticket giveaways and even excusive meet and greets, peta2 and Never Shout Never have collaborated on a number of projects all designed to raise awareness for animals and to give you guys—the fans!—something to talk about.

Listen to a brand-new song from Never Shout Never’s upcoming release, Sunflower, and catch the band signing at the peta2 tent all summer on the Vans Warped Tour!

Check out more from Christofer, and enter for a chance to win Warped Tour tickets for the city of your choice!

Sixteen-year-old vegan rocker Samia Najimy Finnerty—daughter of animal activist and actor Kathy Najimy—won over an eager audience last night at famed New York City nightclub Joe’s Pub, where she unveiled her head-turning new PETA ad.

She may be up-and-coming in the music world, but Samia is already a pro when it comes to living cruelty-free. As a vegan, Samia saves the lives of more than 100 animals every year and reduces her carbon footprint by not supporting the toxic meat and dairy industries, which are largely responsible for destroying the planet.

If you’re ready to go all the way (vegan)—get your mind out of the gutter! —check out some of our fave recipe sites for inspiration and sign up to receive free vegan recipes!

This past Monday, the peta2 Warped Tour road crew participated in the second annual Glamour Kills Dodgeball Invitational, holding it down for the animals by competing against almost a dozen teams for the coveted first-place trophy.

What better way to show the world that the animal rights crusaders at peta2 are hardworking, fun-loving, badass vegan athletes than by getting rough and tough with some of the hottest bands on Warped Tour? peta2 friends from Set It Off and Tonight Alive joined us in battle, and after a grueling fight, Australian pop-punk favorites and peta2 besties Tonight Alive took home the gold! Congrats, guys!

From dodgeball games to barbecues, there are tons of ways to speak up for animals this summer. If you think that you have what it takes to join the fight alongside peta2 professionals next summer, apply now to become part of our tour team!

Check out more fun, animal-friendly ways to make the most of your summer vacation!

Fall Out Boy Brand New Blink-182 Memphis May Fire AFI Yellowcard Joan Jett and the Blackhearts The Wonder Years All Time Low Against Me! Pierce The Veil Say Anything Taking Back Sunday Bad Religion GWAR The Devil Wears Prada Bayside Saves The Day Public Enemy Rancid Hostage Calm Andrew W.K. Touche Amore

Holy lineup, Batman! If there’s one festival to attend this fall, it is unquestionably Riot Fest.

What started as a few punk bands in a few Chicago venues has turned into a massive multicity behemoth of a festival. Boasting a lineup that includes one of the most anticipated reunions since Jesse and the Rippers’ Late Night appearance (I’m talking about The Replacements, kiddos—look ‘em up), Riot Fest is ready to take over Chicago, Denver, and Toronto, and peta2 is along for the ride!

After taking a few weeks to recover from our Vans Warped Tour summer, the peta2 tour crew will be back in action at Riot Fest–Chicago, talking to anyone and everyone about animal rights and asking them to GO VEGAN!

Think you have what it takes to tour with peta2? Apply today to start your future with the world’s largest animal rights organization!

You can’t avoid it forever. Summer vacation has been great, but it’s time to part ways. Goodbye, beach days. Hello, new locker combination. Going back to school may seem overwhelming, but don’t panic: We’ll get through this together!

csessums | by CC 2.0

Step 1: Eat Up

When the bell finally rings for lunch, the last thing you need is to get to the cafeteria ready to chow down and discover there are no tasty veggie options. WTF?!

• Get a veggie burger at your school! It’s super-easy, peta2 will help, and you’ll get a free T-shirt out of it. It’s kind of a no-brainer.
• Until the aforementioned veggie burger makes its way to your school, plan ahead and pack your lunch. Try any of these yummy vegan recipes guaranteed to make even meat-eaters ask for a bite.

NOMNOM Lunch Bag

Stay hydrated with an “All Hearts Be Free” Water Bottle.

Step 2: Be Totes Prepared

There’s no easy way to lug around the insane number of books and notebooks needed to get through your school day. You can at least do it in style, though, which is a minor victory not to be taken lightly.

PETA Mission Statement Tote

Vegan Infinity Tote

Step 3: Dress for Success

How you dress says a lot about who you are—what sports team you root for, your favorite bands, your love of cats (I can’t be the only one with cat T-shirts!). Your wardrobe is your way to express what matters to you. Show your friends that what matters to you is peta2. When you buy a new shirt or a cute necklace from peta2, you’ll also be contributing money to the lifesaving work we do for animals. Win-win!

Free for all!

Show love for all animals with the Rats and Pigs Tee.

Let your fashionista shine in this peta2 Heart Crop Top.

Step 4: Start off on the right foot!

Kick off the new school year with cruelty-free, vegan footwear. You wouldn’t wear a nasty fur coat, right? Wearing leather, suede, or other animal skin on your feet is no different. Take our pledge to ditch leather, and check out these awesome vegan alternatives.

peta2 and Macbeth leather-free “Gatsby” shoes

Vegan boots and oxfords

Check out more cruelty-free fashions in the peta2 Summer Lookbook!

The best part about being a teenager is being young, wild, and free, right?! Well, as wild and free as your parents will let you get away with—but definitely young!

Comment to win!

You know who else wants to be wild and free? Animals! Animals deserve to live in the wild or in a reputable sanctuary with their friends and families. They deserve to live long lives in natural environments with open spaces.

• Orcas don’t belong in swimming pools.
• Elephants don’t belong in chains.
• Bears don’t belong in concrete prisons.
• Foxes don’t belong on fur farms.

Show your love for animals with this new “Young, Wild & Free” tee from our friends at Agape Attire! If you don’t win, don’t worry! Just stay tuned because we have more Agape Attire giveaways coming up.

digitalprimate | CC by 2.0

Are you ready to show off your wild side? Leave a comment below telling us why you think animals deserve to be free, and you could be our winner!  

P.S. Don’t forget to include your T-shirt size!

*The winner will be chosen at random from submitted animal-friendly comments in which commenters tell us why they think animals deserve to be free. This contest is open to U.S. residents only. Entries must be received by August 20, 2013. The winner will be notified on August 21, 2013. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Heads up! By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with our privacy policy as well as to receiving e-mails from us.

The best part about being involved with peta2 isn’t drooling over the sexy vegetarian celebrities or trying the tasty vegan recipes (although those are cool, too!)—it’s knowing that every day, you’re doing something to make the world a kinder place for animals.

Whether you’re ditching leather shoes or helping elephants by asking companies to boycott cruel circuses, each time that you use your voice to speak out for animals (or anyone in need of help!), you’re proving that change is possible with a little bit of heart and a lot of determination.

Agape Attire

Tell the world that you’re ready to “Be the Change You Want to See” with this totally awesome, inspiring new tee from Agape Attire.

Leave a comment below, telling us what change for animals you want to see in the world, and you could be our winner!

P.S. Don’t forget to include your T-shirt size!

*The winner will be chosen at random from submitted animal-friendly comments in which commenters tell us what change for animals they want to see in the world. This contest is open only to U.S. residents. Entries must be received by August 27, 2013. The winner will be notified on August 28, 2013. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Heads up! By submitting this form, you're acknowledging that you've read and you agree to our contest terms and conditions and our privacy policy and you're also agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with those policies as well as to receiving e-mails from us.

No Sleep Records

Flint, Michigan natives The Swellers rip into their fourth LP (and No Sleep Records debut) with an opener that all but carries the definition of “pop-punk” on its back. The recently premiered “Should” is startlingly uplifting despite its defeatist attitude, and new track “Becoming Self-Aware” follows suit.

On creating “Becoming Self-Aware,” drummer Jonathan Diener tells peta2, “I did a couch surfing/soul searching week with my friends between tours. I was at a crossroads in my life, but one day I had nowhere to go, played my guitar in a park, and parts of songs I’ve had for a while came together. It turned into my favorite song on the new record.”

Aside from their reputation as genuinely nice guys with an unrelenting work ethic, the members of The Swellers have also won over peta2 with their compassion for animals. As a longtime vegan, vocalist Nick Diener tells peta2, “My goal in life is to reduce suffering in the world as much as I possibly can. Everybody owes it to themselves and the world to think about what they’re eating.”

“Do something proactive rather than just acknowledge and accept how everything is.” – Jonathan Diener

The Light Under Closed Doors will be released October 29 via No Sleep Records and is available for preorder now.

P.S. Check out The Swellers’ acoustic performance—along with videos from Defeater, Real Friends, Stick To Your Guns, and more—on the peta2 YouTube channel!

Let’s talk about Olivia Munn.

“Why are we talking about Olivia Munn?” you might ask.

1. Because I’m writing this blog, and I want to.
2. Because she’s a total badass, and I’m really into The Newsroom right now.

Reasons to adore Olivia Munn include:

1.  She uses her voice—and her body—to speak up for elephants who are abused in the circus by asking fans to boycott circuses that use animals.

“When you look at something like the circus and everyone’s laughing and there’s color and there’s music and everything seems so great, but when you go right behind that door and they’re in these crates all day long and then they’re getting shocked and beat just so they can get up and dance around on a ball … it was just so sickening.”

2.  She feels beautiful in her own skin and lets animals keep theirs. Olivia knows that there’s nothing sexy or sophisticated about wearing fur and reminds fans that when it comes to violence on fur farms, “There’s nothing good about pretending like you don’t know.”

3.  This picture of Munn and Project Runway fashion guru Tim Gunn:

4.  In an interview with Us Weekly, Olivia told readers, “I believe in rescuing your pets, not buying them.”

5.  She got a little tipsy on The Today Show and let co-host Hoda Kotb know what’s up with Central Park’s horse-drawn carriage rides. (Skip ahead to 8:22 for the good stuff!)

I could keep going, but I think you get the point. She’s a smart, sassy, animal-loving lady, and we think she rules. Keep on doin’ what you do, Olivia!

It’s been a great month of giveaways, but we’ve reached the end of our Agape Attire series. Whether you want to “Be the Change You Want to See” or be “Young, Wild & Free,” peta2 and Agape Attire have got your wardrobe covered.

But if you’re still searching for that perfect tee that says “I ♥ animals” and “I’m a total badass,” this one is for you!

When it comes to fighting for animals (or for anything you believe in!), the key is never to give up.

Animals can’t defend themselves against being forced to perform in the circus, being born into a life of agony on a factory farm, or enduring life at the end of a chain. It’s up to us to speak up for them. Be a voice in the fight for animals, and never give up!  

Leave a comment below telling us why you’ll never give up on helping animals, and you could be our winner!

P.S. Don’t forget to include your T-shirt size!

*The winner will be chosen at random from submitted animal-friendly comments in which commenters tell us why they’ll never give up on helping animals. This contest is open to U.S. residents only. Entries must be received by September 3, 2013. The winner will be notified on September 4, 2013. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Heads up! By submitting this form, you're acknowledging that you've read and you agree to our contest terms and conditions and our privacy policy and you're also agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with those policies as well as to receiving e-mails from us.

Rise Records post-hardcore band Make Do And Mend has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the hardest working, most sincere bands in punk rock. Years of touring alongside fellow peta2 friends like Hostage Calm, Balance And Composure, and Touché Amoré has solidified the band as a staple in the scene.

We recently caught up with vocalist James Carroll for an intimate performance of “Desert Lily” and to discuss how living a cruelty-free, vegan lifestyle has impacted his life for the better.

I personally believe that living a meat-free, dairy-free diet is the best thing that one can do to improve their own personal health, to improve the health of the world and their economy, the welfare of countless animals—and that’s always been something that’s really weighed heavy on my mind.

—James Carroll

Angela Owens

For fans of Bane and In My Eyes, Boston-area hardcore band Test of Time has quickly risen through the ranks of the Bridge Nine roster. Carrying the banner of Boston straight-edge with pride, the band’s upcoming six-song EP is stacked with pile-on-worthy anthems sure to make an impact.

From the upcoming The Price EP, “Matter of Taste” is as good an argument for going vegan as you’ll get in one minute and 17 seconds. Comprised of all vegan and vegetarian members, Test of Time includes vocalist Todd Pollock, who pleads that when it comes to living with compassion, “Moral progress can’t be made / with every life taken in vain.” Go vegan!

The Price is out today on Bridge Nine Records. Album info, upcoming tour dates, and more can be found here.

A troubled kid raised on the streets who turned away from a life of crime and became Hollywood’s “it” boy…

It might sound like the plot of The O.C., but it’s actually the true-life tale of filmmaker and vegan activist Elgin James. Raised in orphanages and foster homes, James first found faith in the notoriously violent Boston hardcore scene of the ’90s. Playing in influential scene bands such as Wrecking Crew and Righteous Jams led to ties with the militant straight-edge gang FSU and eventually to James’ arrest and time served in federal prison.

What could have continued as a life of violence and crime instead turned into an opportunity for James to better himself and make a positive impact on the world and the animals in it.

Watch our interview with Elgin James, and enter to win a copy of his critically acclaimed film Little Birds.

You don’t want to be ordinary. You want to be extraordinary. Let everyone else be ordinary.

Pigs are awesome, you know? They’re incredibly intelligent, incredibly loyal, great animals. Basically, I’d get off the school bus and they’d be waiting for me, and it was when I was 7 that then they got rounded up and they were slaughtered in front of me, and that changed everything for me. I didn’t know what a vegetarian was, but I stopped eating meat right there.

Don’t try to tell me that you’re an animal lover when you have a stomach full of chickens and pigs and cows.

After relocating to Los Angeles, James concentrated on writing and filmmaking as a way to tell his story of redemption. His debut film Little Birds premiered in 2011 at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival and received critical praise from some of Hollywood’s most influential players.

Want to win a copy of Little Birds on DVD? Leave a comment below telling us what inspires you to make the world a better place for animals, and you could be our winner!*

*Two winners will be chosen at random from submitted animal-friendly comments in which commenters tell us what inspires them to make the world a better place for animals. This contest is open to U.S. residents only. Entries must be received by September 23, 2013. Winners will be notified on September 24, 2013. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Heads up! By submitting this form, you're acknowledging that you've read and you agree to our contest terms and conditions and our privacy policy and you're also agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with those policies as well as to receiving e-mails from us.

Don’t you just love it when all your friends get along and hang out together? We do! Which is why Linkin Park’s new song, “A Light That Never Comes,” featuring DJ Steve Aoki, is extra-awesome.

This isn’t the first time that Linkin Park and Aoki have been mentioned in the same breath. The band’s vocalist Chester Bennington and Aoki have both starred in peta2 ads speaking out against animals killed for their skins.

Whether you’d “rather be arrested” or choose “ink, not mink,” there’s no excuse to wear fur or any animal skins with so many fashionable, cruelty-free alternatives available.

“A Light That Never Comes” is set to appear on Linkin Park’s upcoming album, Recharged, due out on October 29.

Aoki is hitting the road with Waka Flocka and other performers for the upcoming Aokify America Tour. Pick up tickets here, and stay tuned for more news. A little Nugget told me that peta2 may or may not be tagging along.