If somebody doesn’t understand, it’s their loss for being so close-minded of an individual that they can’t understand standing against the norm.

The members of Los Angeles duo Youth Code are not creating the kind of beat-dropping, pop-filled electronic music that’s taken over the radio—and they don’t give a f*ck.

Sara Taylor and Ryan William George got their start doing DIY basement shows, touring with and playing in hardcore bands, and they harnessed that unapologetic attitude and raw energy into a frenzied industrial sound.

Keeping in spirit with the punk ethos, it’s only fitting that Sara and Ryan are devoted animal activists. We recently caught up with the pair to discuss Earth Crisis, the vegan hardcore community, and taking a stand against the horrific cruelty of factory farming. When it comes to facing your food, Sara makes one hell of a point: “If you can’t stomach it, why are you contributing to it?”

[W]atching something die—if it affects you, you need to really sit and think about what you consume.

You can find Youth Code on tour this fall with Skinny Puppy and VNV Nation on the Alliance of Sound Tour. For more information on animal rights, order peta2′s Guide to Going Vegan!

Last night, Hollywood’s hottest young stars hit the blue carpet for one of peta2′s favorite annual events—the Teen Choice Awards.

How can you not be at least mildly obsessed with an award show that boasts categories like “Choice Movie Hissy Fit” (we’re looking at you, Godzilla) and “Choice Break-Up Song”? Impossible! We love it almost as much as we love our own annual Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity contest.

Before the big awards aired live on Sunday night, peta2 partnered with Red Carpet Events LA to co-host a pre-party complete with vegan cupcakes and special appearances from our celeb BFFs. Check out the highlights! 

Vegan peta2 cupcakes for our guests!

peta2 staffer Chelsi Schriver

Vine queens Brittany Furlan and Simone Shepherd

Joey King and sis Hunter King

peta2′s Diana Mendoza smiling for the camera.

Meagan Tandy of MTV’s Teen Wolf

Girl Meets World star Sabrina Carpenter

Hayden Byerly of The Fosters

Among the night’s big winners are Glee star Lea Michele, multiple cast members of the mega-popular ABC Family series Pretty Little Liars, and 2014 Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity nominees Ariana Grande and Zendaya. 

Can’t get enough of your favorite celebs?
Cast your vote to help peta2 decide who should be crowned the Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrities of 2014!

Let’s talk about free running.

Free running is all about expressing yourself in an environment without any limitations on movement.

Example: You want to get from point A to point B as fast as possible, but there’s a wall, a bench, and a set of stairs in your way. Do you go around those obstacles? Nope. You go through them—or rather over them—as awesomely as possible.

Let’s now talk about Tim Shieff.

Tim Shieff is a world champion professional English free runner. He has competed on American Ninja Warrior, has appeared in a Harry Potter film (the ultimate measure of success in my book), and is considered one of the most successful athletes in the world. Tim Shieff is also vegan.

When you have to push your body to the limit, it takes more than sheer willpower and determination. Being an athlete of this caliber means staying in peak physical condition and having all the protein and nutrients you need in order to get through your grueling workout sessions.

Fueling yourself with a plant-based diet is the best thing that you can do for your body. Among the many benefits of eating vegan meals are:

• Lower cholesterol
• Reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, and strokes
• Increased energy
• Getting to brag that some of the strongest people in the world are vegan

This officially puts the protein myth to bed, right? I thought so.

Dogs may be “man’s best friend,” but dudes who love cats are definitely a girl’s best friend. There’s just something extra dreamy about a man who wants to cuddle up next to a kitten. Am I right? Cheers to these 15 cat-loving cuties:

1. James Franco …

2. … and younger brother Dave Franco both grew up with a love for animals. Dave has even referred to himself as “the weird cat guy.” Don’t worry, Dave—we don’t think you’re weird. 

Photo by: Quasar/starmaxinc.com ©2010

3. Ed Sheeran may be busy touring the world and topping the charts, but he’s always happy to come home to this cuddly face. 

4. This lucky cat gets up close and personal with Vine sensation Shawn Mendes. 

5. Because he’s a vegan, it’s clear that Christofer Drew has a huge heart for all animals, including this little cutie.

6. The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus may be tough as nails on TV, but he’s a softie at heart, sharing his home with Eye In The Dark—who even has his own Twitter account. 

7. It’s clear from the pictures he posts that rapper Danny Brown is totally in love with his cat Siren—he even takes her on walks! 

8. Joe Jonas recently posted this picture of Pancake the cat, and the Internet died from cuteness overload.

9. Morrissey‘s love for cats runs so deep that it inspired a Tumblr page. That’s true love.  

10. Oh, to be this cat, lounging casually on the butt of Ian Somerhalder.   

11. Kellan Lutz befriended this kitten in Thailand. 

12. Blessthefall vocalist Beau Bokan, wife Lights, and this sweet kitty might just be the cutest family ever. 

13. Macklemore is the proud papa of Instagram-famous feline Cairo!  

14. Jordan Witzigreuter of The Ready Set wins for having the best names for his companion animals: Backpack the dog and Nonsense the cat. Could he be any more adorable?! 

15. This photo of Australian mega-babe Liam Hemsworth holding this kitten is the epitome of everything that is good in the world. Thank you, Liam.

If you’re ready to bring a cat into your life, head to your local animal shelter to adopt! Never purchase animals from pet stores. If you’re already a cat mama or papa, check out some fun peta2 tips!

The witching hour is upon us! Are you ready for All Hallows’ Eve? Let’s consult the checklist:

Vegan Halloween treats? Check.

Photo: Terren | CC by 2.0

peta2-inspired pumpkin? Check.

The only thing left to do is prepare to be scared! peta2 has released a slew of frightfully festive videos and ads over the years, and these are just a few of our faves:

1. The sickest metal band in the universe created a truly one-of-a-kind video to introduce a unique alternative to killing animals for their fur.

2. Christine Dolce knows that fur on your clothing means blood on your hands.

3. Any fan of horror flicks knows that flesh is for zombies! Join Sharon Needles and go flesh-free.

4. The blood on rocker Dave Navarro may be fake, but the pain inflicted on animals used in cosmetics tests is very real.

5. Presented by Troma Entertainment, take a trip down to “Sunny Acres Farms” and see for yourself who’s on your dinner plate …

6. Vegan hottie Jona Weinhofen still manages to look drool-worthy in his creepy peta2 ad reminding fans to think for themselves and leave animals off their plates.  

How does one of the most successful pop stars on the planet spend her free time? Surprisingly enough, she spends it a lot like we do here at peta2.

This past weekend, Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity Ariana Grande proved yet again why everyone at peta2 wants to be her best friend, when she visited a farm animal sanctuary in the San Francisco Bay area.

Best weekend ever?! We certainly think so, and these pics are tough to argue with. (Warning: cute overload)

After her trip to PreetiRang Sanctuary, Ariana posted, “[C]an’t express what a magical experience it was. My heart is w[ith] those babess!” According to its website, the sanctuary serves as a home for farmed animals “who are in danger of abuse and early death.”

Visiting a sanctuary is an awesome way to spend some serious bonding time with animals in their natural environments (i.e., not in a tank or on someone’s plate). Fingers crossed that we get an invite to Ariana’s next sanctuary outing. We’ll bring the vegan snacks!

Bust out the decorations and put your favorite holiday playlist on because the countdown to Christmas has begun! If you made it onto the “nice” list this year, it’s time to set your sights on some animal-friendly goodies for under the tree.

Christmas | Joe Buckingham | CC by 2.0

My personal philosophy: The best way to spread Christmas cheer is with chocolate! What holiday gathering isn’t made better by delicious chocolatey yumminess? Thanks to Sweet & Sara, you can stock up on vegan versions of your fave holiday treats—including peppermint bark, crispy treats, and some seriously adorable marshmallow snowmen (that are made without gelatin!).

Sweet & Sara

No holiday party is complete without an ugly sweater. Pay homage to the season with this Home Alone–inspired gem from Urban Outfitters. This vegan-friendly acrylic sweater is the perfect combination of ugly and festive, and it doesn’t contain any animal products—such as wool or angora—that make winter wear truly horrific.

Urban Outfitters

Never underestimate the power of good nail polish. Festively painted nails complete any party look, and companies such as ella+mila offer stunning colors that are 100 percent vegan (no animal byproducts) and cruelty-free (not tested on animals)!

Ella+Mila

Be sure to keep those newly manicured hands warm with some animal-friendly mittens! And nothing beats a hat-and-mitten combo in the winter, so you should probably add peta2’s “#Vegan” beanie to your list while you’re at it. 

H&M

peta2 teamed up with our besties over at Glamour Kills Clothing for a limited-edition “Adopt, Don’t Shop” collab, available in a unisex T-shirt and a cozy vegan pullover fleece—it’s the perfect reminder that mutts rule and that all animals deserve to be adopted into a forever home. Plus, a portion of the proceeds goes back to peta2. How cool is that?!

Candy! What kid doesn’t want to overindulge on sweets on Christmas morning? And with so many “accidentally vegan” treats available at Target, 7-Eleven, Walmart, and more, it’s easier than ever for Mom and Dad to stuff those stockings.

This backpack from Lulu’s is a vegan girl’s best friend. It’s the perfect companion bag for the nonstop holiday activities in store for you, whether it’s off to grandma’s house or out on the town for a New Year’s Eve bash.

Lulu's

E-mail this list to your parents, or print it out and place it casually in their line of sight for a not-so-subtle Xmas hint. And don’t forget to join the peta2 Street Team to earn and redeem points for exclusive peta2 merch!  

“Throwing around the ‘pig skin'” (yuck!) may be one of the most appalling sports phrases ever, but there are plenty of reasons why a compassionate vegan like you should still set your fantasy lineup, grab your team jersey, and get pumped for football. #sports!

Kickoff | Jeffrey Beall | CC by-SA 2.0

1. Vegan-Friendly Stadiums

Heading out to catch your team in action doesn’t mean that you have to go hungry. More stadiums than ever are offering mouthwatering vegan options. The faux-steak sandwiches in Philly and the vegan barbecue sandwiches in Detroit make those cold-weather games well worth the freeze!

2. Game-Day Snacks

If you can’t make it out to a game, do the next best thing and invite over the crew for some game-day eats. Keep the vegans happy with all the hummus they can handle, and impress your meat-eating bae with some vegan BBQ riblets.

If your city doesn’t have a team to root for (or if you’re from Oakland and don’t want to root for your home team), cheer for any of these compassionate athletes leading the NFL in being awesome to animals:

3. San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Stevie Johnson

As a young player, Stevie Johnson looked up to the pros who came before him—including players like Chad Johnson, who starred in an ad for our iconic “Ink, Not Mink” anti-fur campaign. Now, Stevie has starred in his own ad in the hope of inspiring younger fans and players to leave fur out of their closets.

4. San Diego Chargers Cornerback Brandon Flowers

After seeing how animals on fur farms are skinned and killed, Brandon Flowers told peta2: “If you have a heart, I’m pretty sure it’ll touch you to see how these animals suffer.” Flowers’ “Ink, Not Mink” ad serves as a reminder to fans that when it comes to helping animals, it’s a simple choice. Be a compassionate consumer, and leave animal skins out of your wardrobe. We’re currently celebrating #WoolFreeWinter over here at peta2, and it’s pretty awesome!

5. San Francisco 49ers Safety Antoine Bethea

Antoine Bethea knows what it takes to play hard in the NFL, and he knows what it takes to be a responsible, loving guardian to his animals. He treats his dogs like family, refusing to chain them outdoors because it would relegate them to a life of misery and loneliness. When Antoine learned that chained “backyard dogs” are often ignored and neglected, he stepped up his game and promised never to be silent about it.

In closing, even if your team is having a terrible “butt fumble” of a season—there’s still reason to cheer!

Celebrities are crazy. With all their NSFW magazine covers and in-the-club-on-a-Tuesday antics, seeing a celebrity do something good is like stumbling upon a unicorn. But, hey—stranger things have happened, right?

Here are a few of our fave celeb “do-gooders” who made 2014 count for animals:

Vegan prankster Steve-O made sure everyone knows exactly what he thinks about SeaWorld. We couldn’t agree more!

Pretty Little Liars beauty Shay Mitchell made us all squeal “Aww!” when she posted this adorable pic of her newly adopted dog, Angel. #AdoptDontShop

Vegan pop star goddess Ariana Grande spent an inspiring afternoon at a farmed-animal sanctuary visiting with animals who are lucky enough to live out their days in peace instead of winding up on someone’s plate.

P!nk used her voice to speak out against New York’s ridiculous horse-drawn carriage industry. Seriously? Tourists still think it’s OK to parade a horse through rush-hour traffic? Smh.

Jason Biggs starred in the funniest anti-SeaWorld video ever to provide yet another reminder why supporting a company that imprisons orcas and other animals is straight-up insane.

Ian Somerhalder did so many nice things for animals this year that I can’t even include them all here.

Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus went meat-free! He saved the lives of more than 100 animals this year just by eating tasty vegetarian meals instead. That’s what’s up.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving kicks more or equal to ass than dead animal Thanksgiving.

— |/|@r|{ )(0%ü$ (@markhoppus) November 28, 2014

New bride Lauren Conrad added another addition to her family when she brought home this cute little guy to join her other adopted dogs, Chloe and Fitz. There is way too much cuteness in that household!

Skateboarder Ryan Sheckler provided eye candy for fans everywhere when he posed for peta2’s “Ink, Not Mink” campaign.

We got to see a sneak peek of Noah Cyrus‘ creepy peta2 ad reminding students that dissection kills. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for that in 2015!

See? Celebrities can totally use their powers for good.

Want to start the new year off right by helping animals? Here’s how: 

Here’s the thing about Super Bowl Sunday: It’s the best. If you’re a football fan, it’s the biggest game of the year and your last chance to soak up all the football you can before the season ends.

If you aren’t exactly a football connoisseur, it’s a great excuse to throw a party and eat dips on dips on dips. It’s a win-win situation, people! Here are 12 vegan Super Bowl recipes guaranteed to please on game day:

1. Slow-Cooked Vegan Chili

2. Zesty, Crispy Potato Tacos

3. Pizza Waffles

4. Classic Sloppy Joes

5. Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower ‘Wings’

6. Sweet Potato Fries With Spicy Ketchup

7. Seven-Layer Mexican Dip

8. Veggie Dog and Cornbread Muffins

9. Hummus

Sweet Potato Hummus | Veganbaking.net | CC by-sa 2.0

10. Vegan Chick-Fil-A Sandwich 

11. ‘Mozzarella’ Sticks 

If all else fails and you don’t have time to cook, pick up some “accidentally vegan” chips, which are conveniently available at pretty much ANY grocery store. Vegan Doritos? Yep, they exist.

12. 17 ‘Accidentally Vegan’ Chips

Looking for more delicious vegan noms? Check out our recipes page by clicking on the banner below.

You know how it is:

Wake up flawless.

Practice yoga in the sunshine to awaken your mind and body.

Lounge by the pool to work on your tan.

Sike! It’s more like: Wake up late because you hit the snooze button five times. Fall twice while attempting to navigate through the knee-high piles of snow in New York. Shudder at the thought of having to be in a bathing suit, and go for a third slice of pizza to comfort yourself.

But for starlet Krysten Ritter and her adopted dog, Mikey Mohawk (so cute, I honestly can’t), every day really is the best day ever—as it should be!

Adopting a dog means being a guardian and a best friend. Dogs aren’t lawn ornaments to be chained up outside and forgotten about or kept cooped up in a house all day with no supervision or attention. Your pups should be your best buds! They’re someone to go on walks with when you need to work off an accidental cookie binge or hang with when your human friends are being lame. If you ask me, I think every adopted dog deserves their own Krysten Ritter.

In need of more cute canines in your life? Follow @officialpeta2 on Instagram to get your fix! 

Posing with her adorable cat, Zula, and wearing a trademark pink #OOTD, YouTube superstar, lifestyle blogger, and Zoella’s bestie Sprinkle of Glitter is the latest celeb to stand up for animals in her new ad for peta2 shot by photographer Paul Michael Hughes.

“You know those ‘crazy cat ladies’ who think of their kitties like babies? That’s me,” says Sprinkle of Glitter. “To me, cats are the most wonderfully loving, sweet animals, and the thought of wearing their fur is awful. I feel so passionately about this campaign and am proud to be a part of it.”

Here’s something to remember when it comes to buying clothing or accessories made with fur: Animals are not ours to wear.

It’s pretty simple! Animals need the fur on their backs—humans don’t. There’s no reason to wear real leather or fur when coats like these exist:

Every fur cuff, fur collar, or piece of fur trim comes at a pretty high cost to the animals who were killed for it. Foxes, rabbits, minks, and sometimes even dogs and cats (like Zula) often suffer in cramped wire cages before they’re beaten to death, electrocuted, drowned, or even skinned alive for their fur.

If you wouldn’t wear your cat—and let’s be real, you definitely wouldn’t—join Sprinkles of Glitter by not wearing ANY fur. ♥

So you watched “Glass Walls” and decided to cut meat out of your diet. You go, Glen Coco! You could never look at a cute little pig or cow as food again. It’s still OK to eat fish, though, right? Nope! Wrong.

The U.S. fishing industry slaughters more than 6 billion fish every year. Fish are impaled, crushed, suffocated, or cut open and gutted—all while they’re still conscious.

These three celebrity ads will make you never want to eat fish again:

1. Imagine not being able to breathe. In her captivating ad for peta2, Les Misérables star Samantha Barks reminds fans that fish suffocate when they’re pulled out of the water.

2. Scientists who study pain are in complete agreement that the pain response system in fish is nearly identical to that of birds and mammals. In other words, fish feel pain. They don’t want to suffocate on land any more than humans want to drown underwater. No one demonstrated this terrifying reality better than Oscar-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix in this eye-opening video:

3. I know I’m not the only girl who’s just a little bit obsessed with The Little Mermaid. Prince Eric is kind of a babe—just saying. How do you think Ariel would feel if you snatched her BFF Flounder out of the ocean and fried him up for dinner?! Not cool. To help prove the point, Daniella Monet transformed into a beautiful “mermaid” for one of peta2’s most memorable ads ever.

Five awesome fish facts:

• Some fish gather information by eavesdropping on others. Very sneaky.
• Many fish use tools. For example, some fish lays eggs on leaves so that they can be carried to a safe place.
• Fish talk to each other with squeaks, squeals, and other low-frequency sounds that humans can hear only with special instruments.
• Fish like physical contact with other fish and often gently rub against one another—similar to how a cat weaves in and out of your legs. So sweet! ♥
• Some fish tend well-kept gardens, growing tasty algae and weeding out the plants they don’t like.

The best fish-free recipes:

• Vegan Tuna Sandwich
• Feisty Vegan Fish Tacos
• Vegan Coconut Popcorn Shrimp with Piña Colada Sauce
• Veggie Cutie Fruity Sushi
• Vegan Fish ‘n’ Chips with Tartar Sauce

Share this and let everyone know: Fish are friends, not food!

It’s no secret that pop star Ariana Grande has a huge heart for animals. Aside from being vegan—not eating animals is pretty much the nicest thing you can do for them!—she is constantly posting pics of her adopted pups on Instagram and has even been seen sporting PETA merch in the past.

On the first leg of her current Honeymoon Tour, Ariana used packed shows in New York and Miami to call attention to some special friends.

Partnering with local animal rescue groups, she paid the adoption fees for a number of dogs and featured them on a screen during her performances. Fans who fell in love with any of the cuties could submit an adoption application and cross their fingers for a new furry best friend.

But adopting an animal is not something to take lightly. Ariana assured fans that everyone who submitted an application would be properly reviewed by the rescue organizations. As she explained on Instagram, “[T]he team will of course be making sure that the people who reach out will make a suitable family/home for the pups in need.”

With as many as 8 million cats and dogs entering U.S. animal shelters every year, adoption should be the only option you consider when bringing an animal into your life. Before you pick out the perfect companion, be sure to read peta2’s 15 Things to Think About Before Adopting a Dog and 7 Surprising Foods You Should Never Feed to Dogs or Cats.

Fill out the form below and pledge to always adopt your animal companions and to have them spayed or neutered. Together, we can help end animal homelessness!

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.

Tom Hardy isn’t exactly known for being a sweetheart on screen. Roles like super-villain Bane in The Dark Knight Rises and post-apocalyptic road warrior Max in the upcoming Mad Max: Fury Road show that he has a knack for playing gritty, violent characters. But behind the scenes, his love for animals is enough to make you swoon. (See exhibits A and B.)

While filming Lawless in Atlanta, Hardy spotted a dog running loose on the highway and sprang into action—catching the dog, naming him Woodstock, and bringing him home to London. Now, Hardy is encouraging others to find their own “biggest fan” by adopting an animal.

“[T]o me, a dog actually is the heart of a family in many ways, in life,” Hardy told Vulture in the fall. “A dog is important because its unconditional love is there, and it’s the hearth of the home. If a dog is there, and a dog is happy, … then you know it’s a happy home.”

I couldn’t agree more! Before bringing home your biggest fan, read peta2’s 15 Things to Think About Before Adopting a Dog and Seven Surprising Foods You Should Never Feed to Dogs or Cats.

If you follow Miley Cyrus at all, you already know what a huge animal lover she is. Aside from going vegetarian—because animals are friends, not food—Miley posts all the time about her family of rescued dogs and cats.

Earlier this year, Miley was devastated by the death of her beloved blowfish Pablow, posting about the loss to her more than 20 million Instagram followers and even memorializing Pablow with a new tattoo.

Yesterday, Miley posted a video on her Facebook page in which she sings a heartfelt, emotional tribute to Pablow. The video shows her eventually breaking down in tears as she reminisces about her love for Pablow but also as she reflects on keeping an animal meant for the ocean confined to a tank:

How can I love someone I’ve never touched?
You lived under the water, but I love you so much.
You’ve never been on land, and you’ve never seen the sky.
You don’t know what a cloud is.
Why did everything I love have to die?
They all wanted to see you be as big as you could be,
But I couldn’t let that be,
Thought keeping you small meant keeping you safe.
If I could do it again, I’d release you to the sea
‘Cause I can’t bear to see something so wild just die in a tank.

Fish from pet stores are captured from the wild or bred in captivity. They spend their lives in plastic bags or bowls that don’t provide the space or the oxygen that they need to thrive and be happy.

In honor of Miley and Pablow, please don’t buy fish or support pet stores that sell them.

Beyoncé’s Internet-breaking announcement that her curves are courtesy of her 22-day vegan meal plan had us spinnin’ with our hands up. Obviously, a diet that is full of meat-free meals and not loaded down with dairy products is guaranteed to make you glow inside and out. Here are a few vegan hotties who know that tofu does a body damn good:

Travis Barker

There’s a reason the Blink-182 drummer prefers to stay shirtless behind the kit … because those guns.

Angela Simmons

If you’re looking for workout inspo on Insta, look no further than Miss Simmons’ account and get ready to hit the gym!

Daniella Monet

Our fave “lifestyle enthusiast,” Daniella stays healthy with fun, easy recipes like this Banana-Chia Seed Pudding.

Jona Weinhofen

What more can I say? No caption could do that photo justice.

Miley Cyrus

We ♥ that Miley uses her voice to speak up for people and animals who need it. She’s a badass whose beauty is way more than skin-deep.

Jared Leto

Jared thanks his vegan diet for helping him bulk up for his upcoming role as the Joker. We’re also thankful, Jared. #blessed

Follow @officialpeta2 on Instagram to get more vegan inspiration!

Most of the world first laid eyes (and ears) on Houston-born singer Josh Levi when he blew the judges away with his stripped-down version of Selena Gomez’s “Come & Get It” on The X Factor. If you aren’t a member of #LEVINATION yet, here are five reasons why you should get on board:

1. Josh loves animals! Dogs, hippos, or dolphins—he believes that animals “have minds, they have brains, they have hearts of their own, and they deserve respect and to be protected and to be safe and to be loved.” ♥

2. That smile …

3. He knows that animals are not ours to wear. When it comes to wearing fur, Josh told peta2, “[I]f you’ve ever seen the process of an animal being skinned, it’s horrible.” Animals on fur farms are often electrocuted, beaten, drowned, and sometimes even skinned alive—all for a fashion accessory or an article of clothing. If you wouldn’t skin and wear your dog, don’t wear any animal fur!

4. This cute little dance that he does with peta2’s (Not a) Nugget mascot.

5. He wants you to get active for animals. Join the peta2 Street Team for easy ways to make a difference for animals every day!

Every summer, thousands of dogs suffer and die when their guardians leave them inside a parked car. It might be for “just a minute” while they run inside the gas station or pop into a store, but it could result in tragedy.

NFL free safety Tyrann Mathieu is a huge animal lover, so when he heard about the dangers of leaving dogs inside hot cars, he jumped into action. How long do you think you could last inside a car that’s baking in the summer heat? Five minutes? Six? Mathieu accepted the challenge—and the results are shocking …

Even on a mild 73-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can reach 120 degrees in minutes. Dogs aren’t equipped to handle such high temperatures. Unlike humans, they can’t sweat to cool themselves off—and while you can take off your jacket or roll up your sleeves, dogs wear permanent fur coats 365 days a year. Animals can suffer and die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes, even with the car’s windows partially rolled down.

How You Can Help

• If you see a dog left in a hot car, take down the vehicle’s information, contact local authorities immediately, and quickly try to find the owner inside nearby stores.
• Don’t leave the scene until the authorities have arrived or the owner has been found.
• If you have dogs of your own, leave them at home on hot days.
• Share this photo on Facebook and Instagram to help spread the word.

Kid Ink knows that your animal companions are like family. The “Batgang” rapper is starring in a new ad for peta2 to remind fans that animals should never be chained up outside.

© Robert Sebree

As evidenced by his peta2 “Ink, Not Mink” campaign, it’s clear that Kid Ink has a big heart for animals and always wants to protect them.

An animal isn’t an accessory to carry around or a lawn ornament to leave outside.

Chains are for bikes, NOT dogs! #DogsOfIG #BanChaining #peta2life

A photo posted by peta2 (@officialpeta2) on Jul 13, 2015 at 1:26pm PDT

Your dog should be your best friend! Here’s how to treat dogs like family:

1. Never leave dogs chained up or unattended outside. Your animal companions are part of your family and should be treated that way. Never leave them alone outside, where they could be hit by a car, get mauled by another animal, get stolen and used as dog fighting bait or for experimentation, or become lost or trapped. It’s OK to leave your bike chained up outside—not your dog.
2. Go on long walks every day—and remember that this is your dog’s walk, not yours! Allow plenty of time for roaming, sniffing, exploring, and having fun.
3. Give dogs healthy food and fresh water in clean bowls every day. Make sure you know which food is best for your dog, and steer clear of the seven dangerous foods that can cause serious harm.
4. Groom your pups. You gotta keep your crew lookin’ fresh! Be sure to bathe dogs, trim their nails, and brush their teeth as often as your veterinarian recommends.
5. Hang out together! This is a no-brainer, right? Buy or make fun toys to keep your dog entertained and happy, go for long walks and on car rides, play in the yard, etc.