Happy New Year! Yes, already—at least in places where the Lunar New Year is observed, including China. To join our Chinese friends in celebrating the start of the Year of the Snake, we're featuring one of PETA's most memorable snake-themed ads, in which lovely actor, dancer, and producer Jenna Dewan-Tatum exposes the distinctly not-so-lovely side of the exotic-skins trade. 

Jenna—who is preparing to deliver her very first bundle of joy with husband Channing Tatum—recently appeared in American Horror Story: Asylum. But what happens to animals killed for their skins is every bit as gruesome as anything perpetrated by that show's mad scientist or serial killers. Snakes have their bodies cut open from one end to the other and their skin ripped off before being tossed aside to struggle and thrash in pain for hours or even days until they die. Most alligators used for accessories are raised in filthy tanks until they are stabbed or beaten to death.

What You Can Do

Millions of snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles, and other reptiles are violently killed every year so that their skins can be torn from their bodies to make wallets, belts, boots, and handbags. Don't buy into this cruel rip-off—instead, choose accessories made from chic, cruelty-free materials such as fake snake, mock croc, and pleather. You'll look (and feel) better knowing that you got the glam—without stealing someone else's skin. 

First Usher made us Scream when he dropped his new album. Then he did it again by dropping meat and dairy products! Usher is reportedly now vegan and is encouraging his pal Justin Bieber to get on board. We know the Biebs cares about animals because of all his work with PETA, so Never Say Never. 

Maybe Usher will pick up Mayim Bialik's new vegan cookbook?

She's not the only author who's making the shelves more animal-friendly: The fur-free and fabulous Tim Gunn is releasing his third book, Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible: The Fascinating History of Everything in Your Closet. 

Giuliana Rancic likes to go with the faux—her new clothing line for HSN uses only faux fur and fake leather. 

Austin Armacost's faux-fur persuasions will be on full display when his naked ad hits New York Fashion Week. The model tweeted his excitement this week, joining a host of celebs speaking up for animals on Twitter:

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have reportedly been touring animal shelters, searching for the perfect large dog to adopt, but Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca have already found theirs—a mixed-breed they named Bobbi-Ricki.

To keep up with what the stars are doing for animals, follow @PETA on Twitter. 

Attention, ladies. Now you, too, can cause your neighbors to phone in Big Foot sightings. You, too, can look like the frightening "before" picture on an infomercial for Epilady. And you, too, can look like you are trying to kidnap the cast of Cats.

How? It's fall fashion season, and mixed in with some lovely new styles (such as Stella McCartney's color-block sheath dress that celebs are loving) are flops that make it seem like designers have been hitting the sauce a lot harder than they've been hitting the sketch pad. One design that is particularly puzzling is this epic fail: jackets with fur sleeves.

Of course! Women want their arms to look fat and hairy. Why didn't we think of that? But seriously, if you do favor a furry look, go with faux, like fauxier to the stars Donna Salyers' Fabulous-Furs, so that you'll avoid killing more animals than the entire Cullen clan.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

PETA's sexy "fashion police" are on patrol again. Last week, they took their beat to the street - in New Haven and Providence, handing out citations to leather-wearers for "violating common decency." For some reason, every "offender" loved being "detained." In fact, this is pretty much what happened every time:

Fashion Cop: No more leather, promise?Passerby, hanging head in shame: OK.

Of course, looking at photos of our cops, I have to say—they look like they mean business! I wouldn't want to argue with them, either.

And, if you're looking for some pleather boots as awesome as those (I know I am!), we have a few cruelty-free suggestions for your consideration.

Written by Amanda Schinke