Happy New Year!

It’s not too late, really—the Chinese new year begins on January 28.

It’s the Year of the Rooster, according to the Chinese zodiac. So it’s a fitting time to speak out for roosters and their feathered relatives.

Although cockfighting is illegal throughout the United States, the blood sport still persists underground. Roosters used in cockfights spend most of their lives tethered to overturned plastic barrels, small wire cages, and other objects. When they’re not chained or in the ring, they may be forced to walk with weights attached to their legs or used in “practice fights” with other roosters for “training” purposes.

The feathers of many birds are plucked out, and the wattles or combs (the flesh at the top of the head and under the beak) are hacked off, usually with shears. These cruel measures are taken so that the birds will be less vulnerable in the fighting ring, but the loss of these body parts also deprives them of the ability to cool themselves, since roosters don’t have sweat glands.

Some cockfighters cut off the birds’ spurs—the natural bony protrusions on the legs that serve as roosters’ natural weapons—and strap razors or other deadly weapons to their legs. After two birds are paired according to their weights and weapons, spectators place bets on which one will win the fight. At the start of the fight, the handlers “pit” the birds, placing them on the pit’s floor to fight. One rooster must be killed or nearly killed for the fight to end. “Losing” birds are often thrown in the trash. Even those who “win” cockfights often end up disfigured and are discarded.

Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna locks himself in a cage.

Please read PETA’s factsheet on cockfighting to learn more and find out what you can do to help roosters.

You can also help birds simply by not eating them. If you think that eating eggs doesn’t kill birds, we’ve got some sad news for you: Because male birds don’t produce eggs—and because they’re too small to be used profitably for their flesh—they’re routinely suffocated or ground up alive.

Going vegan is the best way to help animals.

We’d love to know what you plan to do to help roosters and other birds this year. Please share your ideas and suggestions below.