Now, I’ve heard it all. It may be April first, but this is not a joke….at least, I don’t think it is. Animal rights group PETA was so blown away by seeing Britney Spears on How I Met Your Mother that the group has offered her a job. No, not as a spokesperson. As a receptionist.

Spears would be given $1000, to be donated to a children’s charity, if she were to accept the gig, offered to her by the very group which has lambasted her in the past. PETA sent Spears a letter dated March 27, 2008. According the letter, this job could last for only an hour, giving Brit the opportunity to see what they (PETA employees) deal with every day and why animal rights are so very important. The letter reads: “You will see firsthand the problems that we deal with every day. You would be able to help the cats and dogs who linger in animal shelters because people have chosen to buy animals from breeders or pet stores.”

“We might have criticized you in the past for contributing to the dog overpopulation crises and wearing real fur, but perhaps now that your own crisis has abated, a new day calls for a new relationship, a new outlook, and a new understanding,” the letter finishes.

This is, beyond a doubt, one of the most clever PR things I’ve ever seen. PETA offers a superstar a job they know she won’t take, but makes sure the media knows about it so that Brit’s backed into a corner. She doesn’t take the job, she’s a mean animal-hater forevermore. She does take the job, and PETA gets more press than they’ve ever experienced. Will Britney Spears soon be answering phones at a PETA near you?