Pets

In a statement issued to TMZ, Pets of Bel Air says that it would "never knowingly buy a dog from a puppy mill," as the Humane Society of the United States has alleged. Pets of Bel Air also says that "to the best of our knowledge," all the puppies are from approved breeders. As for its permit to sell animals, which had expired, the shop says it was a clerical error that allowed it to expire. They've provided TMZ with the renewed permit.

For the statement in full, read after the jump.

The pet store has 48 hours to renew their permits.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) today revealed undercover footage linking a popular pet store-to-the-stars with a puppy mill that supplies them. Oh the humane-ity!

The HSUS alleges that Pets of Bel Air -- a trendy pet shop that boasts Paris Hilton, Denise Richards, Demi Moore, Britney Spears and Robin Williams among its clientele, who spend as much as $2,400 for a Maltese -- gets their puppies from puppy mills. In fact, TMZ also spotted Britney shopping there just this past weekend.

We're just sayin'...

Even as the anti-fur movement gets more vociferous, TMZ -- in just one weekend -- spotted Britney Spears, Liza Minnelli, Eve, Mary J. Blige, Sharon Stone and even Madonna fur-nished with all manner of fur-ish coats. We're told that Britney proudly took her shagerrific (and very real fur) coat at her birthday party in Bel Air.

PETA, as ever, took Liza to task for her outerwear, telling TMZ in a statement that it "hopes that Liza, who abstained from fur for years, gets back on the wagon of compassion." As for Sharon Stone, the anti-fur brigade was less charitable, saying, "Put your fur coat away, Sharon."

Reps for Eve, Sharon Stone, Liza and Madonna haven't yet gotten back to us about the provenance of their clients' coats.

One notable exception -- Sarah Jessica Parker, wearing a lovely Star Wars-esque fur coat, usually, we're told, wears fake fur.

A rep for the preserve says Orr suffered multiple scratches and one full bite to the neck. We're told that at times an animal may be trying to play with their human caretakers, but this was not the case in this incident. We're told Orr was definitely attacked by the cat.

We've learned the victim loves cats and has worked at Shambala for 20 years. He does not want the cat to be destroyed. Sources who work at Shambala tell us Tippi is absolutely devastated that one of her employees has been injured.

Hedren told the L.A. Times, "It's a terrible, terrible thing that has happened," adding that many of the animals at Shambala have been abused. "Who knows what happened to this tiger? People have kept them in closets, basements. Two of them were kept in air-conditioning systems." She describes the cat as a "mutt" and says it is one of the youngest on the preserve. She expects the caretaker to make a full recovery.

Initial reports that the animal was a liger -- a lion/tiger mix -- were incorrect.

A worker has been attacked by a tiger at Shambala Preserve in Acton, Calif., which was founded by Melanie Griffith's mother, legendary actress Tippi Hedren.

The man, in his 40s, is in critical but stable condition after suffering "multiple bites" from the big cat. The incident occurred around 3:00 PM this afternoon.

According to their website, Shambala Preserve was founded in 1972 by "The Birds" star Hedren as a haven for endangered exotic big cats, many of which are castoffs from circuses, zoos and private owners. All of the animals at Shambala depend on humans for their care.

It was initially reported that the man was attacked by a liger, a lion/tiger mix. We have confirmed the man was bitten by a tiger.

Ashley Tisdale demonstrated the technique yesterday, trying desperately to hide her unmade-up -- and yet perfectly lovely -- face at JFK airport in New York.

Despite her -- and Fido's -- best efforts, she couldn't shake the hysterical attention of a mad, mad fan. Okay, let's just say it -- that mad, mad fan.

TMZ obtained this filing from the Virginia Eastern District Court of Appeals, which states that the Las Vegas company, Haute Diggity Dogg, has manufactured "successful parodies" of the real Louis Vuitton product and is not infringing on their copyright. Plus, it helps people who can actually afford a $1,190 handbag, by keeping their dogs from chewing up the real bags. Woof.

For the snobbish "I spend way too much money on my dog" types, the company also offers other products to pamper your pet: Chewnel No. 5, Furcedes, Jimmy Chew, Dog Perignon, Sniffany & Co. and Dogior.

A statue of the Irwin family -- including little Bobby, widow Terri and their deceased dog, Sui, -- was unveiled today at the Australia Zoo by the surviving Irwin family and Steve's father, also named Bob. November 15 was named "Steve Irwin Day" at the zoo. Crocs rule!

Bindi also took the opportunity to unveil her wild crimped hairdo.

Dear Friends,

Our horses need your help! Join my family, Bo Derek, the Barbi Twins and a host of others in the fight to save our horses.

Horses are living legends of American History yet we continue to slaughter over 100,000 horses annually. Thanks to Animal Welfare Institute, (AWI), U.S. slaughterhouses were closed down. However, the cruel business of slaughter continues by crowding horses in trailers for over 700 miles to Mexico and Canada, without food or water. These plants in Mexico are killing the horses savagely, by multiple stabbings until they drop to their knees in order to slit their throats, causing them to suffer slow painful deaths.

Once again, it's time to flood the phone lines and emails of our legislatures. Ask them to co-sponsor and demand a vote on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R.503/S. 311).

Come join us on Capitol Hill, November 13th and 14th to support this bill. For more information visit www.awionline.org and to find your member of congress go to www.compassionindex.org/search.htm. If you would like to join me in adopting a horse please visit www.habitatforhorses.org.

Aloha and Peace,

In addition to being an outspoken activist for ... um, herbal remedies, country music icon Willie Nelson has another cause close to his heart: horses. Of course he does -- he's Willie freakin' Nelson!

Willie himself has personally rescued a number of horses, and he sits on the Board of Directors of a group called Habitat for Horses. On November 13 and 14, Willie and daughter Amy, Bo Derek and the luscious Barbi Twins -- are all going to Capitol Hill to voice their support for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to slaughter horses!

The country outlaw even wrote a passionate letter to his fans to implore them to help. Click here to read it.

Hayden and a few other surfers from the US and Australia went into the waters off Japan in an effort to drive the dolphins away from a hidden cove where the killings are carried out in secret. Angry fisherman used propellers of boats to scare surfers away, and even used a hook to intimidate the activists. After an intense struggle, surfers from the Save the Whales Again Campaign had to give up -- forced to leave the water due to the extremely dangerous situation.

As Tyra Banks can attest, clearly, these are two of the luckiest sweater puppies in any town!