After he heard that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie had weight-loss surgery, the Rev. Al Sharpton urged him to keep the pounds off the natural way: by eating healthy food and exercising. Sharpton has been all about the plants after having a chat with former President Bill Clinton, and now he's ready to help another political figure maintain his figure.

We won't be surprised if the plant-based prez is spotted dining at L.A.'s fêted new restaurant Crossroads, owned by celebrated vegan chef to the stars and PETA friend Tal Ronnen. Renée Zellweger, Warren Beatty, Ellen DeGeneres, and Tony Kanal are just a few of the famous faces you might see enjoying delectable vegan eats there.

Ginnifer Goodwin enjoyed Crossroads so much that she encouraged all her Twitter followers to check it out, and other stars were in the mood to share some of their favorite snapshots:

If you can handle even more doggie delightfulness, check out the pictures of Kevin Spacey with his new rescued dog, Boston. PETA sent Boston some toys and treats to help welcome her to her new home.

And congratulations are also in order for fur-free beauties Eva Mendes, Kristen Stewart, and Mila Kunis as well as horse hero Lea Michele and adoption advocate Amanda Seyfried. All the animal-friendly gals earned a spot on FHM's list of the top 100 sexiest women in the world.

Pierce Brosnan is no stranger to "hottest" lists—and he's no stranger to animal advocacy, either. The dashing Irishman's latest effort involves convincing the U.S. Navy to halt plans for training drills in which it would detonate explosives in the ocean, killing and injuring whales and other marine mammals.

To keep up with how all your favorite stars are helping animals, follow @PETA on Twitter.

Brosnan. Pierce Brosnan. He's doing some not-so-covert work to save whales. True Blood star Kristin Bauer is also lobbying for protection for whales, in addition to speaking out against animal testing, circuses, zoos, fur … 

The normally furry Kate Moss is in Vogue (literally and figuratively) and looking fauxtastic for a change in a creation from Donna Salyer’s Fabulous-Furs. (Here’s hoping faux fur grows on Moss like, ahem, moss.) And the always fur-free Elisabetta Canalis will soon be showing off her fox-free foxtrot.

As she trotted around visiting animal shelters, Glee star Ashley Fink fell in love multiple times, of course. And self-confessed kitty-cuddler Michael C. Hall knows exactly how she feels. Eric McCormack is so caught up in puppy love, it even inspired his new TV role.

After gaining weight for her new movie, it was Jessica Chastain's respect for animals that ensured that she didn't need much help taking it off. And the health benefits of animal-free fare will definitely be useful for WNBA champ Kara Lawson, the newest vegetarian on the block.

For up to the minute info on what we’re up to, follow us on Twitter!

Written by Michelle Sherrow

Got plans this upcoming Monday night? Cancel them. Spend the evening with Jane Velez-Mitchell instead! If you've watched her show, Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell on Headline News (HLN), you know that this longtime vegan and PETA supporter is a dedicated animal rights activist who never misses an opportunity to speak up for animals. Now, she's hosting an unprecedented hour-long special devoted entirely to animal rights!

An exciting opportunity to bring animal welfare issues to the masses, Jane's show will take on topics such as the impact that the oil spill is having on animals, factory farming, the government's round-up of wild horses, the breeding of monkeys in Puerto Rico, and so much more. The program will also include interviews with PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange, Bob Barker, and actors Pierce Brosnan, and Jorja Fox. So grab your friends (or set your DVR), and watch!

"Jane Fights for Animal Rights" will air on Monday, July 5, at 7 p.m. ET on Headline News (HLN).

It's important to show networks that people are interested in animal rights issues, so please watch the program and thank CNN for airing it. Head on over to Facebook to RSVP to this event, and we'll even remind you to tune in!

Written by Amy Skylark Elizabeth

If you've been holding your breath waiting for the day when rats are no longer shoved into tiny containers and forced to breathe chemicals for six hours a day for up to 90 days in order to test chemicals and products such as cigarettes, asbestos, popcorn butter flavoring, jet fuel, and household stain removers, you are probably blue in the face by now. But you may be able to breathe a sigh of relief soon.

Scientists have developed a new apparatus called a lung-on-a-chip that can be used to replace these cruel chemical tests. This artificial lung can mimic the physiology of the organ and can even "breathe."According to a story in New Scientist, the device, which behaves like a real lung, is an "encouraging sign that ethically acceptable and cheaper alternatives to animal testing may be on the way."

PETA's regulatory testing experts (or, as I call them, "really smart staffers") are working hard to reform the government's chemical testing practices and are trying to get government officials to implement modern technology like the lung-on-a-chip. You can help by urging your senators to require the use of alternatives to animal tests in government testing programs. It is the 21st century, after all.

Written by Heather Moore

If you chose "B," you paid more attention in history class than I did.

Washington, D.C., is issuing a license plate commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812, in which parts of the city were burned—including the White House and the Capitol—and they're asking the public for design submissions.

Of course, PETA could not resist the challenge of finding an animal rights message in a 200-year-old war—but rather than focus on that unfortunate burning-of-D.C. thing, we thought it would be better to focus on the national anthem, which was written after a U.S. victory. How does this patriotic play on words strike you?

Written by Alisa Mullins

Phil Guest / CC by 2.0

Animals in Jersey City can rest a lot easier this Fourth of July now that a planned fireworks display has been canceled because of a lack of funds. We're asking city officials to end all future fireworks displays and replace them with less costly, more entertaining laser light shows instead.

Fireworks sound like all-out war to dogs, cats, and wildlife and can have devastating consequences. Just ask J.J., the terrified dog Karin wrote about in her recent blog post. My dog, Henry, and I are planning to just chill at home this year and have our own little laser light show (which consists of him chasing a laser pointer). Good times.

You, too, can ensure that a good (and safe) time is had by everyone in your household by following these dog-and-cat-approved fireworks survival tips. And of course, Happy Fourth of July!

Written by Amy Skylark Elizabeth

Could the Brosnans be any kinder? First, Pierce helped homeless animals by designing a spay-and-neuter license plate, and now Pierce and his wife, Keely, are leading a truly vigorous international effort to make sure that the worldwide ban on whaling—which is now in jeopardy—remains intact. The ban has been in effect since 1986, but the International Whaling Commission (IWC) is considering lifting it if the three countries (Japan, Iceland, and Norway) that are currently ignoring the ban will reduce the number of whales they kill each year. In short, the IWC is proposing to reward these countries for their continued whaling during the international moratorium.

In the weeks leading up to the IWC's vote on this issue, more than 144 scientists and experts have signed a petition urging the IWC to keep the ban on whaling. Pierce has also made this heartfelt plea to the Obama administration not to support a proposed plan that would allow Japan, Iceland, and Norway to continue killing whales while the moratorium is in place: Please, listen and act: The time is now!

Join Pierce, Keely, and other compassionate people who are working to save whales by urging President Obama to take a strong stand against the slaughter of these animals. Call and fax, and get everyone you know to do the same—this minute. If we can't save the whales, what hope is there for other animals?

Written by Lindsay Pollard-Post

Mamma Mia! It's official: Suave film star Pierce Brosnan is a man of many talents—and much compassion for animals.

The actor's whimsical portrait of his own adopted animal companions, Shilo the dog and Coco the kitty, is gracing California's new spay-and-neuter license plate. Proceeds from sales of the special plate will help fund efforts to educate the public about the need to spay and neuter companion animals and will help provide free or low-cost surgeries throughout the state.

Whether all dogs get to have their day (and all cats theirs as well) depends on every caring person to educate others about the companion animal overpopulation crisis and its cure, both in California and beyond.

Via Ecorazzi

Written by Karin Bennett