Frankly any excuse to use a picture of Morrissey on Hippyshopper, but especially one of him wearing a cat on his head - is that the worst wig you've ever seen?

Anyway, despite looking a bit, well, eccentric, it's all for a good cause: to end animal testing for new cosmetics sold in the European Union.

Explains Morrissey: "Say no to injecting, force-feeding or forcing animals to inhale substances for a new lipstick or shampoo. Please join me in signing the BUAV No Cruel Cosmetics petition to stop the sale of new animal tested cosmetics in the EU."

Despite UK and EU bans on animal testing for cosmetics, products can still be tested on animals in other parts of the world and then imported and sold in the EU. A marketing ban which would end this cruelty is due to come into effect in 2013.

However, it is now in danger of being delayed, thereby putting thousands more animals at risk, who will continue to suffer and die needlessly in cruel tests for new beauty products sold in the EU.

A delay could mean that hundreds of thousands more rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats will be injected, gassed or force-fed cosmetics worldwide for new beauty products sold in the EU, including the UK.

Morrissey joins a number of high profile celebrities to sign the No Cruel Cosmetics petition, including Sir Paul McCartney, Sienna Miller, Jodie Kidd, Jenny Seagrove and Kimberly Wyatt.

The No Cruel Cosmetics petition has over 140,000 signatories. It can be found at NoCruelCosmetics.org

The BUAV (British Union Against Vivisection) Chief Executive, Michelle Thew, stated: "We are delighted that Morrissey is helping the BUAV save animals from suffering and death in tests for cosmetics products sold in the EU. Please join him to help us end this cruelty. Add your name to the BUAV petition at www.NoCruelCosmetics.org today."

Who eats turkey at Christmas?! Not these compassionate celebrities, who have made the choice not to gobble down something that used to ... gobble.

Here are our favourite veggie and vegan celebrities who will be tucking into their nutloaf or Quorn roast this Chrimbo!

For the full list of celebrities go to Peta's website

Tonight on Remembrance Day, 11 November, British celebrities like Peter Andre, Martine McCutcheon, Ester Rantzen, and Nicky Clarke will show their support for our furry friends as they attend the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home's Collars & Coats Gala ball, the biggest annual fundraiser for the animal charity.

The Battersea Home's legendary Guard of honour, made up of dozens of Battersea dogs, will line the red carpet entrance and will most certain provide an emotional welcome to the guests.

The Collars and Coats Gala Ball, which celebrates Battersea's unparalleled work caring for thousands of lost, abandoned and unwanted animals, is hosted by media personality Peter Andre and promises a high octane evening with a distinguished guest list that boasts the showbiz and entertainment glitterati, influential business leaders, society and public figures, stars from the world of sport and British Royalty.

There will be musical performances by legendary act Status Quo as well as Lulu.

Guests include celebrated British actresses Prunella Scales and Martine McCutcheon, fashionista Brix Smith Start, television presenters Esther Rantzen, Kate Walsh and Jasmine Harman, Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel-Horwood, and celebrity hair-dresser Nicky Clarke.

Stage and screen star Sienna Miller has joined the increasing list of high profile celebrities supporting the BUAV No Cruel Cosmetics campaign to end animal testing for toiletries and cosmetics sold in the EU.

The UK and EU have already banned the use of animals to test cosmetics and toiletries, but companies are still able to sell products in the EU that have been tested on animals in other parts of the world. A ban on the import and sale of new animal tested cosmetics products in the EU is due to come into effect in 2013 but might be delayed, so BUAV have launched a European-wide campaign to put pressure on the decision makers to ensure the ban comes into effect as planned. Other celebrities who are already supporting the campaign are Sir Paul McCartney, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and British actress Jenny Seagrove.

You can do your share by signing the No Cruel Cosmetics petition which is being sent to the European Parliament and help put a stop to the needless suffering of animals to feed our beauty addiction.

Kelly Brook unveils her campaign for PETA targeting the exotic skins trade on the eve of London Fashion Week in Covent Garden, London.

The 31 year old model was shot with a snakeskin painted onto her body by singer Bryan Adams for the animal rights group in order to highlight the cruelty suffered by reptiles that are killed for their skin.

Brook says: "It makes my skin crawl to think about the violent ways snakes, lizards, alligators and other exotic creatures are raised and killed for boots, bags and belts."

The Government's Climate Change act has committed Britain to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to an 80% reduction by 2050, with the aim of a 34% cut by 2030. While buying organic was a massive trend in the late 90s, the movement has in more recent years been pushed aside for other green ways of living such as growing your own and buying locally. But organic is not gone and forgotten and September is Organic Month.

To hit the governments targets we must all make fundamental changes to the way we farm, process, distribute prepare and eat our food over the next twenty years says the Soil Association. We all have to think about how we can encourage climate-friendly food production that is less dependent on oil-based fertilisers and pesticides

Organic farmers adhere to a strict set of standards that define what they can and can't do, and that really takes wildlife and environment protection into consideration. Check out the Soil Association website for the rules and regulations of organic farming.

But buying organic is not just about the farming, it also trickles into health and beauty products; it is about food and products that are good for you, good for animals and good for the environment - it is a way of life. Throughout September we'll bring you stories to tie in with living an organic lifestyle and what you can do to get involved. So keep checking in!

September is finally upon us and with it comes double cause for elation. While the fashionista in us can make merriment with London Fashion Week (and all the goings-on and prep surrounding it), the determinedly green side of us can also embrace Organic September. What's more, the coming week marks Wool Week, dedicated to ensuring that sheep may safely graze (thanks J.S Bach).

To celebrate this wooly week, John Lewis are set to launch a Cornish Organic Wool range certified by the Soil Association, which proudly ticks every box of THE international standard for organic textiles.

COW was founded by Matt and Julia Hopson and is based in Penzance in Cornwall (which you probably gathered). Matt expresses delight in being able to see his quality spun yarn make the high street and over at John Lewis, Haberdashery buyer Sam Drysdale says: "Our customers are increasingly interested in provenance." It's with some intrigue then (I think, anyway!) that shoppers will learn the new range is sourced from Prince Charles's Duchy Home Farm.

Look out for the the Organic John Lewis range next week in London's Oxford Street branch!

Actress Joanna Lumley posed for photographer John Swannell wearing the solid gold, diamond-encrusted Shere Khan Necklace, which is hoped to raise at least £300,000 for the Born Free Foundation.

Designed by award-winning jeweller Catherine Best to depict the tiger in Rudyard Kipling's 'Jungle Book', the jewellery holds 182 precious stones set in nearly a kilo of 18ct gold and has been independently valued at more than £500,000.

Joanna, who revealed her love for cats, big and small, in a TV show last year, described the necklace as "blingtastic" and compared it to pieces worn by members of the royal family.

She said: "I feel very much that it's almost a royal piece. The necklace is so special it can be worn with anything, though I feel a strapless evening gown and long evening gloves would show it to perfection. The moment you put the necklace on, it comes alive!

"It feels great, like a badge of office, but it's incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. It reminds me of the fabulous pieces in the Duchess of Windsor's collection - panthers and leopards. I adore extreme looks and this is blingtastic!"

The Sher Khan Necklace will be auctioned worldwide from yesterday May 31 until June 17, when a gala evening will be held at the Savoy Hotel in London to mark the 80th birthday of actress Virginia McKenna, who founded the Born Free Foundation.

Former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and British actress Joanna Lumley are asking people who are buying Easter presents to help save rabbits by buying beauty and personal care gifts that have not been tested on animals.

These products can easily be identified by the Leaping Bunny Logo that symbolises the product has been approved by the BUAV's Humane Cosmetics Standard, which guarantees a company doesn't test their cosmetics and toiletries on animals.

Kimberley, who is also the founder of a new cruelty-free cosmetics brand BM Beauty, said: "Please be kind to bunnies this Easter - don't buy animal tested cosmetics and toiletries when choosing gifts for your loved ones. Look out for the BUAV's Leaping Bunny logo."

Joanna added: "I'm helping rabbits this Easter by only buying cruelty-free cosmetics. Look out for the BUAV's Leaping Bunny logo."

Despite bans in the UK and EU that prevent animals from being used to test cosmetics and toiletries, products that have been cruelly tested on animals in other parts of the world are still allowed to be sold and the BUAV is campaigning for a ban that will prevent this from happening.

Kimberley and Joanna are not the only stars lending their support to BUAV to end cruel animal testing. In March, Sir Paul McCartney joined the animal rights charity in a European campaign.

You can sign the No Cruel Cosmetics petition at www.nocruelcosmetics.org.

The world's leading animal welfare and environmental organisation WWF are currently trying to raise vital funds to help protect the forest home of the spectacled bear. As part of this appeal they have teamed up with origami expert Joseph Wu to challenge you to make an origami spectacled bear!

Here at Hippyshopper we're always up for a challenge, so we invested in some green (our colour), recycled paper (only the finest for the bears), and followed the step-by-step video instructions below.

Spectacled Bear from Joseph Wu on Vimeo.

In hindsight the paper was perhaps a wee bit too thick for origami, but the result was pretty decent!

We've shared our green paper bear on WWF's Facebook page - will you?!

Follow Hippyshopper on Facebook.

We all knew the McCartney's were kind to animals being vegetarian and all; now Sir Paul McCartney is lending his support to end cruel cosmetics tests on animals.

The Beatles legend has joined a campaign for animal rights charity British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) to put a stop to animal testing for toiletries and cosmetic products sold in the European Union (EU).

He said: "Animals should not suffer in the name of beauty. Testing toiletries and cosmetics on animals is cruel and unnecessary. Join me in signing the BUAV's petition to ensure the sale of cruel products in the EU is outlawed by 2013. Say NO to Cruel Cosmetics."

You can do your part and sign the No Cruel Cosmetics petition at www.nocruelcosmetics.org

Being a compassionate consumer has never been easier with the latest edition of the BUAV's Little Book of Cruelty Free, enabling shoppers to make ethical choices and buy cosmetic, personal care and household products that haven't been tested on animals.

Contrary to popular belief, products that are tested on animals are still on sale and widely available throughout the EU, including in the UK. The latest Little Book of Cruelty Free lists over 100 companies which have all been awarded the Leaping Bunny logo and are guaranteed by BUAV to be free from animal testing.

BUAV is campaigning to end animal testing for all beauty products sold in Europe with the No Cruel Cosmetics campaign backed by BUAV Approved companies including Marks & Spencer, Bulldog male grooming, Neal's Yard, Suma and BM Beauty.

Over 16,000 supporters have already signed the No Cruel Cosmetics campaign petition to the European Commission. Please join them at www.nocruelcosmetics.org.

Download your free copy here!

Great news for cows in Lincolnshire as the plans to build the UK's largest dairy farm have been scrapped.

Nocton Dairies Ltd wanted to build a farm that would house 3,770 cows near Lincoln, which consequently would have created Britain's first 'super farm' a phenomenon currently found across the pond. The plans received widespread opposition as concerns about the environmental and animal welfare impacts were raised. The application has now been removed following objection by the Environmental Agency amid concerns about the potential for pollution seeping through limestone into groundwater, from which drinking supplies are drawn.

Speaking to the BBC, Suzi Morris of the World Society for the Protection of Animals said: "This is a victory for consumers, dairy farmers and, of course, the cows within it"

The horrific truth is that this super dairy farm was only half the size of the originally proposed farm of over 8,000 cows on one single site.

Image from here.

News this week that China has struck a deal with the UK and - for the first time in almost two decades - two giant pandas will take residence in Edinburgh Zoo is sure to make Brits go panda crazy.

The arrival of Tian Tian (sweet) and Yangguang (sunlight) have already increased the interest of pandas on the Isles if looking at the news articles surrounding the race and its wellbeing. Not to mention that pandas are extremely cute!

But expect more panda mania later this year as the World Wildlife Foundation (WFF) celebrates its 50th anniversary. The world's leading independent environmental organisation - famous for its panda logo - has already started marking the occasion, and we're certain to hear more about it in the months to come.

There are many things that you can do to help support the work of the WWF: switch off your lights for WWF's Earth Hour; buy a set of Royal Mail commemorative set of stamps celebrating its 50th anniversary; make a donation; or volunteer to campaign with the charity.

One of the more popular ways to help is to adopt an animal in great danger of extinction. Choose between polar bears, bottlenose dolphins, Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, Amur leopards, orang-utans, black rhinos, Hawksbill turtles, Adélie penguins, jaguars, or giant pandas. For as little as £3 per month, you can help ensure these species will be around for future generations.

WWF is a challenging, constructive, science-based organisation that addresses issues from the survival of species and habitats to climate change, sustainable business and environmental education. Its global network spans across more than 90 countries and is almost wholly dependent on its five million supporters worldwide. The UK division was launched on 23 November 1961.

For more information visit www.wwf.org.uk

Photo: WWF / Bernard de Wetter

Do you remember Tamagotchi, the hand held digital pet that emerged from Japan in the late nineties and took tweenies by storm?

Since then, digital pets all over the world have moved into social gaming and have found a home on Facebook, where they have created their own Pet Society. With over 13 million players joining in each month, Pet Society lets you create uber cute virtual pets that you then need to care for; nurturing their health and happiness by dressing them in the latest fashions (much like reality really) and lavishing them in luxury virtual goods.

But what about real animals who also need some TLC to live happy and healthy lives?

The creators of Pet Society, Playfish is supporting the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and its efforts to protect the future of nature. Between 1st November 2010 and 1st January 2011, Playfish will donate 10 cents to WWF for every new player who installs Pet Society via the Play to Give website.

So when your kids ask for a puppy this Christmas why not set them up with a virtual tiger or polar bear on Pet Society instead?

And the best thing about the game, after donating to WWF of course: it's free! But we won't tell anyone.

Since July 2009, Playfish has donated 10% of the purchase price of every WWF virtual item in Pet Society to WWF, with a guaranteed contribution of $100,000 per year. More than 520,000 items have been sold to date.