6/16 Peach Buzz: Gala celebrates shelter's ninth year, cats' nine lives

For a rescue shelter that started with a cat and three kittens, Furkids certainly has attracted some famous friends. First, actress Kassandra Clementi, during her time here filming the VH1 show "Single Ladies," sought out Furkids when she discovered some kittens without a home. (She was bottle-feeding them in her trailer but they were wrecking the place. You know how frisky kittens can be). Now comes word that Jack Hollis, a handsome, striped fellow who was adopted from Furkids about four years ago, landed a bit part in "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail" and might also been seen in "The Change-Up," coming out in August. When we heard the big-screen feline was serving as the unofficial, honorary four-legged celebrity in absentia of Furkids' ninth anniversary gala this Saturday, we had his people call our people. "He was the last of the litter," said Mary Stacy, who is chief among Jack Hollis' people (we actually have no people). "But he is such a lover." Jack Hollis' given name was Clyde, which is the middle name of Stacy's longtime friend, so it was fate that they ended up together. She renamed him to honor her dad, whose name was Jack, and her grandmother, whose maiden name was Hollis. With such a venerable new pedigree, Jack Hollis was destined for greatness. A freelance buyer for movie set designers who's worked on films including "Remember the Titans" and "Glory," Stacy was working on "Madea Goes to Jail" when an office scene needed a framed photo of a cat. Jack Hollis got the call. "Mr. Perry loves animals," Stacy said during an interview this week in her Decatur living room as her furry friend scampered away. (You know how stars hate the paparazzi). Tickets to the gala, planned for 7 to 10 p.m. at Maggiano's in Buckhead, are $50 each and benefit the cage-free, no-kill animal shelter. The event honors Dr. Melvin Gordon, Furkids' veterinarian. For information call 770-613-0880, email event@furkids.org.

Buzz in our ear

Jennifer Hudson has signed on to play a nun in "The Three Stooges" movie that's been filming in Atlanta, but our sources on set haven't seen her yet. We have a great photo gallery of her Tuesday visit to CBS' "The Early Show" posted online: http://bit.ly/mxmBn3. Her appearance airs Friday.