'PETA can suck it': Justin Bieber blasts leftist animal-rights group for criticizing his $35K purchase of exotic cats

After the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called out singer Justin Bieber over reportedly shelling out $35,000 for a pair of exotic cats, Bieber hit back at the leftist group, saying, "PETA can suck it."

'.@PETA can suck it!' Justin Bieber hits back after the animal rights group blasted the singer for spending $35,000 on designer Savannah cats https://t.co/fXTSD58N5e

— Daily Mail Celebrity (@DailyMailCeleb) October 4, 2019

What's the background?

Bieber, 25, bought the Savannah cats — named Sushi and Tuna — for $20,000 and $15,000, respectively, from Illinois-based breeder Select Exotics, the Hollywood Reporter said, adding that the spotted breed is part domestic cat and part African Serval, a wild feline know for its leaping ability. The Savannahs are banned in several states but are allowed in California, the outlet said.

Upon hearing the news, PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said Bieber "could inspire his fans around the world to save a life by adopting a cat from a local animal shelter — rather than fueling the dangerous demand for hybrid cats, contributing to the animal overpopulation crisis, and proving that when it comes to helping animals, his stance so far is 'I don't care,'" according to Page Six.

'PETA can suck it'

But Bieber was having none of it, hitting back on Instagram stories late Thursday night with a screenshot of an article about PETA's criticism of him — along with his "PETA can suck it" response.

PETA can definitely suck it pic.twitter.com/TtIjJlLeXN

— GEEANA (@jbswiftly) October 4, 2019

 The Daily Mail said the singer added, "PETA go focus on real problems. Like poaching, and animal brutality. Ur tripping because I want a specific kind of cat? U weren't tripping when I got my dog Oscar, and he wasn't a rescue... every pet we get must be a rescue? I believe in adopting rescues but also think there are preferences and that's what breeders are for. PETA go help with all of the plastic in the ocean and leave my beautiful cats alone."

And as pet "parents" are want to do, Bieber set up an Instagram account for his furry "children":

Anything else?

PETA has been in the news a good bit of late:

• Late last month, Trader Joe's redesigned an item's packaging to remove "circus artwork" after PETA pressured the grocery store chain.
• In August, PETA complained to New York City officials about "The Tonight Show," saying animals appearing on Jimmy Fallon's late-night program are improperly touched — and officials said they'd investigate.
• PETA even attacked the late conservationist Steve Irwin — "The Crocodile Hunter" — earlier this year on the day he would have turned 57.

As for Bieber, he recently encouraged his millions of Instagram followers to stay strong in their Christian faith even during times of personal struggle. And in August, he led worship at a Los Angeles church and shared his Christian testimony.