Not only has the performer and writer got multiple shows in the pipeline, including a new series of Life's Too Short which apparently is in its embryonic stage, and a new series of The Ricky Gervais Show coming out, but Gervais has also found time this week to support two of his favourite animal charities…

Ricky Gervais, increasingly well known for supporting animal rights, rubbed shoulders with MPs and other influential folk earlier this week at the House of Lords in London, supporting Tiger Time, the tiger conservation charity launched by David Shepherd in 2011.

Ricky Gervais was joined by Joanna Lumley, Robert Lindsay and others who are all calling for a ban on the trade in tiger parts, which is recognised for its role in fuelling the destruction of tigers.

The Tiger Time charity draws attention to the fact time is running out for tigers… There are thought to be only about 3,000 tigers left in the wild so the beautiful animals are seriously endangered, especially rare species like the Sumatran tiger.

As well as deforestation one of the key factors driving the last wild tigers to possible extinction is the demand for their parts for traditional Chinese medicines.

Animal lover Gervais has reportedly generated more than 100,000 signatures from his fans for Shepherd's ban the tiger trade campaign, which is calling on the Chinese government to introduce a complete embargo on tiger part sales… the star is still urging fans to support the charity’s campaign in whatever way they can…

As part of the campaign a ban the tiger trade petition will be handed to the Chinese ambassador in April by a trustee of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

Gervais has also been in action this week as an advocate for other animals, including rabbits and guinea pigs, on behalf of the BUAV charity, which is launching a new global campaign and organisation against animal testing for cosmetics and other product use.

The campaign Cruelty Free International, a new global non-profit organisation, wants to see an end to the use of animals in product testing on an international scale.

On the occasion of the launch yesterday (15/3) Cruelty Free International spokesman Gervais highlighted that animal testing for cosmetics is still allowed in most parts of the world (80 per cent) and that means that companies which use animals for testing can simply move from countries where it is banned to the parts of the world where it is legal, to continue the practice.

The new organisation aims for a global ban on animal testing as the only way to eradicate the cruel treatment, inflicted on a variety of animals for products such as shampoo…

"We urgently need a worldwide ban on this cruel and unnecessary suffering…" explains Gervais… on behalf of Cruelty Free International.

The new charity organisation, for which Gervais is official ambassador, aims to coordinate campaigns internationally, working with partner organisations as well as governments, regulators and companies.