Following the passing of the TV and radio presenter in March at the age of 67, who had served as an ambassador for Battersea since 2012, a tribute fund was established by the animal charity in his honor. This fund has raised £480,000 to date, largely due to the success of ITV’s acclaimed show “For The Love Of Dogs,” which had 11 series filmed at the Battersea home.
To commemorate what would have been Paul O’Grady’s 11th anniversary as an ambassador for the charity, Battersea recently declared its intention to allocate the funds for “life-saving and transformative medical procedures” for dogs and cats requiring specialized care and treatment. Additionally, £100,000 from the fund will be distributed among five other animal charities that held significance for O’Grady, with each organization receiving £20,000.
These supported charities include Freshfields Animal Rescue, Carla Lane Animals In Need, and The Oldies Club, all located near O’Grady’s hometown of Liverpool. A portion of the funds will also be allocated to StreetVet, an organization providing veterinary care to pets of individuals experiencing homelessness, an initiative O’Grady actively supported. The RSPCA Ashford Garden Cattery, where he served as president, will also receive a share.
Paul’s husband, Andre Portasio, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support and mentioned O’Grady’s strong advocacy for rescue animals. He believes that through Battersea and other charities’ dedication, O’Grady’s legacy will endure, ensuring that disadvantaged animals he championed receive the care and support they deserve.
Paul O’Grady’s impact in the realm of animal welfare was notably recognized with a special recognition award at the 2018 National Television Awards for the profound influence of “For The Love Of Dogs” in facilitating pet adoptions. In 2023, posthumously, the show also won the factual entertainment award.
Furthermore, O’Grady received an RSPCA animal hero award to acknowledge his contributions in this field. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s chief executive, Peter Laurie, conveyed deep gratitude for the generous donations received from numerous individuals following O’Grady’s passing. Battersea intends to honor his legacy by utilizing the funding to go the extra mile in providing costly surgery, medication, or rehabilitation for animals in need, thereby upholding O’Grady’s dedication to supporting rescue animals. Battersea also plans to name its veterinary hospital in his memory.
Conclusion:
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home honors TV star Paul O’Grady by naming their vet hospital after him. The charity recognizes him as a dedicated advocate for those in need.
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