Paul O'Grady tribute fund sees Battersea Dogs Home inundated with £200k in donations

Donations to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home have now topped £200,000 in the wake of Paul O'Grady's death.

The animal rescue centre has been inundated with generosity from members of the public following the news of O'Grady, 67, passing away earlier this week.

Now donations to a tribute fund set up by the charity in honour of O'Grady have reached £204,208 at the time of writing.

Read more: Paul O'Grady's daughter admits devastation at loss of her father

O'Grady filmed 10 seasons of his hit ITV show Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs at the shelter with the 11th due to air later this month.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Chief Executive Peter Laurie has admitted they have been "overwhelmed and touched" by support for the charity in recent days and have been inundated with messages from the public.

The charity is now looking at a permanent tribute to O'Grady for the work he did with them.

Laurie told the Mirror: “We will be looking to find a suitably fitting way to remember the profound impact Paul had at Battersea and the rescue animal sector — something that will support the animals Paul loved so much, and that would make him proud.”

Donations to the fund have been worldwide thanks to it being broadcast in several countries around the globe with O'Grady helping to raise their profile.

O'Grady previously spoke of his love for Battersea and the show in 2012. He said: “Hand on heart. This has been one of the nicest jobs I’ve ever had.

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“Battersea is a magical place. People think it’s all doom and gloom but it’s not, it’s such a happy place. I’ve had a ball. It’s such an enriching place to work. I’m coming back. They can’t get rid of me.

“Once I became really involved, I’d go home and worry about the dogs. I’d be ringing friends saying, ‘I’ve found a lovely dog for you’. The aim of the game for me became to re-home these dogs.

“I’d like to see this place empty. All go off to nice homes. Hopefully, after watching the programmes, that's what’s going to happen.”

Watch: Paul O'Grady passes away aged 67

The TV personality adopted several dogs after spending time with them at Battersea.

These included a chihuahua Jack Russell cross named Eddie, Dachshund Sausage, a Shih Tzu called Boycie, Maltese Conchita, and crossbreeds Arfur and Nancy.