Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Battersea names hospital in honour of Paul O’Grady
Paul O'Grady presented 11 series of For the Love of Dogs from Battersea.

The presenter served as an ambassador for the charity.

Battersea has paid tribute to its former ambassador Paul O’Grady by naming a veterinary hospital in his honour.

The Paul O’Grady Veterinary Hospital will mean that the comedian and television presenter continues to be closely associated with the charity.

O’Grady presented 11 series of the award-winning documentary For the Love of Dogs, which shone a light on the rescue animals at Battersea.

The charity has also announced how it will spend the money raised by a tribute fund set up following the passing of the popular comedian and television presenter in March. A total of £480,000 was donated to Battersea by members of the public.

As well as funding life-saving and transformative veterinary treatment for animals in the charity’s care, five other animal welfare charities supported by O’Grady will benefit from the donations.

StreetVet, for which O’Grady was also an ambassador, will be receiving a share of the fund, as will RSPCA Ashford Garden Cattery. The cattery was close to the broadcaster’s home in Kent and he served as its president.

The other three charities to benefit are based in Merseyside, where O’Grady grew up. They are Freshfields Animal Rescue, Carla Lane Animals in Need, and The Oldies Club.

Each of the five charities will receive £20,000.

Peter Laurie, chief executive of Battersea, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed and deeply touched by the generous donations from thousands of people following the death of our beloved ambassador, Paul O’Grady. It really is a testament to how loved Paul was, and we shall always be forever grateful for everything he did for us.”

Paul’s husband Andre Portasio added: “Seeing how loved Paul was by so many has been truly touching. Paul was so passionate in his support of rescue animals, and it gives me some comfort to know that through the hard work and commitment of Battersea and other charities Paul’s legacy will live on.

“I know that Paul would have been pleased to know that the most disadvantaged animals he was so fond of championing are getting the love and support they deserve.”

 

Image (C) Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.