Three years after the passing of beloved television presenter Paul O’Grady, his extensive collection of rescue animals continues to be cared for, finding new homes and sanctuaries. O’Grady, who would have celebrated his 68th birthday today, was deeply committed to animal welfare, dedicating a significant part of his life to rescuing and rehoming creatures of all kinds.
A Lifelong Advocate for Animals
O’Grady was known for his profound love for animals, extending his care beyond his five rescue dogs – Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage – to include pigs, alpacas, chickens, sheep, and goats. His passion was a prominent feature on his television shows, including ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’ and ITV’s ‘For the Love of Dogs’. He also served as a dedicated ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and a patron for Orangutan Appeal UK and Wildlife SOS.
At the time of his sudden death in March 2023, O’Grady shared his home with his husband, Andre Portasio, and their menagerie. Tragically, he had lost one of his pet pigs, Tom Tom, shortly before his own passing.
A Friend’s Recollection
A close friend, Malcolm Prince, recalled the bustling environment of O’Grady’s home, describing walks around the duck pond followed by visits to the chickens, owls, pigs, and alpacas. Prince noted O’Grady’s unique connection with his animals, remarking, “He talked to them all, and sometimes they talked back! He was a real life Doctor Dolittle.”
Prince also shared poignant conversations with O’Grady about mortality, particularly as some of his pigs had to be humanely euthanized due to illness. “By God, he cared about those animals,” Prince stated. “He would get up at five in the morning to go and feed them and care for them even though he really hated getting up early!”
A Compassionate Redistribution
Following O’Grady’s death, arrangements were made to ensure the welfare of his animals, particularly as the residence was put up for sale. The pigs have been relocated to a sanctuary and are reportedly thriving, with a friend of O’Grady’s maintaining contact with their caretaker. O’Grady’s own friend, Moira, has taken on the responsibility of caring for his dogs, a role she frequently fulfilled when he was away on business. O’Grady had specifically ed his wish for her to look after them.
The relocation of the remaining animals was necessitated by the sale of the property, as accommodating a large number of animals was not feasible for potential buyers.
