They visited a dog shelter for an ITV segment — but what Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly did with 18 unadopted dogs shocked even the staff…
Instead of leaving with one dog, they bought the entire shelter’s vet bill for the year: £74,500. Then Ant adopted a 3-legged greyhound named Maisie. But it’s what Dec did on live TV with his adopted puppy that went viral across the UK…👇🐶❤️
A Home for Every Paw
In the bustling heart of Manchester, where the spirit of community thrived amidst urban hum, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were beloved figures. At 49, the TV duo, known as Ant and Dec, brought laughter to millions through Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent. In the autumn of 2025, during a feel-good ITV segment at a local dog shelter, they did something so extraordinary that it left the staff speechless and the nation in tears.
The segment was meant to be simple: Ant and Dec visiting Paws Haven, a struggling shelter in Manchester, to highlight its work and encourage adoptions. The cameras followed them through kennels filled with wagging tails and hopeful eyes, the air alive with barks. Paws Haven was home to 18 unadopted dogs—many elderly, disabled, or overlooked—facing uncertain futures due to the shelter’s mounting £74,500 vet bill. The staff, led by a dedicated manager named Laura, worked tirelessly but feared closure without funds.
As Ant and Dec toured, they met the dogs: a senior spaniel with a limp, a shy collie, and Maisie, a three-legged greyhound who nuzzled Ant’s hand. Dec, meanwhile, bonded with a scruffy puppy named Pip, who leapt into his lap, tail wagging furiously. Laura shared the shelter’s plight—vet costs for surgeries, medications, and care were crippling them. “These dogs deserve a chance,” she said, her voice heavy. Ant and Dec exchanged a glance, their usual banter replaced by quiet resolve.
Off-camera, they made a decision. They pooled personal funds to cover the shelter’s £74,500 vet bill for the year, wiring the money anonymously through a charity as “Friends of Paws Haven.” But they didn’t stop there. Ant, smitten with Maisie’s gentle spirit, adopted her, promising to give her a home filled with love. Dec, unable to resist Pip’s energy, adopted him too, joking, “This lad’s got more charisma than me!” The staff, unaware of the donation, were thrilled by the adoptions, hoping the segment would inspire others.
The real surprise came during the live Saturday Night Takeaway broadcast a week later. The segment aired, showing Ant and Dec with the dogs, urging viewers to adopt. Then, in an unscripted moment, Dec brought Pip onto the stage, the puppy squirming happily in his arms. “This is Pip,” Dec said, his voice softening, “and he’s got a new home with me. But there’s more.” He revealed their donation, saying, “We couldn’t leave those dogs without care. Someone’s paid their vet bills—£74,500—for the whole year.” The audience gasped, then cheered, as Ant, holding a photo of Maisie, added, “And this girl’s coming home with me. Every dog deserves a family.”
Dec wasn’t done. He held up a small collar tag engraved with “Paws Haven Hero” and announced a new initiative: a fund, seeded with their own money, to help shelters across the UK. “Pip’s my mate now,” Dec said, his eyes misty, “but this is for every dog still waiting.” He knelt, letting Pip scamper across the stage, and the crowd erupted, many in tears. The cameras panned to Laura in the audience, sobbing with gratitude, realizing Ant and Dec were the anonymous donors.
The moment went viral. Clips of Dec with Pip and Ant’s quiet nod to Maisie flooded social media. “Ant & Dec saved a shelter and adopted dogs!” one post read. “Crying for Maisie and Pip,” another said. The hashtag #PawsHavenHeroes trended, with fans sharing photos of their own rescue dogs. The ITV switchboard was overwhelmed with adoption inquiries, and by week’s end, all 18 Paws Haven dogs found homes—families inspired by Ant and Dec’s actions.
The staff at Paws Haven were stunned. Laura, in a tearful call to Ant and Dec, said, “You didn’t just save our dogs—you gave us hope.” The shelter, now debt-free, expanded its outreach, offering training for rescue dogs and classes for kids to learn about animal care. Ant visited with Maisie, who bounded happily despite her missing leg, while Dec brought Pip, whose playful energy lit up the kennels. The dogs’ new families sent photos—Maisie napping on Ant’s sofa, Pip chasing balls in Dec’s garden—each a testament to second chances.
The reason behind their actions came out in a quiet interview. “We saw those dogs’ eyes,” Dec said. “They’re like family, waiting for love. We had to help.” Ant added, “Maisie’s my girl now. She reminds me life’s about showing up for those who need you.” Their humility only amplified the story’s impact. Fans mailed letters, one from a child who adopted a dog because of them: “You made me want to save a pup too.”
In Manchester, Paws Haven became a beacon, its new sign reading, “Saved by Ant & Dec.” The fund they started helped dozens of shelters, with donations pouring in from viewers. At a Britain’s Got Talent taping, Laura surprised them on stage, bringing Maisie and Pip. The audience roared as Dec scooped up Pip, laughing through tears, and Ant knelt to pet Maisie. “You lot are the real heroes,” Ant said, pointing to the crowd.
Years later, a letter arrived from a teen who’d volunteered at Paws Haven. “You showed me kindness saves lives,” she wrote, now studying to be a vet. Ant and Dec read it backstage, their eyes glistening, knowing some acts—quiet, from the heart—give more than a home; they give hope.
