Film star pooch brings donations to rescue centre

Eleanor Lawson
BBC News, West Midlands
Birmingham Dogs Home Peggy – a pug and Chinese crested cross dog - sits on a sofa which has a green blanket on it. Two purple cushions which say Birmingham Dogs Home are on the sofa, next to a small blue sign which says thank you on it in yellow letters, with illustrations of dogs on it. Peggy wears a light grey harness with illustrations of Highland cow faces on it.Birmingham Dogs Home
Peggy captured the hearts of Deadpool & Wolverine fans, and now the hearts of the Birmingham Dogs Home volunteers

A dog who shot to stardom as Marvel's 'Dogpool', after being crowned Britain's ugliest dog, has paid a visit to a dog rescue centre to help drop off a donation.

Peggy, who starred in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine alongside Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, went to Birmingham Dogs Home this week along with her owners.

The five-year-old pugese – a pug and Chinese crested cross – was adopted after being born the runt of an accidental litter.

Peggy and her owners handed over a £627 donation, raised during Comic Con Midlands, to the charity, which has sites in Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

Reuters Peggy being held by Ryan Reynolds, in a turquoise jacket, who is standing next to Hugh Jackman in a naby blue jacket. Both stars have short dark hair and are standing in front of a Deadpool-branded wall. Reuters
Peggy joined Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman on the red carpet for the Deadpool & Wolverine film

The money raised will provide shelter, food, and medical treatment for the dogs cared for by Birmingham Dogs Home – which rescues more than 2,000 animals each year.

The charity said it received no government funding and relied solely on the generosity of donors.

It costs the charity £6,000 a day just to keep the doors open, and it said every single penny raised was vital.

Birmingham Dogs Home Peggy – a pug and Chinese crested cross dog - sits on a sofa with her owner and is surrounded by a group of 17 volunteers from Birmingham Dogs Home, most of whom wear light green charity shirts. They are sitting and standing in front of a wall decoration reading "Helping homeless dogs find happier tomorrows"Birmingham Dogs Home
Peggy dropping off the giant cheque to the dogs home with her owners

Rachel Frost, fundraising manager at Birmingham Dogs Home, said: "We were all a little star-struck to have the real life Dogpool, Peggy, visit our charity but are extremely grateful for her taking time out of her busy schedule to support our rescue dogs.

"The £627 raised at Comic Con Midlands will go towards caring for our dogs across both of our centres – all of which are unique and quirky characters, just like Peggy!"

Peggy won Britain's Ugliest Dog competition in 2023. The organisers, photography printing firm Parrot Print, said the judges were never in doubt who the winner would be and that they "absolutely adored" her.

Holly Middleton, Peggy's owner, added: "It was lovely to visit Birmingham Dogs Home and get a behind-the-scenes look at the amazing work that they did.

"I know Peggy and I are very proud to have been able to support them."

Reuters Ryan Reynolds holding Peggy the pugese dog. Reynolds is kissing the back of Peggy's head, while Peggy has her tongue out and is wearing a black and red Deadpool outfitReuters
Ryan Reynolds kisses his co-star Peggy, Britain's 'ugliest dog'

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