Saatchi boss asked for funds to pay vet’s bill
FEW would deny they live an enviable life, with a £1 million London property and a pampered canine.
But when Richard Huntington, the chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi, and his wife Annabel Bird, founder of a luxury lifestyle brand, launched a crowdfunding page to pay for the services of a celebrity vet, they clearly had no concept of the backlash that would follow.
The wealthy couple, who raised more than £5,000 from well-meaning members of the public, have been forced to offer to refund donations after being branded “greedy” and “crass”.
When their Welsh terrier, Edward Lear, who has 100,000 Instagram followers, was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia, they faced a £7,500 bill for his treatment by television’s “supervet” Noel Fitzpatrick.
Ms Bird begged online followers: “I would be so incredibly grateful for any help you can give us with our vet bills.”
The donations flooded in but, after an online backlash, Ms Bird was forced to say: “Our only concern has been for Edward, but if you would like to cancel you donation, then we totally understand.”