(Article from Sunday Mirror. Dated 12/12/1999. Author: Gerard Couzens. Edition: 3. Page: 36)

ANIMAL LOVER Irving Graham has set up his own Internet site to find new homes for thousands of stray pets....even though he's only seven.

Irving was inspired by the rescue stories on his favourite TV shows - Pet Rescue and Animal Hospital. And he presuaded his father to spend £2000 to help set up the website.

Then Irving was staggered to find that 15,000 had logged onto his pet rescue site on the very first day.

Now every day when he comes home from school, Irving sifts through the hundreds of photos of unwanted pets which members of the public are sending in.

The youngster has even sent 300 disposable cameras to rescue centres around Britain so staff can send back pictures of animals in need of a home and he can put them on the web. The site was launched a week ago and already nearly 20,000 people have now visited it to read the tales of dispair across the country.

Messages of support have been pouring in from celebrities including millionaire businessman Richard Branson. Tony Blair has sent an e-mail congratulating Irving on his idea and the Queen has also written him a letter, praising him for his idea.

Four dogs at rescue centres in the South of England have been rehoused already.

Irving's father, also called Irving, said: 'I feel incredibly proud of my son. It's just brilliant. He's a real softie when it comes to animals. Buster, his pet Staffordshire Bull Terrier, sleeps at the end of his bed every night. His favourite programmes are Pet Rescue and Animal Hospital and some of the rescue stories have really affected him. I have my own business website and he's always wanted to know about the Internet. That's how he got the idea.'

Father of four Irving, 28, is now giving up his job running a property clearance company so he can help his son full-time. The site - www.giveusahome.co.uk - has already generated 2000 e-mails, congratulating the schoolboy and giving details of lost and unwanted pets.

Every day, dozens of photos of stray pets arrive at the family's three-bedroom semi in Newcastle upon Tyne, which have to be posted on the Internet alongside the rescue centre number.

Mr Graham said: 'We make absolutely no money whatsover from this site and we don't accept any donations. All we're looking for is help from companies like Kodak to donate disposable cameras in return for a free advert ont he Internet site. In ever thought it would be this big but I'm seriously considering giving up my job. I've got four children to feed but how can I turn round and tell my son I can't help him? It would break his heart.'

Irving's website lists the pets he wants to find homes for under three categories - dogs and puppies, cats and kittens, and other animals - alongside the relevant contact numbers.

Alison Burton, Irving's head teacher at Colegate Primary Community School, Gateshead, said: 'We're very proud of Irving. It's delightful to see children taking the initiative modern technology to do something worthwhile.'

Irving said: 'I love animals and I hate the idea of them suffering. If my idea can save the life of just one animal, all this will have been worthwhile. I'm so happy so many people have seen my site.'

© 2000 Gale Group and MGN Ltd.