More than 110,000 people have donated £1m to an online appeal following the devastating blaze at Manchester Dogs' Home in which more than 50 animals died.
Police are continuing to question a 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of arson after the outbreak of the fire which prompted a huge response from local people who came out to try to rescue the dogs and provide support.
A member of staff at the dogs home told Sky News it was "like something out of a horror film".
Colin Ballance, the liaison officer for Manchester Dogs' Home, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester - one of the country's largest kennels - said the scene was "horrendous" with flames up to 20 feet in the air when he arrived on Thursday night.
A woman saves a dog from the fire. Pic: @manchesterfireMr Ballance managed to rescue two dogs from the building complex before thick black smoke stopped him.
"You could hear them screaming but the thing was, you couldn't do anything," he said.
Mr Ballance said: "It was unbearable, it was like something out of a horror film. Something I don't want to remember if you know what I mean, but I will never forget it."
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jones, from Greater Manchester Police, said a youth from the local area was detained within an hour of the fire being reported just after 7pm.
Residents reported hearing "dogs yelping" as the fire spread through the buildings.
There were reports of people risking their lives by running into the burning building to save animals.
Mr Ballance says he will never forget what happenedPart of the roof of the single-storey kennels collapsed and 30 firefighters battled the flames, said Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service station commander Paul Duggan.
Outrage and shock at the blaze resulted in several fundraising campaigns being launched, which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds within a few hours.
On its Twitter page, Manchester Dogs' Home said: "Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful.
"We are overwhelmed with the offers of help, support and money. Grateful and humbled."
Anna Stansfield, manager of the home's sister facility, Cheshire Dogs' Home, described the fire as "soul destroying".
Firefighters said 150 dogs were rescued. Pic: Manchester FireShe said all the 150 dogs rescued by the fire service would be transferred to its site in Grappenhall, Warrington.
The blaze provoked an angry response on social media, but police warned people not to "take matters into their own hands".
A JustGiving site set up by the Manchester Evening News with the aim of raising £5,000 had secured £500,000 by 11.30am. It hit the £1m mark at about 7.15pm.
The home has cared for more than one million dogs since it was established in 1893.
It is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year.
Police were asking people with donations of bedding, food or bowls to take them to Central Park Police Station.
Reverend Mike McGurk from the nearby Christ Church said they had received donations of dog food and blankets throughout the night.
"People have come from York, Derby and even Stevenage to donate supplies. It's been incredible how strong the support is and how generous people have been," he told Sky News.