Los Angeles, Aug 21 - Talent-hunt show moghul Simon Cowell is so fond of dogs that he donates $165,000 every year to an animal shelter.

Cowell gives the massive sum to 'Exorcist' run by actress Linda Blair in Toluca Lake, California because he views it as the next best thing to having his own pet, reported femalefirst.co.uk.

'Simon is a huge dog lover but because he's always travelling he can't have one. He thought it would be a great idea to help Linda out,' said a source.

'He doesn't like to talk about it as he sees it as a private arrangement,' added the source

The shelter cares for neglected and abandoned dogs.

Simon, who has previously judged an RSPCA dog show, has a history of helping animals and has even claimed he plans to leave the bulk of his multi-million dollar fortune to pet shelters.