Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home - perhaps the world's best loved rescue centre....

Not just a pet rescue centre - Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has a place in the hearts of the British as representing all that is best in a society which loves animals and abhors animal cruelty and neglect.

The Home, initially called The Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs, was founded by a Mrs. Mary Tealby, a penniless divorcee, in a stable yard at Holloway, North London.  She was concerned by the plight and sheer numbers of animals then roaming the streets of London.  At that time, in Victorian Britain, it was a brave thing to do since it was considered quite immoral to be concerned about the fate of 'Dumb Animals' given the poverty and squalor so many Londoners lived in.

Sadly, Mrs Tealby died of cancer only five years later, but not before author and journalist Charles Dickens penned an article called Two Dog Shows in his newspaper in support of the Home. Despite all the odds, Mrs. Tealby was able to see her passion suceed before her death

The Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs moved from Holloway to its present location in Battersea in 1871, changing its name at that time to the Battersea Dogs Home and in 1883 it also began taking in cats.  However; it was only as recently as 2005 that cats were formally added to the Home's title since few people were aware of the dual role of the Home.  So, The Battersea Dogs & Cats Home it now is...

Over the years the Home has expanded and is now situated between the landmark building of the old power station (with its four iconic chimneys), the train tracks and gas station.  People are astonished when they enter the doors of the Home to realise how big it really is, as it looks small from the outside.

Housed on four floors, it comprises suites of kennels, treatment rooms exercise yards etc., all named after areas of London. In addition, there are new outside, all weather, exercise runs being established and there are also kennels for larger beeds like Great Danes and Bull Mastiffs on the other side of the railway lines.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home also operates two other centres, Battersea Old Windsor in Berkshire and Battersea Brands Hatch in Kent.

Animals are brought to the Home as 'strays' and also as 'gifts' by owners no longer able to cope with them.  The strays are held for seven days before being considered for re-homing.  Remarkably, over 45% of all strays are reunited with their owners in that time.

The Battersea policy towards re-homing is clear. There is no time limit to how long an animal is kept at the home, but such is the public interest and awareness of the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home that the vast majority of animals are found new owners within three to four weeks.

All animals are examined by the Home's own veterinary staff and are neutered, or come with a neutering voucher.  In addition, they are microchipped and come with a free ID disc, collar and lead.  They are also insured for six weeks with Pet Plan.

The sheer scale of the three Homes is breathtaking.  A registered charity with an annual budget in excess of £10,000,000 manages to look after 400 dogs and 150 cats at any one time and actually rehomes around 5,000 animals each year.  Just imagine providing 1,000 clean blankets a day - Battersea does...

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home was the first animal welfare organisation to establish a dedicated Behaviour Unit and their experienced staff give every animal a detailed temperament and behavioural assessment.  In addition, extra training and socialisation is given to those that need it and detailed help and advice is provided to new pet owners with behaviour programmes and through our Battersea's Behaviour Advice Line. 

You can watch a short film about Battersea Dogs & Dogs Home on this page and you can visit the Home in person during public hours.