Battersea Dogs' Home

Since it first opened its doors to strays back in 1860, Battersea Dogs' Home has rescued and rehomed around three million animals. While initially it focused on dogs, today it rescues and rehomes cats as well, providing a full service, including veterinary treatment, for the many animals in its care.

As well as the main rehoming centre (Battersea Dogs' Home in London). it also operates two further animal rescue centres - the Old Windsor Centre in Berkshire and the Brands Hatch Centre in Kent. Between them, they manage to save some 7,000 homeless dogs and cats annually.

As a registered charity, Battersea has drawn up an animals' charter that ensures it more than meets the requirements of animal welfare legislation in the UK. It has a non-selective policy - meaning there isn't any discrimination against animals, no matter what their breed, age, condition, temperament or health issues. The charity believes no animal should be turned away and pledges to give them all a chance at life.

History

Animal-lover, Mary Tealby, launched Battersea Dogs' Home in 1860. A supporter of the RSPCA, the 59-year-old Holloway resident had become increasingly upset at the sight of homeless dogs starving in the streets. She opened an animal shelter on St James's Road as a temporary rescue for lost dogs, in the hope they could be kept safe until they were reunited with their owner.

It was never intended to be a permanent home for dogs who had been abandoned by their family. Nor was it meant to be an animal hospital. However, it soon evolved that way - and because Tealby wasn't well off, she focused most of her efforts on fundraising when she became the rescue's governor in 1861.

The rescue moved to Battersea, its present home, in 1871. During the next 147 years, it continued to expand, with many refurbishments taking place throughout the 20th century, including the construction of new kennels in th e 1940s.

The first cats were rescued in 1960, while the Old Windsor home opened in 1979 and the Brands Hatch Centre 20 years later. Battersea opened its new £5 million cattery in London in 2010 to celebrate its 150th anniversary. More kennels were opened in 2015 by the charity's patron, Queen Elizabeth II.

Funding

Battersea receives no government funding and its continued success is dependent on donations from members of the public ? who help the charity raise millions of pounds to save animals' lives. People can also arrange to leave a legacy in their will to Battersea. In 2015, the charity raised an amazing £36.7 million.

When rehoming animals, Battersea carefully vets prospective owners to ensure the dogs and cats are going to a suitable, loving, forever home. It also makes sure the animals are properly socialised before being released to their new owners.

Battersea provides a period of free pet insurance and an initial supply of pet food for every animal it rehomes - to help the new owners. There is also the provision of a veterinary outpatient service for three months after rehoming, if the medical condition relates to the animal's time at Battersea.

Microchipping

In addition to looking after abandoned dogs and cats, caring for their medical needs and rehoming them, the charity also runs a lost pets telephone service to try and reunite missing animals with their family.

Battersea promotes a free microchipping service to this end, particularly since it's now the law that all dogs must be microchipped - the charity recognises that some people may not be able to afford the microchip.

Other dog and cat rescue centres across the UK liaise with the Battersea Animal Partnerships team to coordinate efforts to find suitable homes for dogs and cats countrywide.

In recent years, television presenter and self-confessed dog lover, Paul O'Grady, has provided invaluable publicity for Battersea Dogs' Home, thanks to his fly-on-the-wall documentary series, For the Love of Dogs, where he plays an active role in meeting and playing with the dogs in the shelter, finding out their history and doing his best to help them find a new home. The series began in 2012 and is still going strong today.

Animal shelters, kennels and individuals who have dogs and cats want only the best for the pets in their care. After all, they soon become members of the family!

Solent Plastics provides a range of plastic storage solutions suitable for dog and cat foods, toys and pet treats. Our airtight food storage bins will ensure that the contents are kept in tip-top condition for your furry friends.

Contact us on 01794 514478 or email sales@solentplastics.co.uk for further information.