For 159 years, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has rescued and rehomed lost, abandoned, neglected and unwanted pets that have found themselves in need of a second chance. To celebrate the publication of Dogs & Puppies, our second matching game with Battersea, we learned more about the renowned organisation that welcomed their first stray dog in 1860.
Across their three sites – Battersea, Brands Hatch, and Old Windsor – they care for over 7,000 dogs and cats every year. Some have been much-loved pets given up as they can no longer be cared for while others have been abandoned and found wandering the streets.
Battersea believes that every dog and cat should live in a home where they are treated with love, care and respect.
Every dog and cat that comes into Battersea is treated with compassion and dignity and is examined by a member of their veterinary team as well as by highly-experienced and trained behavioural assessors.
If, after assessment, the animal is suitable for rehoming, Battersea will care for it for as long as it takes for the right owner to be found. The charity rehomes an average of seven dogs and nine cats every day and, for their staff and volunteers, there’s nothing better than seeing their animals setting off for their new life.
Battersea aims to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help, caring for them until their owners or loving new homes can be found, no matter how long it takes.
Battersea receives no central government and rely on the incredible generosity and support of the public to care for the thousands of animals who arrive at their gates every year.
Working alongside other companies also makes a huge difference to their effort. Laurence King has partnered with Battersea to help them continue their vital work. Our new games Dogs & Puppies: A Memory Game and Cats & Kittens: A Memory Game have been designed not only to help raise vital funds for Battersea, with a percentage of sales from each product going towards the charity, but also to educate and raise awareness of Battersea’s dogs and cats.
The story below is an example of the many cases that Battersea deals with on a regular basis and has a particularly heart-warming end.
Cleo was a two-year old Bichon Frise who came into Battersea last year along with her five eight-week old puppies. They were all brought in as their previous owner was moving house and the new landlord didn’t allow pets.
The puppies were still feeding when they arrived, but were reaching the stage where they could spend more time away from mum, giving her some recovery time and much-needed rest. Eventually, all the puppies went on to become healthy young pups and quickly found themselves new homes. Cleo herself was later given the all clear by Battersea’s vets and went to a loving new home a few days later.