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Battersea Dogs & Cats Home facts for kids

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Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Battersea logo.png
Formation 2 October 1860; 164 years ago (1860-10-02)
Founder Mary Tealby
Type Charity
Location
Services Animal shelter
Chief Executive
 Peter Laurie
Chair of Trustees
 Paul Baldwin
Revenue (2023)
 £644 million
Staff (2023)
 626
Volunteers (2023)
 628

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, often just called Battersea, is a special place that helps dogs and cats find new homes. It's like a safe haven for pets who are lost or don't have an owner. Battersea takes care of these animals until they can be reunited with their families or find a loving new one. It is one of the oldest and most famous animal rescue centres in the United Kingdom. Battersea started in Holloway, London, in 1860 and moved to Battersea in 1871.

This charity does not get money from the government. It looks after about 240 dogs and 145 cats at its three centres at any given time. Over its long history, Battersea has helped more than 3.1 million dogs and cats.

History of Battersea

1901 advert for battersea dogs home
An advert for Battersea Dogs Home from 1901

Battersea was started in Holloway, London in 1860 by a kind woman named Mary Tealby (1801–1865). She first called it "The Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs." Mary began by caring for dogs in her own home. As more dogs needed help, she rented some nearby stables. She paid for this herself, along with her brother and a friend named Sarah Major.

In 1860, the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) agreed to help. Meetings were held at their offices. At first, some people, like the newspaper The Times, made fun of the idea. They thought it was strange to open a home for dogs when there were homeless people in London. But Mary Tealby had many supporters. One of the most famous was Charles Dickens, a well-known writer. In 1860, he wrote about this "remarkable institution" that had saved "over a thousand" dogs. He noted that the dogs were well cared for. By 1864, the charity was financially stable and helping 2,000 dogs each year.

Battersea began taking in cats in 1883. However, it was still known as Battersea Dogs Home until 2002.

During World War II, the manager, Edward Healey-Tutt, told people not to get rid of their pets because they were worried about food shortages. Throughout the war, Battersea fed and cared for over 145,000 dogs.

In 1979, Battersea opened another centre called Battersea Old Windsor in Berkshire. In 1999, they opened a third centre in Kent, now known as Battersea Brands Hatch.

In 2002, the name was officially changed to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to show that they cared for both animals.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, New Barnet
Collecting donations for Battersea in 2015

To celebrate its 150th birthday in 2010, the charity opened a new cattery (cat house) in London. This was opened by HRH the Duchess of Cornwall. Royal Mail even released special stamps with pictures of dogs and cats adopted from Battersea. A book called A Home of Their Own was also published, telling the story of the charity. It included stories of famous people who adopted pets, like Elton John. Starting in 2011, Battersea launched a campaign called "Staffies. They're Softer Than You Think." This campaign helped teach people that Staffordshire Bull Terriers are often misunderstood.

On March 17, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II visited Battersea. She officially opened the new intake kennels, which were named the Mary Tealby kennels after the founder. In 2016, a new, very modern Veterinary Hospital opened at the London centre.

In 2018, the charity changed its name again to simply "Battersea." This was to show they are there for "every dog and cat." The charity also works to change laws. They led a campaign to increase the maximum sentences for serious animal cruelty crimes in England and Wales from six months to five years. Battersea has been working on this since 2017.

The charity also started the Battersea Academy, which helps other animal rescue centres. In 2019, they launched a campaign called "Rescue Is My Favourite Breed."

The current Chief Executive is Peter Laurie. He took over this role in January 2021.

Royal Patronage

In 1885, Queen Victoria became a royal supporter of the home. Since then, a member of the royal family has always been a patron. Queen Camilla is the current patron. Prince Michael of Kent is the President.

Media and TV Shows

In 1862, Charles Dickens wrote an article about Battersea for his magazine All the Year Round. He called it an "extraordinary monument" to how much English people love dogs.

TV Programmes

Battersea has been featured in many TV shows and documentaries. The Channel 4 show Pet Rescue, which started in 1997, showed life at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. The BBC One show Animal Rescue Live was broadcast live from Battersea for a week in July 2007. This show was presented by Matt Baker and Selina Scott.

ITV's For the Love of Dogs is filmed at Battersea. This show has won many awards, including four National Television Awards. It was also nominated for a BAFTA award in 2013. The show was presented by Paul O'Grady from when it started in 2012 until he passed away in 2023. Since 2024, Alison Hammond has been the presenter. In October 2023, Battersea announced they would name a new veterinary hospital after Paul O'Grady. A special fund set up in his honour helps pay for important medical treatments and surgeries for dogs and cats that need extra care.

Ambassadors

Famous Animals from Battersea

How to Get There

Battersea Power Station tube station is very close to Battersea on Battersea Park Road. You can get there using the Northern line underground train. Battersea Park station and Queenstown Road station are also nearby, just a few minutes' walk away. These stations offer National Rail train services.

See also

  • Animal welfare in the United Kingdom