Battersea Dogs & Cats Home: A World Without Homeless Animals

Founded in 1860 by Mrs. Mary Tealby, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is one of the UK's oldest and most famous animal rescue charities. Currently made up of three centers in Battersea (London), Old Windsor (Berkshire), and Brands Hatch (Kent), the Home aims to never turn away a dog or cat in need. The organization reunites lost pets with their owners; when this isn't possible, the dogs and cats are cared for until they can be placed in new homes. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home also educates the public about responsible pet ownership.

Originally established as the Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs in Holloway, North London, the charity moved to its current location in Battersea in 1871. A little over a decade later, the Home began taking in cats. Since its inception, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has cared for more than 3 million animals. Now London's leading animal rehoming center, it has been part of southwest London for as long as people can remember. Working towards a world where all cats and dogs are in loving and permanent homes, Battersea will look after a dog or cat for as long as necessary and never put an animal to sleep unless there are significant temperament or medical issues that will make rehoming unlikely.

In 2011, Battersea spent £13.5 million caring for 9,000 animals; found new homes for 5,255; and reunited 104 lost cats and 1,094 lost dogs with their owners. Last year, the Home's 331 staff members were assisted by 616 volunteers who donated nearly 66,200 hours of their time exercising and socializing the animals, helping in the offices and at events, and raising awareness about responsible pet ownership in schools.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has enjoyed royal patronage since 1884 and celebrity support since the early 1860s, when Charles Dickens wrote an article about the Home in his newspaper.