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Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, now
known as Battersea, is an animal rescue centre for dogs and
cats. Battersea rescues dogs and cats until an owner or a new
one can be found. It is one of the UK's oldest and best known
animal rescue centres. It was established in Holloway, London,
in 1860 and moved to Battersea in 1871.
The non-Government funded organisation cares for an average of
240 dogs and 145 cats across all three centres at any one time.
The charity has cared for more than 3.1 million dogs and cats
over its history.
Battersea was established in Holloway in 1860 by Mary Tealby
(1801–1865). She called it "The Temporary Home for Lost and
Starving Dogs" and it was founded in North London in 1860.
Initially the home was in her scullery but as the number of dogs
delivered to her grew she hired some nearby stables funded by
herself, her brother and Sarah Major. In 1860 the RSPCA agreed
to assist and the committee meetings were held at the RSPCA
offices at 12 Pall Mall. The Times ran a story ridiculing the
idea of opening a "home" for dogs when there were homeless
people in London. It accused Tealby of "letting her zeal
...outrun her discretion". Its most impressive supporter in the
1860s was Charles Dickens. He wrote about a "remarkable
institution" that had saved "over a thousand" dogs in 1860. He
noted that the dogs were cared for but if necessary humanely
disposed of. By 1864 the finances were sound and they were
handling 2,000 dogs that year.
Battersea started taking in cats from 1883, but its name
remained Battersea Dogs Home until 2002.
During World War II, then manager Edward Healey-Tutt advised
against people euthanising their pets because of fear of food
shortages. Throughout the war Battersea fed and cared for over
145,000 dogs.
In 1979, Battersea acquired Bell Mead Kennels, which is now
known as Battersea Old Windsor in Berkshire and in 1999,
Battersea bought a centre in Kent, now known as Battersea Brands
Hatch.
In 2002, the name was changed from Battersea Dogs Home to
include cats in its name - Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
In June 2010, Claire Horton joined Battersea in the role of
Chief Executive. In 2016, she was named Charity Chief Executive
of the Year at the Third Sector Awards for turning around
Battersea. Horton was appointed Commander of the Order of the
British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services
to animal welfare.
To mark its 150th anniversary in 2010, the charity's London
Cattery was opened by HRH the Duchess of Cornwall. Royal Mail
released a set of stamps featuring a series of dogs and cats
that had been adopted by staff. It also launched a commemorative
book, A Home of Their Own, which charts the history of the Home.
This includes a look at prominent people who have adopted
animals such as Elton John, who credited his dog Thomas with
helping him through a rough period. Starting in 2011, Battersea
implemented the "Staffies. They're Softer Than You Think"
campaign to educate the public on the misconceptions about the
Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
On 17 March 2015, Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a plaque to
officially open the intake kennels named after their founder,
Mary Tealby kennels. In 2016, a new state of the art Veterinary
Hospital was opened at the London centre.
In 2018 the charity rebranded as just "Battersea" "to be here
for every dog and cat". The charity's public affairs work
involved spearheading the campaign to increase maximum sentences
from six months to five years for the worst animal cruelty
crimes in England and Wales. Battersea has been campaigning
since 2017.
The charity also launched the Battersea Academy, and launched a
campaign "Rescue Is My Favourite Breed" in 2019.
In 1885, Queen Victoria became patron of the home, and it has
remained under royal patronage ever since. The Duchess of
Cornwall is the current patron, and Prince Michael of Kent is
the President.
In 1862, Charles Dickens published an article about the home for
the magazine All the Year Round. He called it an "extraordinary
monument of the remarkable affection with which the English
people regard the race of dogs".
Battersea has featured on many television programmes and
documentaries. The Channel 4 programme Pet Rescue which aired in
1997 featured Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. BBC One programme
Animal Rescue Live was broadcast live for a week at Battersea in
July 2007. The programme was presented by Matt Baker and Selina
Scott.
Since 2012, ITV's Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs has been
filmed at Battersea. The show won multiple awards including
three National Television Awards for 'Factual Entertainment' and
was nominated for a BAFTA in 2013. The show is now in its ninth
series.
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