Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Helping out man’s best friend for over 140 years, Battersea Dog’s Home has become a national institution. It’s played a part in several historical episodes -namely housing 100 sledge dogs in preparation for Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated, second Antartic expedition. Many Royal patrons have passed over the threshold to give their blessing to the work carried out there (not to mention the BBC documentary all about it).

Set up in 1860 Battersea Dogs Home houses up to 15,000 dogs and cats a year, and up to 500 at any one time. They can help you find a lost pet too. But it’s not just about caring physically for the animals, the staff want to make sure they’re ready for a new life. That’s why they opened their new etiquette school in 1995, to help dogs overcome behavioural problems.

The next step is finding them a good home. People from anywhere in the country are eligible to adopt a Battersea inmate but you’ll have to go down for an interview first.

The home has expanded massively in recent years and is now wedged beside the four famous chimneys of the old power station in Battersea. Inside is a labyrinth of individual luxurious kennels spread over four floors. Tours of the home are run on a regular basis however a weekday visit is recommended as it gets very busy at the weekends. It’s a great place for kids to learn about the tough work which goes into looking after a pet.