Our mission is to never turn away a dog or cat in need of our help. Subject to space, we will open our gates to all dogs and cats in need of care and shelter and we will do all we can to either reunite them with their owners or to rehome them into loving new homes.
We are very proud of how we look after every animal that comes to Battersea. Our team of highly skilled staff and volunteers is key in providing the best possible care for every dog and cat to prepare them for their next home. Our state-of-the-art facilities, including our Veterinary Hospital and Centre of Excellence, allow us to care for over 8,000 animals every year, and our dedicated team of foster carers place stressed animals in homes when they cannot cope with kennel or cattery life.
Our open intake policy is increasingly rare in the animal rescue sector and it's at the heart of everything we stand for.
There is a downside to this non-selective approach however, in that we deal with a wide range of animals arriving here and as a result, we regularly receive dogs and cats with serious medical conditions and/or behavioural problems. This means our dedicated team treats each animal on a case-by-case basis and does everything we possibly can to give them the best chance of a happy future.
We will never put an animal to sleep unless they are found to have untreatable medical problems, or to have behavioural issues so severe that we believe we will be unable to safely rehome them, or if the animal is a banned breed and we are legally obliged to.
If a banned type of dog is identified, we are required to comply with the law and so we take advice from the police. There are four banned dog types in Great Britain under the Dangerous Dogs Act – the Pit Bull Terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasileiro.
We care deeply for all the animals we look after, and such decisions are never taken lightly or in isolation. Battersea offers hope and the chance of a happy life to many dogs and cats who, if not for Battersea, would have nowhere else to go.
Every dog that comes to Battersea is checked over by a member of our highly experienced Veterinary team as well as trained behavioural assessors.
Our expert team will take the time to assess each dog to understand their individual needs, motivations and behaviours towards other animals and people, they will also identify any areas where undesirable behaviours can be resolved with time, training and care.
After a thorough assessment process and any required medical treatment, if the dog is suitable for rehoming we will look for a match for them. In some cases, this can take a matter of days but for others it may be many months. There is no time limit on how long we care for an animal. We have lots of great homes waiting and most dogs remain with us for an average of just 35 days.
Every cat that comes to Battersea is treated with compassion and dignity and is assessed by a member of our highly experienced Veterinary team as well as trained behavioural assessors.
From the first day, we make every effort to help each cat feel safe and secure in their new environment. We give them the opportunity to hide and never force interactions. We allow the cat to initiate interaction when they are ready and ensure this happens in a calm and stable environment. Once they are ready, we assess them to determine what home would be best suited for their needs.
On average, cats can take two weeks to feel settled when they arrive with us, but there is no time limit on how long an animal can stay with us - our main concern is the cat's welfare.
If, after assessment, the cat is suitable for rehoming, we will care for it for as long as it takes to find the right owner. In some cases, this can take a matter of days but for others it may be many months before they finally find a suitable new home. We have lots of great homes waiting and most cats remain with us for an average of just 22 days.
Please be completely open and honest about your situation – the more we know, the easier it is for us to understand the best way to proceed. Please remember that we are not here to judge or criticise you, we are here to help you and your pet.
If you call and are diverted to an answer machine, please leave only one message. We appreciate that calls are urgent but please be assured that every call we receive is logged and will be responded to, usually within 48 hours.
If you are not the sole registered owner of the dog or cat, we will need to speak to anyone else who may have a claim to the animal.
Once an appointment has been booked for you to bring your pet in, you will receive a confirmation email which will include all the neccesary information on what to do next.
If you cannot attend the appointment to bring your pet in, please ask a family member, friend, or neighbour to assist. If you will not be present at the appointment, we will require a signed letter of authority from the registered owner(s).
If you wish to cancel your appointment, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible to allow us time to be able to offer the kennel/cattery space to another animal in need.
How do I give my pet to Battersea to be rehomed?
How long does the process take prior to bringing in my dog or cat?
Normally 10–15 minutes on the phone and a further 30–40 minutes once you have arrived with your pet.
Can I just turn up with a dog or cat?
We ask that you do not come to Battersea without an appointment. All bookings are by appointment only as this ensures we can help as many people as possible. We only have a limited space so it is best to call first to see if we can accommodate your pet.
Can you collect my dog or cat?
We are unable to collect cats or dogs from their houses and you will need to be able to make arrangements to bring them in yourself. If you are unable to do so, we can advise other charities who may be able to come out if they are not operating a long waiting list at the time.
Once we have all the information we need on your pet, we can offer appointments based on the length of our current waiting list. This can change depending on our rates of rehoming and therefore how many dogs or cats we have onsite at the time.
It would help us to settle your pet in if you could bring some belongings such as bedding or toys. We would also recommend covering your cat carrier with a blanket to reduce stress.
Will it cost me anything to give my dog or cat to Battersea?
The service is free of charge, but Battersea would appreciate a suggested donation of £50 to help towards the care of your pet.
Can I come and visit my dog or cat?
This is not possible. It would be very distressing for your pet because they would think you were coming to collect them. And of course, this would be very upsetting for you.
Can I keep in touch with the new owners when my dog or cat has been rehomed?
This is not possible. However, we will give you a reference number during your intake appointment and you are welcome to email for any updates.
Will my pets be rehomed together?
If animals come to us as a pair or trio and it's safe to do so they will be initially kept together and assessed as a group. Where possible, we try to rehome dogs together, but due to stress and other factors beyond our control, this is not always the case and we can at no point guarantee any pairs will be rehomed together.
Could my pet be rehomed in the local area?
No, we would never knowingly rehome an animal into the same area as its previous owner.
Can I leave my pet with Battersea on a temporary basis e.g. while I'm on holiday?
This is not a service we provide as we are not a boarding kennel or cattery.
My pet has a few behaviour problems, will Battersea still accept them?
Yes, we aim to never turn an animal away. However, we ask that pet owners have realistic expectations about the type of problems we can work with.
What do I do if I find a feral or wild cat?
If you are concerned about the welfare of a cat, or a cat is feral, we strongly recommend that you contact the RSPCA, Celia Hammond, Cats Protection or The Mayhew as they all have facilities to help the cat themselves. Unfortunately, we are not able to collect cats and we also do not accept cats in traps.
What do I do if I find a stray or lost cat?
What happens if, after I give you my cat or dog, I change my mind about giving them to Battersea or my circumstances have changed?