Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home stands in the London Borough of Wandsworth, beside Battersea Park. It began in 1860 as a small scullery rescue for stray dogs and moved to its present site in 1871. The charity now runs three centres across England, caring for around 240 dogs and 145 cats at any one time. Over its history it has found homes for more than three million animals. Its founder, Mary Tealby, started with a handful of rescued strays and built a lasting institution. The home has shaped animal welfare in Britain since the 19th century. Charles Dickens praised its work in 1862, calling it a monument to British affection for dogs. During the Second World War the manager Edward Healey-Tutt kept the doors open and fed more than 145,000 dogs despite shortages. Queen Victoria became patron in 1885 and the Queen Camilla holds that role today. Television programmes such as For the Love of Dogs have brought its stories to millions of viewers. Visitors find modern kennels named after Mary Tealby and a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital opened in 2016. The London Cattery, unveiled in 2010 by the Duchess of Cornwall, houses cats awaiting adoption. A plaque unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II marks the founder’s kennels. The site sits next to Battersea Power Station tube station, making it easy to reach.