Two of the members of the Battersea dog display team.

Battersea's agility team gets sponsorship backing

Rescued dogs from a World renowned charity will be showing their agility skills at a host of shows including Crufts, over the year.

Battersea Dog and Cats Home's dog display team, will be performing obedience tasks as well as jumps, hurdles, turns and tricks at seven shows over the year including the Discover Dogs event.

This year sees the team sponsored by insurance giant LV=.

The agility team was formed nine years ago and current includes Frank, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier who featured on series one of Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs; former obese Border Collie Twiggy; a Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Squirt; Woody a spritely Spitz; and Jelly, a border collie who also competes in sheep dog trials.

Ali Taylor, Head of Canine Welfare Training at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said: “Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s display team not only promote the amazing work of the charity at high profile events, they also debunk the myth that dogs looking for homes are not obedient or not trainable.

“There are all kinds of breeds and ages of dogs in the team but they do have one thing in common – they’ve all been under the care of the Home and prove rescue dogs can be just as talented as any other dog.”

Selwyn Fernandes, Managing Director of LV= Insurance, says: “This is the first time we have worked with an animal charity and we are really excited to be supporting the team.

"The display team partnership will help raise the profile of the LV= brand among dog and cat lovers across the country and is aligned to our mission of helping people look after what they love.”

Since it was founded in 1860, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has rescued, reunited and rehomed over 3.1 million dogs and cats.

It cares for an average of 400 dogs and 190 cats across three centres at any one time. In 2012 it cared for 5,880 dogs and 2,760 cats.

For further information on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home please visit www.battersea.org.uk
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