Kennels to provide a calming environment for the home's most vulnerable dogs
Her Majesty The Queen will visit Battersea Dogs & Cats Home tomorrow (17 March) to officially open the charity's new state-of-the-art kennels.
The £4.8m new kennel development will provide a welcome home to lost, abandoned, or unwanted puppies at the world-famous rescue centre.
The Queen, who became Patron of Battersea in 1956, will be shown how the new canine facilities will play a vital role in supporting the dogs during their early days at Battersea, improving and speeding up their journey towards a loving new home.
Claire Horton, chief executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home says: “We are truly thrilled Her Majesty is opening our new kennels at Battersea and sharing with us the most important day for the home in decades. This is the biggest development in the home’s history and we’re honoured to have our Royal Patron meeting some of the many animals that will benefit from these new facilities.”
“The kennels, named in honour of Battersea’s pioneering founder Mary Tealby, are inspired by the needs of, and our love for, our animals. Battersea has worked tirelessly to provide shelter to three million stray and unwanted dogs since first opening its doors in 1860 and our mission remains the same today as it was then – to aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of our help.”
The new kennels will replace noisy and out-dated Victorian facilities that were closed in 2012 after providing a home to around one million dogs over the centuries.
Designed by Battersea and award-winning architects Jonathan Clark Associates, the new block will provide accommodation for 56 dogs. With a focus on providing a quiet, calming environment for the home's most vulnerable dogs, each kennel has built-in speakers to play calming music and an external run area. Adjoining paddocks have paddling pools, climbing mounds, play equipment, and plants to awaken and interest dogs' senses.
It is hoped that the new kennels will help Battersea to respond to an all-time high demand for its services. In the past three years, the charity has noted an 84 per cent increase in calls from owners wanting to give up their dogs to the centre.
Image (C) Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
