On Monday 29 September 2025, we had a visit to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, located close to what was Battersea Power Station. Given the consequences of a large number of visitors, we were divided into two groups arriving and visiting the site at different times.
The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is famous the world over, and our guided tour started with a short lecture and a chance to say ‘Hello!’ to a Bichon Frisé that was there on the day of our visit. Sadly a technical problem in the dogs department meant that the area was not accessible to the public during our visit, but we all made a big fuss of the Bichon Frisé.
The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home was first established in 1860 in Holloway by Mary Tealby, but the idea was not popular with some. When people were homeless and malnourished, there was criticism for her project. However, there were also supporters and perhaps amongst the best known was the author and commentator Charles Dickens. Whilst dogs were there from the start, the first cat arrived in 1883. The charity re-branded in 2002 and is now known as “Battersea”.
In more recent days, the late television star Paul O’Grady MBE acted as an ambassador for them and there is a memorial to him and his dog Buster in pride of place on the site. The site is very large and can accommodate up to 300 dogs and 300 cats. There are full veterinary facilities on site with a complement of six vets and thirty veterinary nurses, so any dog or cat ending up at Battersea, or its two out of London facilities at Brands Hatch and Old Windsor, gets first class treatment from day one for any issues or problems.
Whilst the cats are happy to be on their own (unless they have lived together before arriving), there is a programme of socialisation for the dogs. Twice a week they get the chance to socialise with other dogs, and learn the correct way for a dog to say ‘Hello’ to another dog. The dogs also get acclimatised to living in an urban environment with traffic and visits to parks. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home relies on individual donors and on Borough Councils for the supply of dogs and cats, and many dogs are able to leave quite quickly with their new owners. Cats take a little longer to bond with their new owners, and suitable allowance is made. A charge is made to the new owner for each pet.
This was a most interesting visit and was much enjoyed by all those attending in the two groups. Our next Exploring London visit be to Moor Park Manor, in Moor Park, on Thursday 09 October 2025.