Stepping into their roles as celebrity ambassadors for Battersea Dogs and Cats home, four famous faces recently helped the renowned animal welfare charity take its first steps toward the start of a new era in canine care.
International supermodel David Gandy (accompanied by Lulu, an adoptable Staffordshire Bull Terrier from Battersea who he is currently fostering); Paul O’Grady, a proud pet parent to a former Battersea resident and the host of the documentary series For the Love of Dogs ; Britain’s Got Talent judge/2013 Collars and Coats Gala Ball co-host Amanda Holden and children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson joined Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Chief Executive Claire Horton at the charity’s London adoption center to lay the cornerstone of the new state of the art kennels which will provide a safe haven for hundreds of homeless dogs by the year’s end.
Designed with dogged devotion by the animal welfare organization and Jonathan Clark Architects, the kennels will include dedicated sleeping, eating and playing area, under-floor heating and outdoor exercise pens.
Explaining the need to replace the site’s current kennels, Claire Horton states: “Battersea originally offered a lifeline to stray dogs in Victorian times. Today, 153 years later, our need to help stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs is just as great, but our ancient kennels are no longer good enough. While our staff can give the dogs the love and care they so desperately need, we must ensure our kennels offer the right facilities. So we urgently need to bring our kennels into the 21st Century and ensure we can continue to offer the best possible care to our animals for many years to come.
When Battersea opened its new cattery in 2010 the improved facility resulted in a 30 per cent increase in cat rehoming, and Claire Horton states that: “The new kennels should help dogs pass through the Home more quickly, and be more relaxed when they meet prospective owners, which can only help their chances of finding a new family.”
The animal-loving public can help Battersea in the process of creating a brighter tomorrow for the dogs in the charity’s care by making a donation to their most urgent appeal ever. Through ‘Pay for a Day,’ a contribution of £15.70 will provide for a day’s care for one of the dogs currently in Battersea’s care. The appeal aims to raise £1.9 million to help Battersea to continue providing a home to approximately 6,000 dogs every year.
For more information regarding Battersea Dogs and Cats Home:
- visit www.battersea.org.uk
Photo Credit: Battersea Dogs and Cats Home; Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
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