Battersea Dogs Home
The Battersea Dogs Home was founded in 1860 and has since then grown from strength to strength, with the home now being recognised across Britain. The purpose of the organisation is to reunite lost dogs with owners or finding new homes for dogs and this includes providing the highest standards of kennelling and veterinary care.
This was the first animal welfare organisation to implement a dedicated behaviour unit, this offers experienced and qualified staff that are able to deal with behavioural assessments. Once dogs have gone through the assessment stage, the home is able to establish whether a dog requires extra training or socialisation training. If a dog is in need of particular training, a timetable is constructed towards the dog’s individual needs.
The Battersea Dogs Home also actively promotes information to dog owners on how to be a responsible owner and how to ensure the dog has everything it requires. The organisation has a strong set of core values which are carried throughout the whole organisation; these include caring passionately about the welfare of dogs. Ensure that all animals are treated with humanity and dignity, putting no limit on the length of time a dog can stay whilst a new home is found, never put a dog to sleep unless there are significant medical or temperament reasons, value all employees, build continuing relationships with stakeholders and provide careful stewardship of all resources.
The home offers a rehoming service which has a fixed fee; this cost includes microchipping, initial vaccinations, a collar, identification tag and lead. In the majority of cases the dog will have been neutered, although if this is not the case, vouchers towards the cost will be provided by the home. There is also the offer of signing up for four weeks free pet insurance and a starter pack of food, advice and special offers. Dogs are rehomed all over the country, although all owners must go through the rehoming process. Dogs of all ages, colours, shapes and size are available, and of course all of them have different personalities and temperaments.
When a dog is taken in by the home, an assessment is carried in regards to the home which would be most suitable for them to have the lifestyle and environment desired. There is a strict procedure in place to ensure that all dogs are provided with a home which is suitable for them and also the new owner. People will be required to show identification with a name and address evidence and written permission from the council, housing association or landlord if the home is not owned by the individuals. The Battersea Dogs Home likes all of the family to meet the dog before it is taken home, this way it gets both parties used to each other and any other dogs which are living in the house should also meet the new dog.
