“This is Battersea’s
160th anniversary year
I just can't believe
that we've been here for 160 years
and helped over 3 million animals"
“Mary made a promise to that dog
that she would never walk
past another one
and she didn't
“and from that little dog
the first little dog
stems all the other dogs
the millions of dogs that have been
looked after for the past 160 years
“Mary then created
with a small band of volunteers
what she first called the
Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs
And therein begins the legend”
Battersea’s long history of animal rescue
can be found in the archives
but a picture of Mary has never been discovered
“Mary Tealby really invented rehoming
This is the first illustration of Battersea
8 years after the foundation
It gives you an idea of the range of dogs
that were looked after by the home
In 1862
two years after they were founded
they made the resolution that they would
never turn a dog away
and this is the case today
for cats as well of course”
As a great British institution
and national treasure
we've always had friends in high places
“Queen Victoria herself became patron
in December 1885
so that was of course the ultimate
stamp of approval for the home”
“Over the years we've had some amazing supporters
and obviously our patrons too
So even from Queen Victoria
and The Queen
and now the Duchess of Cornwall
But we really rely heavily on the general public
without them we wouldn't be doing
what we do now”
Battersea receives no government funding
It's only because of public support that
we’re able to keep transforming
the lives of rescue animals
turning them from underdogs
into top cats
“Whether it's pandemics
or world wars
or air raids
all the rest of it
life goes on at Battersea
Dogs and cats need looking after
and we do the looking after
We now have state-of-the-art clinics
on-site veterinary staff who are able
to provide that care
but we're essentially providing
the love and a refuge
and asylum for those dogs
in exactly the same way
that Mary tried to do 160 years ago”
“It’s hard to believe that Battersea
has been around for 160 years
but come to think of it I’ve been here for 30 years
which sort of gives it some kind of perspective
Although we can do so much more for dogs
than we did when I first started
I would really say that the heart
and soul of Battersea
has remained the same throughout
What are we without the people that work here
We're not just a set of buildings
or set of values
It’s people
Battersea has always attracted such a
diverse range of people
What do they have in common
Just a commitment
and a desire to help animals"
“So the future of Battersea
is just as promising
and just as exciting
as the last 160 years have been
We never stop here
We are full on and flat out
The work never goes away
the animals never stop needing us
and Battersea will always be here for them”
“Mary Tealby would be extremely proud
of what she started
I think there would be a little twinkle in her eye”
“160 years on
and Battersea is still here for every dog and cat”
“Since 1860
Battersea has cared for over 3
million dogs and cats”
“Battersea has truly championed the rescue animal
campaigning for their rights
loving their imperfections
and giving them the best chance
of a happy home”
“So right now I want to say my thanks
my respect to all the staff and volunteers”
“You don’t only change the lives of the animals
that come into your care
but you enrich the lives of people that are
lucky to welcome those animals into their home”
“As an ambassador of Battersea I am so proud
that rescue has and always will be
my favourite breed”
“Sum up Battersea for me in one line
I tell you what
dangerous
Because I keep taking my work home with me
as you can see
Isn’t that right Arthur
Yeah”
“We can’t imagine our lives without Battersea
or the lives of animals
in need without Battersea
So for us
Battersea forever"