The leading London animal welfare charity Battersea is celebrating 140 years of caring for cats.
Formerly known as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, it was founded by Mary Tealby in 1860 as "The Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs". It has cared for over 250,000 cats since the Victorian era including its most famous moggy, Larry. He has served as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office in Downing Street since 2011.
In November 1882, the public unanimously voted for the charity to accept cats as well as dogs. The vote was called for amid a surge of cats found to be roaming the streets of London and the West End for food and shelter. Battersea's first feline residents joined the home in December 1883.
The charity, which has survived two World Wars, has evolved greatly since then. In 2022, it directly cared for 2,278 dogs and 2,253 cats at its three centres.
Bridie Williams, Rehoming and Welfare Manager at Battersea, said: “Over the past 140 years, Battersea has been there for every cat who needs us, from tiny kittens to senior strays, rehoming a staggering quarter of a million since the charity first started to take in cats during the Victorian era.
"While many areas of the work we do have changed and developed over the years, our commitment and dedication to improving the lives of cats will remain forever at the heart of Battersea.”
The charity's commemoration of 140 years of caring for cats coincides with the celebrations of one of its volunteers, Tina Moore. She has fostered just over 140 of them since 2015. This includes a young stray mum, Ariel, whom Tina helped out alongside her kittens.
Moore said: “Being there for cats like Ariel is really what it’s all about … so they can explore the world around them. You do end up having your favourites such as a recent litter of kittens I looked after called Rock, Paper and Scissors, whose playful antics made me fall in love with the three little bundles of fur."
She added: “I’ve fostered so many cats over these past eight years, and it’s so special knowing I’ve played an important part in helping them find the love that they deserve, especially as Battersea is now celebrating its 140th anniversary of being there for cats."
In 2018, Battersea dropped “Dogs & Cats Home” from its name. This rebrand was to avoid confusion about the charity being a permanent “home” for animals, and to emphasise the fact that it is based in more than one location.
