Battersea vows to replace Victorian kennels
Paul O'Grady and Battersea dog Wilma start work on the new kennels.
The world famous Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has launched its largest public appeal in a bid to replace its Victorian kennels with £1.9m state-of-the-art facilities.
Money raised from the appeal will allow the charity to pull down its oldest kennels and build a new environment that will transform the lives of thousands of dogs each year.
"Battersea originally offered a lifeline to stray dogs in Victorian times," explains the charity's chief executive Claire Horton. 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."
The first stone of the new kennels was laid by Claire and the charity's four celebrity ambassadors - Paul O'Grady MBE, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Amanda Holden and David Gandy.
To bring the kennels "into the 21st century", Battersea has designed the new kennels with Jonathan Clark Architects to cater for the dogs' every need, including under-floor heating, outdoor exercise pens and dedicated eating, sleeping and play areas.
Claire says the kennels should help the dogs to be more relaxed when they meet potential new owners, improving their chances of finding a new family.
"We saw a 30 per cent increase in cat rehoming when we opened our new cattery in 2010, so we are expecting a similar impact for our dogs," she says.
The new kennels are expected to be completed and in use by the end of this year.
Currently, the charity is home to around 6000 dogs a year and demand is at an all-time high. More than 1000 calls are received every month from people wanting to give up their dog.
Battersea is asking the public to "pay for a day" by donating £15.70, which pays for the care of a dog at the home for one day and helps the charity to rebuild their lives.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
