We've been keeping tabs on the number of dogs and cats we have cared for since we opened our doors 150 years ago in 1860. Compared to the 1990s and 2000s when we received about 10,000 dogs a year, the 1890s saw a lot more dogs needing our help. Back then we received tens of thousands more dogs than we do now. In 1881 we received almost 16,000 dogs, in 1886 we received 35,000 dogs and in 1896 the Home had its biggest intake ever, receiving 42,500 dogs.

Here are some more interesting facts and figures -

• Battersea Dogs & Cats Home was founded by Mrs Mary Tealby in 1860
• since the Home opened in 1860 we've taken in over three million dogs and cats
• it costs over £13million a year to run Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
• we found new homes for 5,378 animals in 2009
• last year 74% of the dogs that came into the Home were lost dogs
• our cats ate 22,592 tins, 29,344 packets and 1,020 kgs of dried cat food last year
• in 2010, we have 400 'active' volunteers exercising and socialising dogs and cats across all 3 sites.

Last year we:

• Cared for 7,866 dogs and 2,734 cats
• Rehomed 3,045 dogs.
• Rehomed 2,372 cats
• Had over 300 volunteers and 29 fosterers helping us who took 12,381 dogs for walks and spent 36,066 hours socialising dogs and cats.

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