Did you know - facts and information

• Puppies do not open their eyes until they are about two weeks old  

• According to the Guinness Book of Records, the smallest living dog is a long haired Chihuahua called Danka Kordak from Slovakia, who is 13.8cm tall and 18.8cm long 

• Dogs have twice as many muscles for moving their ears as people 

• The Basenji is the only breed of dog that cannot bark 

• Dalmatians, with all those cute black spots, are actually born white 

• Chow-Chows have blue-black tongues 

• The Poodles' ‘haircut’ was to improve their swimming abilities - the 'pompoms' were left to keep their joints warm 

• The Greyhound is the fastest dog on earth. They can run up to 45 miles per hour 

• The first living creature sent into space was a female dog named Laika 

• Newfoundlands have webbed feet, making them great swimmers and divers 

• A breed of cats – known as Manx cats - are born without tails. 

• Cats spend 15% of their day grooming themselves and a massive 70% of their day sleeping 

• Cats see six times better than we do in the dark 

• A cat’s tail helps it to balance when it is on the move - especially when it's jumping

• Cats use their whiskers to help them find things in the dark. 

• Cats rub against you to put their smell on you to tell other cats you belong to them 

• The smallest cat breed is the Singapura, they weigh around 2-4kg (4-9lb).

• The cat, giraffe and camel are the only animals that walk by moving both their left feet then both their right feet when walking.  

• A group of kittens is called a 'kindle'.

• The richest cat is called Blackie and was left £15 million in his owner's will.
  

Every year over 12,000 dogs and cats come to Battersea.  During their stay each one is given lots of love, care and attention.

The Home was started in 1860 by a lady called Mrs Mary Tealby.  Mary was walking to a friend’s house when she saw a lost, starving puppy. She took the puppy home and nursed him back to health.  She was so worried about the other dogs wandering the streets that she opened The Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs.

The dogs and cats that arrive at Battersea are either lost animals or brought in by their owners who can no longer care for them. 

Stray dogs and cats stay at Battersea for seven days before we start looking for a home for them. This is to give their owners a chance to find and claim them.

The main aim of the Home is to find dogs and cats caring, permanent new homes. Battersea staff have been specially trained, and even have a special computer system, to help them match people to a dog or cat.

Fundraising is a great way to help the dogs and cats in our care. Find out more about ways you can help the Home in the Get involved section or email us here.