Battersea Grants
Battersea is committed to supporting other animal rescue organisations. We know that we can help more animals by working together with others than we can alone, especially in areas where the need is high but there is scarce resource and little public help.
We offer a range of grants to help successful applicants develop and deliver specific projects with measurable outcomes that will benefit dogs and cats. Our grants are available to any organisation, no matter how large or small.
Recent grant allocation
Following the May 2020 Grant Allocation Committee Battersea were delighted to award 22 grants under 6 categories
Minimum Standards Programme – designed specifically for ADCH members, either working towards attaining Minimum Standards / enhancing their Standards.
Animal Partnership Programme – designed to assist rescue and rehoming organisations that work in collaboration with Battersea to maximise the number of unwanted, stray and abandoned dogs and cats helped throughout the UK, through caring for and finding the best possible homes.
Academy (UK) Programme + International Programme – designed to support colleagues to apply for a grant to help bring about lasting change as a result of having attended a 5 day intensive Battersea Academy programme.
Strategic Programme – designed to test out new ways of working and partnership with organisations working either in the UK or overseas.
Enrichment Programme – a small grant opportunity designed to encourage smaller rescues to apply for small amounts of funding towards enrichment and small items required by their rescue.
Thornberry Animal Rescue, South Yorkshire
Thornberry received funding to develop an existing building at the sanctuary into a fully operational and sterile veterinary suite that can be used by all the animals the Sanctuary cares for. The vet suite will enable the Sanctuary to carry out on-site neutering for all cats and male dogs along with their vaccinations.
Small operations for cats and dogs will also be able to be undertaken on-site. All animals who require neutering and small operations are currently having to be taken off-site to local vets which puts pressure on the animals, staff, and resources at the sanctuary.
All animals that come to Thornberry undergo a head-to-tail health check by the Travelling Vet that visits the sanctuary. These have been until now carried out in the reception office. This is not an ideal situation and the vet suite will provide a safe space for these procedures to be undertaken.
Additionally, animals that have been rehomed who need to come back for their post-operation checks, will be able to utilise the professional vet suite.
Bleakholt, Greater Manchester cattery improvement
The current cat enclosures have been in place for over twenty years, and due to the time they have been in use they are in an increasingly more run down condition. After attending the Academy Programme the rescue have been increasingly looking at ways to reduce stress levels in residents. By having areas where cats don't have to have any physical or visual contact with other cats they feel this will greatly reduce stress levels, meaning the cats are more amenable and much more forth coming to visitors which in turn makes them more desirable for homing.
Street Hearts, Bulgaria
Attendance on the Academy Programme highlighted a number of changes and adaptations the rescue want to make to improve their shelter, to make it a more efficient shelter. This in turn will free so much time that can then be concentrated on other aspects of running a successful, professional dog shelter.
Friends of Animals, Wales
Friends of Animals received funding for much needed volunteer centre equipment. Laptops and office equipment along with a centralised laundry provision and a grooming service will mean so much, both for the volunteer staff team and the many dogs they care for each year – many of whom have suffered long term physical and mental neglect.
Zero Stray Pawject, Aegina Greece
The aim of this project is that by piloting an approach to Neuter and Microchipping of dogs, a blueprint is created for Greece. The Project manager is very proactive and in early February was able to convince the highest government office in Greece to take an interest in the work in Aegina and to give an order to the police. The order was made on Feb 14th and as of Feb 17th, the Hellenic Police in Aegina started aggressive checks: the police went around the island and scanned EVERY owned dog. The coast guard controlled every owner with dog coming to Aegina on boats. In total an incredible number of over 600 dogs were controlled in Aegina and on ferries between Feb 17th and June 1st 2020 (with a 2.5 months break due to the lockdown), and as a test case, to roll out across Greece.
This project is ongoing for a few more months – achieving so much for a grant of less than £5,000. We look forward to further updates and reports and the project progresses.
Autumn/Winter 2020 Timetable
The Autumn / Winter Programme launches on Wednesday 2nd September. Please watch the website for further information on the themes and how to apply. If you would like to talk about a possible initiative or would like support in submitting your application, then please email the team at grants@battersea.org.uk.
Writing a winning Grant Application Day long course is scheduled for Wednesday 23rd September. If you would like some top tips and hints on writing a fantastic Grant Application then please do consider attending this (free) day long course. For further information and to book your place now, please email academy@battersea.org.uk.