To celebrate International Cat Day 2026 (8 August), Battersea is sharing the 'tails' of some of the marvellous moggies it has helped over the last year. From a tiny kitten who received life-changing surgery to a mature feline waiting patiently for their perfect match, every cat's journey is unique, and Battersea is there to support them every step of the way.
In 2025, Battersea cared for 1,745 cats across its three centres - taking in an average of five cats each day. But the charity’s impact on feline welfare extended far beyond its own gates. Alongside the cats in its care, Battersea supported thousands more around the world by providing training and grants to other rescue organisations, campaigning for better feline welfare, and sharing its expert advice with pet owners.
Sorrel Magenta, Feline Rehoming and Welfare Manager at Battersea, said: “Whilst we celebrate cats all year round, International Cat Day is a lovely way for us to show them even more appreciation. At Battersea, we care for cats of all ages, sizes, colours, and personalities – both across our centres and through our wider work. Our team takes the time to understand each cat's individual needs, providing the specialist care and support they need to flourish.
“Giving cats a second chance is at the heart of what we do, and for anyone thinking about welcoming a new pet into their life, we would encourage them to consider one of our wonderful rescues.”
Sir Loves-A-Lot
Eight-year-old Sir Loves-A-Lot is currently Battersea’s longest stay cat. This gentle boy has been waiting patiently for over 300 days to find his perfect match, significantly longer than the charity’s average feline stay of 28 days. Black and tuxedo cats like Sir Loves-A-Lot are often unfairly overlooked in favour of their colourful counterparts. But once this sweet boy gets to know you, his sweet and affectionate nature shines through.
François
Earlier this year, a tiny kitten arrived at Battersea via fellow animal welfare charity, PDSA, with one of the most severe cases of eye ulcers that Battersea had ever seen. The condition, caused by chronic cat flu, required round-the-clock care, with his foster carers taking it in turns to administer eye drops every two hours for seven weeks. Thanks to their dedication, young François' sight, and potentially his life, was saved and he is now thriving in his new home as a happy and confident kitten.
Lady Ethel
At 16 years old, Lady Ethel is Battersea’s oldest current resident. She may be mature, but she still has plenty of love and life to give. This affectionate lady enjoys nothing more than curling up beside her favourite people, having a good old natter, and showing off her playful side with a game of football. Lady Ethel is looking for a quiet home where she can enjoy her golden years, surrounded by the comfort and companionship she deserves.
Luna
Luna’s journey shows that every cat has different needs and that the right home environment can look different for every feline. Before coming into Battersea’s care, Luna was living indoors but was extremely fearful and spent much of her time hiding. Battersea’s feline behaviour team recognised that Luna would be happier in an environment where she could have more independence. With support from Battersea’s Animal Partnerships team, Luna found a rural working home where she has settled in beautifully.
Neptune
One-year-old Neptune recently gave birth to a litter of kittens after arriving at Battersea as a heavily pregnant stray. Stories like hers are all too common, with pregnant cats and young kittens regularly arriving at the charity. These cases serve as a reminder that neutering is one of the most effective ways to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the number of vulnerable cats needing rescue. Thanks to specialist care in a foster home, Neptune has flourished into a devoted mum while her kittens are growing in size and confidence each day.
-Ends-
About Battersea:
-
For further information, interviews or images please contact the Battersea Press Office at press@battersea.org.uk.
-
At Battersea we offer our love and expert care to dogs and cats who need us by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals at our centres, and by sharing our knowledge and resources with other organisations around the world. We do this because we want to help every dog and cat, everywhere.
-
In 2025, Battersea directly cared for 1,989 dogs and 1,745 cats at our three centres. We also helped thousands more through campaigning work, supporting other rescues and animal welfare advocates, and sharing knowledge and advice with pet owners.
-
Battersea has three centres based in London; Old Windsor, Berkshire; and Brands Hatch, Kent.
-
To find out more visit our website or follow Battersea on X @battersea_ , Instagram @battersea, Facebook facebook.com/Battersea and TikTok @battersea.