Hundreds of cats go into Battersea's care each year, with cats and dogs of all ages, needs and temperaments currently searching for their forever home.
A team at Battersea Old Windsor is working hard to match animals with their perfect owners, extensively observing animal behaviour to assess the best home for the cat or dog.
The Observer recently went to Battersea Old Windsor and saw some of the 74 dogs and 46 cats currently awaiting a home.
READ MORE: Behind the scenes at Battersea Old Windsor
We have rounded up just five cats and dogs who are looking for a place to call home.
Cats
Bonnie: Thirteen-year-old Bonnie has been at Battersea Old Windsor’s centre for over 100 days and is looking for a home to call her own. Despite being an older lady, Bonnie loves to play and will bat around balls, soft mice and rolled up pieces of paper to her heart’s content. She has a sensitive side, but once she gets to know someone and feels settled, Bonnie is the ultimate lap cat who loves company and a well-earned fuss. In her new home, she would require outside access to a private garden.
Minnie: A four-year-old Domestic Medium Hair cat, is a playful character who loves to pounce on, bat and chase around her favourite knitted mice and string toys. She loves spending time with people and will nudge and rub against your legs when she’s looking for some strokes and hands-on fuss. She is looking for a new home with loving owners and a cat flap to come and go from exploring the outdoors.
Cilla: An eight-year-old Domestic Short Hair cat, is a sweet and friendly character who loves nothing more than spending her days lying in the sunshine and watching the world go by. She is a sensitive soul but once she gets to know someone, she is an affectionate and loving cat who loves strokes and attention. She particularly enjoys being treated to cheek and chin scratches and will make an ideal companion for her new owners.
Kiki: An affectionate eight-year-old cat who is looking for her forever home after being in Battersea’s care for three months. Kiki loves spending time with people and is always eager to affectionately greet anyone she meets, eagerly awaiting strokes and fuss in return. She would benefit from having access to her own private garden to stretch her legs.
Dusty: Seven-year-old Dusty is a sweet, playful cat with a sensitive side. After finding the cattery environment stressful, Dusty was placed with one of Battersea’s dedicated Foster Carers where she has blossomed and settled quickly into the home. While she took some time to settle, she is now enjoying sitting on her Foster Carer’s lap and loves to zoom around the house after her string toy. Dusty would need outside access with a cat-flap to come and go as she pleases.
Dogs
Timothy: Two-year-old Timothy is a friendly and excitable dog who is looking for a home after spending almost 200 days at Battersea. During his time being cared for by the charity, he has shown to be a very clever dog who loves having his mind kept busy and has mastered a number of basic commands including ‘sit’, ‘paw’, ‘down’ and ‘wait’. He also enjoys playing with puzzle toys and destruction boxes, as well as chasing around his beloved tennis balls. Timothy is looking for active owners who can take him along for plenty of adventures and have prior experience of owning large dogs.
Twinkle: Is an inquisitive young Greyhound who loves the couch potato lifestyle. She is playful with toys when she is in the mood for a game, but often prefers to spend her days relaxing on her bed or snoozing in the sunshine. Described as a gentle giant with lots of love to give, Twinkle always gets excited to see her favourite people and will greet them with her signature toe taps. She is looking for owners who have previous experience of owning dogs and would prefer to be the only dog in the home.
Koda: Three-year-old Koda is an Alaskan Malamute who has shown to be very intelligent during his time at Battersea and would benefit from lots of fun training and activities in his new home to keep him busy. Koda is an explorer at heart and loves nothing more than going on plenty of walks - he is particularly fond of a rainy day where he can splash around in muddy puddles. Koda is looking for experienced owners who have knowledge of his breed and would need a private garden to play and relax in.
Farley: Is a lively and affectionate two-year-old Lurcher who makes friends with everyone he meets and will lean into them to ask for some fuss. He is a playful young dog and is particularly playing tug games with the staff at Battersea or chasing tennis balls around the garden. Farley has shown to be a big foodie during his time at Battersea which has proven to be useful during his training, which will need to be continued in his new home.
Elsa: Five-year-old Elsa is a loveable young dog who is fond of her home comforts. As she was quite nervous when she arrived at Battersea, Elsa has been spending time with one of Battersea’s Foster Carers where she has settled quickly and spends her days cuddled up on the sofa for a snooze. She has also shown a love for playtime and particularly enjoys throwing and chasing after soft squeaky toys. Elsa would prefer to be the only dog in the home.
Interested in one of the dogs? Info@battersea.org.uk or call 0800 001 4444.
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