Amanda Holden, Paul O’Grady, Jacqueline Wilson and David Gandy launched Battersea Dogs and Cats Home’s biggest ever appeal today aiming to raise £1.9m for abandoned animals.

The celebrities, who are all ambassadors for the home, laid the first stone in the new state of the art kennels set to transform the lives of thousands of unwanted dogs.

Wandsworth Times:

Waaah! The celebs had a laugh as one pooch took a run for it

Wandsworth Times:

Amanda Holden brings a touch of glamour to the building site 

It is all part of the home’s biggest appeal in its 153 year history to replace its Victorian kennels with brand new facilities in order to continue caring for around 6,000 dogs every year.

Wandsworth Times:

Paul O'Grady MBE shares a hug with one of the dogs 

Wandsworth Times:

Tracy Beaker author Dame Jacqueline Wilson 

Battersea chief executive Claire Horton joined said: "While our staff can give the dogs the love and care they so desperately need, we must ensure our kennels offer the right facilities. So we urgently need to bring our kennels into the 21st Century and ensure we can continue to offer the best possible care to our animals for many years to come.

"We saw a 30 per cent increase in cat rehoming when we opened our new cattery in 2010, so we are expecting a similar impact for our dogs.

"Battersea is being transformed and the home is ingrained into the fabric of the area so it makes sense that our facilities move with the times. We want to create a thriving centre within the local community that attracts more visitors who can offer great homes for our animals."

The charity receives no central Government funding towards the care of its animals and is calling on the public to ‘Pay for a Day’ by donating £15.70 which will pay for a day’s care for a Battersea dog and help the charity to rebuild their lives.

Demand for Battersea’s services is at an all-time high, and the charity currently receives over 1,000 calls a month from people wanting to give up their dog.

On average, 14 dogs come through Battersea’s gates in need of help, every single day.


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