Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Worried young cat Katara was in Battersea’s care for two and a half months. She did not cope well in the cattery environment, so she spent some time in a dedicated Battersea foster home, where after some time and patience, she began to flourish.

Katara was rehomed to an owner experienced with shy cats, yet she still took some time to settle into her new home. Katara’s new owner was concerned that Katara was hiding and not eating and wondered whether she had made the right decision in rehoming her. She worried that Katara was unhappy living with her and may never truly settle.

A call to our behaviour advice line and skilled guidance from our cattery experts was the next step. Katara’s new family were provided with detailed guidance on how to start from scratch with settling Katara into the home in one quiet room, with hiding places and her belongings and they were advised to start interacting with her slowly and on her own terms.

Over several behaviour support calls, Katara’s family gained valuable guidance from Battersea’s feline experts and with a little time and patience and implementation of the advice, Katara slowly began to come out of her shell and show off the charming personality we had seen her to have in her foster home.

Katara’s family were incredibly grateful for Battersea’s leading feline welfare advice and described Katara as “the most perfect, affectionate cat,” now that she is fully settled and content in her new home.

Having to give up a pet because of housing issues is a unique type of heartbreak. It’s a heartbreak we witness at Battersea first-hand, and one that could so easily be avoided.

The last few years have demonstrated the many benefits of being able to own a pet, not only for our mental health and wellbeing, but also our feelings of connection to other people, our local community, and the outside world.

With more people than ever renting properties, we’re taking a stand to show that tenants deserve the chance to experience the joys of pet ownership. With our Pet Friendly Properties campaign, we want to achieve long-lasting, societal change, because we believe that everyone should have the choice to experience the joy of pet ownership, no matter where they live.

To find out more, including some case studies and how to get involved please see the link below:

https://www.battersea.org.uk/what-we-do/animal-welfare-campaigning/pet-friendly-properties

Get ready for Bark Run for Businesses, the ultimate 5k for local businesses that allows you to enjoy some time with colleagues and fellow teams from the area while supporting Battersea’s dogs and cats.

Get your pack together and embark on a 5km route through the scenic Battersea Park, knowing every step will help the animals we care for. When you reach the finish line, you’ll receive an exclusive Bark Run for Businesses medal to wear with pride. With the promise of meeting some of our incredible dogs, whilst enjoying food and drink with your team as well as newly made connections at the post-run reception, Bark Run for Businesses guarantees a double dose of those feel-good endorphins!

For more information and to sign up please visit the link below:

https://www.battersea.org.uk/support-us/challenges/bark-run

Date: Wednesday 14 May 2025

Location: Battersea Park, London