Four legs and a tale
Funding support from People’s Postcode Lottery players has been unwavering, allowing so many good causes a glimmer of hope and the opportunity to plan for the future.
IT’s one of Britain’s best-loved and highestprofile charities – helping thousands of dogs and cats every year and making life better for every animal that comes under its care.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has received a massive £4.7million in funding since 2014 thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery. That money has been invested not just in its rescue centres, but also in providing expert help to pet owners all over the country.
Initiatives include the Pet Behaviour Advice Line, training videos and new online dog training classes, which allow owners and pets to learn together at home using the positive reinforcement training style recommended by Battersea.
Rob Bays, canine behaviourist and training manager at the charity, explains: “Our work to help every dog and cat doesn’t stop at our centres. By accessing us online, pet owners can benefit from our 160 years of knowledge and expertise caring for more than three million dogs and cats.
“Thanks to the funding that has allowed further development of our training and advice programmes, we can reach all corners of the country and help encourage a nation of happy and responsible pet owners.”
Many of the pets arriving at Battersea as strays lack basic training, so emphasis is given to making sure they learn the skills they need to thrive in new homes. This could be something as simple as dogs learning to sit on command or walking on a lead, or helping withdrawn cats to build up trust and interact with people.
LEARNING SKILLS
Over the past seven years, People’s Postcode Lottery players have helped support Battersea’s specialist staff who deliver expert veterinary, welfare and behavioural care.
Funding from players has also helped Battersea’s volunteers and foster carers, improving the lives of more neglected animals by engaging supporters, reaching the wider public and influencing governments on important animal welfare issues.
People’s Postcode Lottery managing director Lorna
Menzies says: “We are immensely proud of the fact that for 15 years we have not only been able to help vulnerable people in every corner of Britain, but also thousands of pets and other animals.
“That is almost entirely due to the tremendous efforts of our big-hearted and loyal family of players. Helping good causes clearly matters so much to them – and those caring players really do matter to us.”
Since 2005, People’s than £800million for a wide array of good causes and charities including Breast Cancer Now, the Alzheimer’s Society, Barnardo’s, Cats Protection, The Conservation Volunteers and the Woodland Trust.
And winning isn’t just about putting money in your own pocket. A minimum of 33 per cent of each ticket price goes to charities and good causes. Players have already helped to fund over 9,000 deserving projects across Britain and around the world. Lorna says: “There are major financial and funding obstacles facing thousands of local communities and projects right now but the funding support from People’s Postcode Lottery players has been unwavering, allowing so many good causes a glimmer of hope and the opportunity to plan for the future.”