Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert MARION GARNETT, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair continues her column
Walking up Tottenham Court Road recently, you would have been forgiven for wondering what was going on. For there, in the windows of many of the shops such as Heal’s and DFS were homeless dogs stretched out on the sofas and lying on the rugs – together with their handler from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Battersea had teamed up with Tottenham Court Road retailers to showcase 10 dogs needing a home, one in each shop window, and to remind passersby of the benefits of bringing home a rescue dog.
For many of the dogs it was an opportunity to enjoy time out from their kennels and show how easily they could fit into their new owner’s home. This was a brilliant idea but Battersea has more new ideas up their sleeve.
Before we find out about them, let’s look at one of Battersea’s dogs who currently needs a home, Captain, a lurcher who came to Battersea a month ago.
He is an ex-sporting dog who is not keen on kennels but loves being with people.
He’s a young dog and is looking for owners to teach him some manners. If this could be you, Captain is waiting at the rehoming centre at Battersea Park Road.
Another new idea that Battersea has developed takes place on Sunday October 7 (9.30am4pm).
Their first Pet Memory Walk is intended to help people celebrate the life of a pet who, although they may no longer be with us, brought joy into their owner’s lives. Although it’s too late to register for the walk, we are still welcome to go to Battersea Park to support the event and soak up the atmosphere. And, for those who haven’t been to Battersea Park recently, it’s a fantastic place to spend an autumn afternoon, with so much going on there.
Yet another of Battersea’s new ideas is their Battersea Lates programme. The first event in this programme is their Cinema evening taking place on October 24/25 (6.45pm to 10.30pm) when they will be turning the railway arches at the rehoming centre into a cinema for a screening of Homeward Bound.
Guests will be able to meet some of Battersea’s residents and buy pizza and drinks. Tickets are £12 (in advance only) from battersea.org.uk.
In this week, when we’re thinking of “firsts”, if there is someone you want to ask for a first date and haven’t had the courage, this unique first evening of Battersea Lates could be your opportunity.