Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett

Dedicated animal expert MARION GARNETT, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair continues her column

AS YOU would expect, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has a lot going on – and it’s all needed. They’ve got lots of mouths to feed.

Favour, an eight-month old Lurcher, is just one of the puppies with a hungry tummy currently being filled by Battersea. She arrived at Battersea recently as her owner was no longer able to look after her. Favour loves both food and people and is looking for owners who want the reward of training a young dog. She can be timid at first but soon grows in confidence showing her fun nature. Although she enjoys meeting other dogs, she prefers a more sedate companion to potter about with. If you are interested in homing Favour, she is in the care of Battersea at their site on Priest Hill, Old Windsor, SL4 2JN. Call 01784 494 443 for details.

Battersea is holding a Windsor Fun Day on Saturday June 30, 10.30am4.30pm. There will be activities for visitors and their dogs including a Dog Show to find the Most Dashing Dog and Finest Female. There will be a wide range of stalls and games. It takes place in the picturesque grounds of Windsor Great Park SL4 2BA. Admission is free, parking is available. More details from 0300 3231 216.

While you are there, you will also be able to see dogs taking part in Windsor Great Park’s Muddy Dog Challenge. Registration is now closed but, if you enjoy watching people and dogs getting plastered, you’ll be in for a treat.

Another of Battersea’s activities but of a more sedate nature, is their knitting club where supporters create cat-friendly items such as blankets and toys. These can be for either Battersea’s cats and kittens or the supporter’s own. All levels of expertise are welcome, admission is £2. The next knitting club meeting is on Wednesday July 11 (5pm-8pm) and takes place at their London site at Battersea Park Road, SW8 4AA. You need to bring your own wool and knitting needles.

Finally, Battersea held their first Stray Over at their London site earlier this year. This event was so successful that it is being repeated on September 28 at Battersea’s Old Windsor site.

During the Stray Over, company colleagues challenge themselves to sleep out under the stars in aid of Battersea’s animals. Each team is required to raise £2,500 to take part. If your company is interested, see details at battersea.org.uk.