Battersea dogs and cats enjoy extra love during lockdown

Battersea dogs and cats enjoy extra love during lockdown

Life under lockdown has yielded an unexpected bonus for some of Battersea’s loneliest animals - unlimited cat cuddles and double daily walkies.

The south London-based charity, ordinarily home to up to 400 cats and dogs across its three sites, currently has around 60 would-be pets cared for by a skeleton staff as social distancing and temporary safety measures introduced following the coronavirus outbreak continue to pose challenges for operations.

But despite the changes - and a multimillion-pound drop in its revenue stream - Battersea Dogs and Cats Home said its long-term residents have been enjoying the extra attention after staff doubled rehoming efforts and sent another 150 animals out for fostering in the week leading up to lockdown, leaving the number of furry occupants at just a fraction of their normal capacity.