Battersea, who have continued to look after the charity’s homeless dogs and cats throughout the pandemic had a special visitor today.
Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, visited Battersea’s Old Windsor centre in Berkshire to shine a light on the charities great work and to officially open a new facility ‘The Duchess of Cornwall kennels’.
This brand-new facility includes a dedicated maternity area and puppy paddock, as well as outdoor paddocks and chill-out rooms to help unwanted pets thrive in Battersea’s care and will help Battersea prepare for an anticipated increase in unwanted puppies.
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In what is the charity’s 160th Anniversary year, Her Royal Highness heard how Battersea has continued to care for dogs and cats in need throughout lockdown, and thanks to generous support from its donors, has built world-class facilities to help it provide the best possible care for dogs and puppies that have been relinquished by their owners.
Battersea staff who have come onsite throughout the pandemic to look after the charity’s homeless dogs and cats met The Duchess of Cornwall on her second visit to the Berkshire rescue centre since she was announced as Royal Patron in February 2017. They were joined in a special Battersea Guard of Honour by some of the charity’s volunteers who have been temporarily fostering dogs and cats in their own homes throughout lockdown.
The Duchess of Cornwall kennels will help young puppies like Ernie, a nine-week-old Pug whose owner’s needed Battersea’s help when their dog rejected her puppies at only few days old. Her Royal Highness met Ernie on her visit today and heard how he and his brother have since found loving homes.
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It will help Battersea provide the very best care to dogs that for whatever reason have to be given up by their owners. The charity has continued to offer help and advice to owners throughout the pandemic, taking in emergency cases during national lockdown, providing behaviour advice through a dedicated advice line manned by the charity’s staff, and most recently expanding its online pet advice offering to include puppy training classes over Zoom.
HRH was joined by her Battersea rescue dog Beth.
Claire Horton, Chief Executive at Battersea said: “We are always thrilled to welcome our wonderful Royal Patron The Duchess of Cornwall to our centres to see first-hand the vital work we are carrying out to help dogs and cats that need our help. Today’s visit was also an occasion to officially open our brand-new kennel facilities that will offer some of our most vulnerable dogs the space, comfort, and level of care they desperately need.”
© @battersea
Since Battersea was founded 160 years ago, they have been committed to helping every dog and cat that needs them – championing their rights, loving their imperfections and expertly caring for them. At Battersea rescue is their favourite breed. The charity relies on the generosity of the public to carry out their vital work, now more than ever. You can donate to Battersea at https://donate.battersea.org.uk.