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Here are some of the more significant events that have happened at Battersea Dogs Home from early beginnings in 1860 to the present day.

1860

2nd October - Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs established by Mrs Mary Tealby, in Holloway, North London.
Charles Dickens wrote an article in the press in support of the new Home.

1864

Mary Tealby, the founder of The Home, died.

1871

The Temporary Home moved to Battersea where it has remained ever since.

1878

First case of Rabies at The Home. Registration system of animals was introduced.

1881

15,735 dogs received at Battersea.

1883

Introduction of cats at Battersea.

1884

Prince of Wales becomes the first member of the Royal Family to be Patron of The Dogs Home Battersea and visited the Home.

1885

Queen Victoria becomes Patron of The Dogs Home Battersea. 25,578 dogs received.

1886

35,064 dogs received.

1895

The Home used 32 tons of biscuits, 420 gallons of milk and had 36,873 visitors.

1896

In the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the Home received over 42,500 dogs.

1897

The Duke and Duchess of Portland opened a country annex in Hackbridge, Surrey which had eight and half acres of land.

1901

After the death of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII takes over patronage of The Home.

1904

The Home opens on Sundays.

1905

The introduction of The Dogs Act. 23,165 dogs were received.

1906

Whittington Lodge was built, designed by well known architect, Clough Williams-Ellis.

1910

King George V takes over patronage of The Home on the death of King Edward VII.

1911

The Home starts collecting stray dogs from London Police Stations.

1916

The tax for dogs was reduced which prevented many dogs being thrown out onto the streets when the tax was due.

1917

The Home provided a temporary kennels for soldiers pets until they returned from the Front. 27,253 dogs and 2,608 cats received.

1924

The beginning of motor cars the first occurrence of dogs involved in road traffic accidents. 32,003 dogs and 4,917 cats received.

1932

Formal agreement made - all stray dogs found by the Metropolitan police would go to Battersea Dogs Home. 17,281 dogs and 4,271 cats received.

1934

The Country annex at Hackbridge is sold and Battersea opens a new home in Bow.

1940

September 15th - Battersea kennel roof damaged by night bombing raid - no casualties. A wartime (Executive) Emergency Committee is created for the duration of the war. 22,035 dogs and 2,810 cats received.

1941 - 1945

Battersea supplied many dogs to help the war effort. They were used as sentries, Red Cross Workers, parachuted into mine fields, trained to lay wires across country under concentrated fire and carried ammunition.

1947

Enormous increase of stray dogs due mainly to food shortages and rationing.

1955

Bow Street kennels are sold. 12,091 dogs and 1,127 cats received.

1956

On the 18th May, Queen Elizabeth II becomes patron.

1961

A damaging article was published by The Daily Mail implying that The Dogs Home Battersea used dogs for vivisection. A full apology was demanded and received.

1968

Large rebuilding programme of kennels in Battersea. 17,448 dogs and 958 cats received.

1975

Opening ceremony of Gloucester Kennels by The Duchess of Gloucester. 18,522 dogs and 822 cats received.

1979

Junior Members Club began. Bell Mead Kennels, a new country annex, was purchased to become a Kennel Maid training school.

1982

Bell Mead Kennels was officially opened by Jeremy Irons.

1984

Prince Michael of Kent becomes President of the Dogs Home. The Home employs its first full time veterinary surgeon. 20,000 dogs and 870 cats received.

1985

Association of British Dogs Homes is founded.

1989

Microchipping of dogs piloted and continues.

1991

Tealby building is opened by Her Majesty the Queen. The Home introduces dog behavioural assessments.

1995

First dog reunion in Battersea Park. The Rehabilitation Department was introduced. 9,000 dogs and 1602 cats received.

1997

May 14th - The new Kent Building officially opened by HRH Prince Michael of Kent. The Homes' website and Behaviour Hotline are launched.

1998

Lateral redesigns The Dogs Home website.

BBC film crew arrives to start filming documentary series.

1999

Two BBC series broadcast. Battersea at Brands Hatch opens to the public. The Home's website receives Emma Award.

2000

The BBC returns to film 3rd series.
July - Lost Dogs service goes London wide

2001
May - Battersea at Old Windsor (previously Bell Mead Kennels) is officially opened by HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

history | Old Windsor | Battersea tails | jobs

1860	2nd October - Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs established by Mrs Mary Tealby, in Holloway, North London. Charles Dickens wrote an article in the press in support of the new Home.
1864	Mary Tealby, the founder of The Home, died.
1871	The Temporary Home moved to Battersea where it has remained ever since.
1878	First case of Rabies at The Home. Registration system of animals was introduced.
1881	15,735 dogs received at Battersea.
1883	Introduction of cats at Battersea.
1884	Prince of Wales becomes the first member of the Royal Family to be Patron of The Dogs Home Battersea and visited the Home.
1885	Queen Victoria becomes Patron of The Dogs Home Battersea. 25,578 dogs received.
1886	35,064 dogs received.
1895	The Home used 32 tons of biscuits, 420 gallons of milk and had 36,873 visitors.
1896	In the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the Home received over 42,500 dogs.
1897	The Duke and Duchess of Portland opened a country annex in Hackbridge, Surrey which had eight and half acres of land.

1901	After the death of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII takes over patronage of The Home.
1904	The Home opens on Sundays.
1905	The introduction of The Dogs Act. 23,165 dogs were received.
1906	Whittington Lodge was built, designed by well known architect, Clough Williams-Ellis.
1910	King George V takes over patronage of The Home on the death of King Edward VII.
1911	The Home starts collecting stray dogs from London Police Stations.
1916	The tax for dogs was reduced which prevented many dogs being thrown out onto the streets when the tax was due.
1917	The Home provided a temporary kennels for soldiers pets until they returned from the Front. 27,253 dogs and 2,608 cats received.
1924	The beginning of motor cars the first occurrence of dogs involved in road traffic accidents. 32,003 dogs and 4,917 cats received.
1932	Formal agreement made - all stray dogs found by the Metropolitan police would go to Battersea Dogs Home. 17,281 dogs and 4,271 cats received.
1934	The Country annex at Hackbridge is sold and Battersea opens a new home in Bow.
1940	September 15th - Battersea kennel roof damaged by night bombing raid - no casualties. A wartime (Executive) Emergency Committee is created for the duration of the war. 22,035 dogs and 2,810 cats received.
1941 - 1945	Battersea supplied many dogs to help the war effort. They were used as sentries, Red Cross Workers, parachuted into mine fields, trained to lay wires across country under concentrated fire and carried ammunition.
1947	Enormous increase of stray dogs due mainly to food shortages and rationing.

1955	Bow Street kennels are sold. 12,091 dogs and 1,127 cats received.
1956	On the 18th May, Queen Elizabeth II becomes patron.
1961	A damaging article was published by The Daily Mail implying that The Dogs Home Battersea used dogs for vivisection. A full apology was demanded and received.
1968	Large rebuilding programme of kennels in Battersea. 17,448 dogs and 958 cats received.
1975	Opening ceremony of Gloucester Kennels by The Duchess of Gloucester. 18,522 dogs and 822 cats received.
1979	Junior Members Club began. Bell Mead Kennels, a new country annex, was purchased to become a Kennel Maid training school.
1982	Bell Mead Kennels was officially opened by Jeremy Irons.
1984	Prince Michael of Kent becomes President of the Dogs Home. The Home employs its first full time veterinary surgeon. 20,000 dogs and 870 cats received.
1985	Association of British Dogs Homes is founded.
1989	Microchipping of dogs piloted and continues.
1991	Tealby building is opened by Her Majesty the Queen. The Home introduces dog behavioural assessments.
1995	First dog reunion in Battersea Park. The Rehabilitation Department was introduced. 9,000 dogs and 1602 cats received.
1997	May 14th - The new Kent Building officially opened by HRH Prince Michael of Kent. The Homes' website and Behaviour Hotline are launched.
1998	Lateral redesigns The Dogs Home website. BBC film crew arrives to start filming documentary series.
1999	Two BBC series broadcast. Battersea at Brands Hatch opens to the public. The Home's website receives Emma Award.
2000	The BBC returns to film 3rd series. July - Lost Dogs service goes London wide
2001	May - Battersea at Old Windsor (previously Bell Mead Kennels) is officially opened by HRH Prince Michael of Kent.
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