Q&A Battersea Dog's Home

• Here I have selected appropriate Q&A's from the Battersea Dog's home website. There are some topics which I have touched on in the early stages of the project which has being confirmed, such as the increase in breeds like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in recent years as they serve as 'status dogs' for youths.

  It is hard to establish the truth surrounding the fait of the dogs should they go a long time without being re-homed. All the shelters sites suggest there is no time limit on the stay of the animal, whereas animal rights websites claim otherwise.
  There are questions surrounding the topic of illegal breeds brought up, again another issue touched on in the earlier stages of this assignment.
  
  

  
  

  
  

  How many animals do you take in each year?

• In 2011 we cared for 8,904 animals across our three sites - 5,941 dogs and 2,963 cats.

  
  

  • Where do you collect dogs from and how do they come into the Home?

  • Dogs are brought into the Home by local authority animal wardens, employed to collect stray animals. 

    This system has only been implemented recently – before, people were encouraged to take stray animals to their local police station. 

     If you have found a lost or stray dog you will need to contact your local animal warden.  Contact details can be found by calling your local council, or going on your local council’s website.

    Owners also give their animals to us when they are unable, or unwilling, to care for them any more. In some cases a new baby has arrived on the scene and the parents are no longer able to keep their animal; or owners move home and can no longer accommodate their pet. 

    Sometimes owners take in a new pet into a household which already has a dog or cat and the animals don’t get on.  There are many reasons why people give their animals to us.

    
    

    • How long will you keep a stray dog or cat for before you are able to rehome it?

    • We keep a stray dog or cat for seven days before we start the rehoming process. There is no time limit on how long animals can stay with us.  We will care for the animals until they find a new home.

      On average, dogs stay with us for 48 days before they find a new home, and cats stay for 32 days before finding a new owner. 

      
      

      • What happens if you take in a particularly aggressive dog?

      • All of the dogs that come into the Home will first be seen by a member of our Veterinary team and then by an experienced member of our Behaviour Unit.

        If a dog displays serious aggression issues we sometimes have to make the sad but ultimately responsible decision to put the dog to sleep. 

        All stray dogs are kept in the Home for seven days before they have a behaviour assessment.

        
        

        • What is the most popular breed of dog you see coming into Battersea Dogs & Cats Home?

        • We see large numbers of different breeds coming into the Home.  In the 1990s the German Shepherd was the most common, but now the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the most common breed we see coming into the Home.

          
          

          • Why are there so many Staffordshire Bull Terriers at the Home?

          • One of the most popular of all the terriers, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has unfortunately become the victim of his own success and is being over bred in the UK, with supply far outstripping demand. Breed rescues and animal welfare charities are inundated with unwanted dogs. 
             
            Sadly we are seeing more Staffordshire Bull Terriers being purchased by youths as status dogs.  Many young people get a dog as a status symbol, without the knowledge of how to handle and care for the animal.

            In addition many irresponsible owners are breeding Staffies and selling the puppies to anyone that has the money, without any checks to ensure that the dog is going to live in a suitable home and environment.
             
            Staffordshire Bull Terriers tend to make very good pets but like any other breed of dog they need socialising and training from a young age to keep them well adjusted in society. 

            They are a breed that is very eager to please and can make terrific pets and that’s also why so many other dog owners fall for them.

            
            

            • What happens if the Home takes in an illegal breed like a Pit Bull Terrier?

            • There are four banned dog breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which are the Pit Bull Terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasiliero. 

              If a banned breed of dog is identified, we are obliged by law to take whatever course of action the Police request of us. 

              
              

              • Does the Home receive government funding?

              • We are heavily reliant on the generosity of our supporters through gifts in wills and donations. 

                We do receive some local government funding, but without the support of the kind people who give their money to help the Home each year, we would not be able to provide the same level of high quality care for the animals that we do today.

                
                

                (http://www.battersea.org.uk/about_us/frequently_asked_questions/)