First stray of the year comes to Battersea Dogs Home

As the country settles into 2012, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has already received its first homeless dog of the year.

The first dog to arrive was Will the 10 year old Jack Russell Terrier Cross. He arrived at Battersea after being found in Kensington & Chelsea by a member of the public. A lovely old lad, Will was shy to begin with, but having got to know some of the Home's Lost & Found team, he has begun to show his playful side.

Intake Manager James Worsfold was one of the members of staff who looked after Will when he arrived at the Home. He explains: "At Battersea we are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, so even on New Year's Day animals arrive at our gates. We receive an average of 17 dogs and seven cats a day, and New Year can be even more busy than normal, as pets can run away if they are scared by fireworks, or may escape through an open door if their owner is hosting a party."

Will wasn't wearing a collar and tag nor had a microchip. Both of these dramatically increase a dog's chances of being reunited with their owner, but unfortunately only a third of dogs are microchipped on arrival at Battersea, and a mere 2% of dogs have collars and tags.

Will is among the thousands of animals who will pass through Battersea's gates this year. Like him, 66% of dogs and 48% of cats arriving at Battersea are strays. As with all strays, he will now receive an in-depth behaviour and medical assessment, then wait patiently at the Home for seven days in the hope that his owner gets in touch with Battersea and reclaims him. If the charity is unable to find his owner, after he's gone through his assessments, they will start the process of finding a new home.

Anyone interested in finding out more about animals at Battersea can contact Battersea's Rehoming team on 0207 627 9234 orrehoming@battersea.org.uk or the Lost and Found Dogs and Cats Line on 0901 477 8477. Calls to this line cost 60p per minute from a BT landline, other networks may vary. Open 8am to 8pm.