A Dog's Life with Anna Webb

Battersea Wear Blue for Rescue Pt 1

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Episode notes

Celebrating Wear Blue for Rescue month at Battersea, Anna spent a morning at the London HQ to record a double bill! In this part one we’re talking to Lucy Stratton, the Dog Team Leader at Battersea. We have the pleasure of meeting Bil,l a 10 month old mix breed found abandoned, and now looking for his forever home. Lucy reiterates Battersea’s matching process, similar to a dating app that ensure that you and your prospective pooch are a match made in heaven for the best chances of a long happy life together. We discuss how every dog is an individual and how training and rehabilitation programs differ. With some dogs better suited to a more rural environment in either Battersea’s Brand's Hatch or Windsor facilities. With abandonment at record levels, Lucy explains how heart breaking it is if owners are forced, through no fault of their own, but down to circumstance, to handover their dogs. The team offer emotional support without any judgement and if the owners want can receive updates.


We chat about Wear Blue for Rescue and how this annual campaign goes to highlight that rescues make the best pets, especially as the selection process should ensure a perfect fit. For animals and humans alike, Battersea's Wear Blue for Rescue offers plenty of ways for everyone to get involved and show their love for rescue. Buy an item featuring the Rescue symbol from our online shop, or sign-up for a free pin badge or pet tag for you or your pet to proudly display wherever you go. If you prefer to get active, sign-up for Walk for Rescue, Battersea’s dog walking challenge, and raise vital funds with your furry friend by your side. Alternatively, rally your friends, family or colleagues and raise funds your way, no matter how big or small, with every penny making a huge difference to the lives of rescue dogs and cats, everywhere.​


We discuss how adopting a rescue has so many benefits for the humans involved too - not least in the process that is so rewarding at a time when dogs are considered to be in crisis.We chat about how over Battersea’s 160 years, over three million dogs have been successfully re-homed. Their aim is to continue this legacy at the recently refurbished and expanded London HQ that benefits from special rooms that mirror a home environment for de-sensitisation, lovely gardens and exercise zones planted with dog friendly herbs for extra interest. And the message that no dog is ever turned away and they can stay as long as it takes to find them the perfect forever home. 


Support Battersea's Wear Blue for Rescue to show your love for rescue animals, everywhere. ​ Because together, we're all in, for them.

Battersea.org.uk/wearblueforrescue #WearBlueforRescue


Battersea's Instagram

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

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