Introduction
Battersea Dogs Home is one of the UK’s most well-known animal welfare charities. Since 1860, they have been dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs and cats in need. Battersea’s primary mission is to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help, no matter their condition or circumstances. Over the years, Battersea has rescued and rehomed over 3 million dogs and cats. Their impact as a pioneering force in animal welfare cannot be understated.
About Battersea Dogs Home
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is located in South West London, on the banks of the River Thames in Battersea. It was founded in 1860 in Holloway, London by Mary Tealby under the name Battersea Dogs Home, and moved to its current location in Battersea in 1871 [1]. Originally established to provide temporary shelter and care for lost and abandoned dogs in London, it has since expanded to help all dogs and cats in need.
Today, Battersea is one of the UK’s largest and best-known animal rescue organizations. Since its founding, it has rescued, reunited and rehomed over 3 million dogs and cats [2]. In 2015 alone, the Home cared for over 8,000 dogs and cats [2]. Its facilities include kennels, catteries, an on-site veterinary clinic, and an animal hospital. Battersea provides veterinary care, behavior assessment and modification, training, and of course, rehoming services to help dogs and cats most in need.
Battersea’s Facilities
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has extensive facilities at their London location to care for the animals they rescue. This includes over 500 individual kennels to house dogs of all sizes, with outdoor runs attached so they can enjoy fresh air and exercise (Getting to our centres). The kennels have heated floors for comfort. There is also a dedicated cat house with individual pods for feline residents.
Battersea operates a full-service veterinary clinic onsite, with state-of-the-art facilities to provide medical care for injured and sick animals. This allows timely treatment and recovery in a stress-free environment. There are examination rooms, operating theaters, x-ray machines, and more. The clinic is staffed by experienced veterinarians and nurses (Battersea Dogs & Cats Home).
The site includes a professional grooming salon to bathe animals and tidy their coats before rehoming. There is also office space housing the rescue operations team that coordinates adoptions, foster care, and more behind-the-scenes work (Battersea Dogs & Cats Home).
The Hope Café
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home opened The Hope Café in 2015 as part of their site redevelopment. Located in the main reception area, this pet-friendly café allows visitors to enjoy coffee, lunch, and snacks in a relaxing atmosphere while their dogs relax at their feet.
The café menu features breakfast options like bacon sandwiches, avocado on toast, and granola with fruit and yogurt. For lunch, guests can choose from soups, salads, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, and daily specials like fish pie or sausage casserole. Bakery items, cakes, and hot and cold drinks are also available.
While providing a pleasant dining experience for human visitors, The Hope Café importantly generates profits to support Battersea’s animal welfare work. All proceeds from the café go directly back to caring for the dogs and cats at Battersea.
Visiting with Your Dog
The Hope Cafe at Battersea Dogs Home welcomes visitors who want to bring their dogs along. However, you must follow certain rules and processes for visiting with your dog.
It’s recommended that you book your table in advance by calling 020 7741 3391 or emailing [email protected], especially if you’re bringing your dog. This ensures there will be space and the staff will be prepared. Only well-behaved dogs are allowed and they must be kept on a lead at all times.
The cafe has special amenities for dogs, including a water bowl at each table and treats available to purchase. There’s also an outdoor courtyard area where dogs can relax. Visitors appreciate the chance for dogs to socialize with others in a safe environment.
Battersea provides some guidance for visiting with your dog:
- Only one dog allowed per table
- Dogs must stay on a short, non-retractable lead
- Owners are responsible for dog’s behavior
- Dogs showing aggression won’t be allowed
So with some planning and following the rules, you and your furry friend can enjoy a meal at Hope Cafe together.
Menu Highlights
The Hope Café at Battersea Dogs Home offers a selection of fresh, homemade food at reasonable prices. The lunch menu features soups, sandwiches, paninis, and salads. Dietary needs are accommodated with options like gluten-free bread, vegetarian and vegan dishes. Some highlights of the menu include:
Main courses like Fisherman’s Pie with salmon, smoked haddock and prawns for £8.75 or Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni (v) for £8.50 (Tealby’s).
Sandwiches like Coronation Chicken or Tuna Mayo for £5.75, served on white or multigrain bread (Tealby’s).
Homemade soups like Potato and Leek, Tomato and Basil, or Carrot and Coriander, served with bread for £5.25 (Tealby’s).
Fresh salads such as Greek Salad, Caesar Salad, or Falafel Salad for around £7.50 (Tealby’s).
Vegan and vegetarian options are available such as vegan sausage sandwiches. Gluten-free bread is also offered (Tealby’s).
The café also serves a range of cakes, desserts and hot drinks at reasonable prices (Tealby’s).
Atmosphere
The Hope Cafe has a welcoming, casual atmosphere perfect for relaxing with your four-legged friend. The decor features rustic wood tables and vintage photos of dogs from the Battersea archives covering the walls. There’s plenty of space between tables so dogs have room to wander and get comfortable.
The layout includes a spacious indoor seating area as well as a few outdoor tables, providing options for sunny or rainy days. Even when crowded, the cafe maintains a cozy and calm vibe thanks to the homey decor.
Visitors mention the cafe has a charming, down-to-earth feel where dogs are truly made to feel at home, with water bowls and treats readily available (TripAdvisor). The friendly staff help keep things relaxed by pampering pups and providing excellent service.
Reviews
The Hope Cafe receives positive reviews from visitors. According to a review on Yelp, the cafe serves good food like “sausage rolls… sandwiches and cake.” The reviewer said the prices were reasonable and they had a pleasant experience. On TripAdvisor, a visitor mentioned that the cafe was busy but had a nice atmosphere. They said the staff were friendly and their hot chocolate was “delicious.”
Some common pros from reviews include the cafe’s cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and its location within the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, allowing visitors to see the rescue animals. Cons seem to be minimal, with some comments about the cafe being small and busy at peak times.
Giving Back
The Hope Café allows visitors to Battersea Dogs Home a chance to grab a bite to eat while also supporting Battersea’s important mission of caring for lost and abandoned dogs and cats. All of the profits from the café go directly back to helping fund Battersea’s animal welfare operations.
In addition to visiting the café, there are other ways the public can support Battersea Dogs Home. Monetary donations can be made through the Battersea website to help care for the animals and continue operations. Battersea also relies on volunteers to help socialize and care for the dogs and cats while they wait for their forever homes. Information on volunteering at Battersea can be found on their website.
So whether you visit the Hope Café for a meal or drink, make a donation, or volunteer your time, know that you are making a meaningful impact on the lives of dogs and cats in need. Supporting Battersea is a great way to give back to animal welfare.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Battersea Dogs Home is more than just a top-rated animal shelter in the UK. With extensive facilities including the Hope Café, Battersea provides a welcoming haven for dogs and visitors alike. The Hope Café’s delicious homestyle cooking, cozy atmosphere, and meaningful mission make it a delightful destination. We hope you’ll pay a visit to meet the adorable residents and enjoy a tasty meal while supporting animal welfare. With your help, Battersea can continue their life-saving work for dogs and cats in need.
If you live nearby or are planning a trip to London, be sure to stop by Battersea Dogs Home to meet their dogs, see the facilities, and treat yourself to a meal at Hope Café. And if you can’t visit in person, you can still make a big difference by donating or volunteering your time. Together, we can create a better world for animals.