A four-legged friend is a perfect addition to a home, and buying an adorable puppy is a fun way to introduce a pet into the family. However, have you considered adopting a dog or cat? Adopting a rescue animal is rewarding. It will change their life and yours. You could be saving a life or giving a pet a second chance.
An adult dog can be easier than a pup, as they might already have some training to a degree, and there’s less chance of any toilet mishaps in the house. Many animals need a new home, and these five animal shelters near you in London can help you find the perfect match.
Animal Shelters in London Near You
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home – One of the UK’s Oldest and Best Known
If you’re looking for London animal shelters, you’ve probably heard about Battersea Animal Shelter. Battersea is one of the UK’s oldest and best-known dog and cat shelters. It opened in 1860 as the Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs. The dogs were given shelter at founder Mary Tealby’s home.
Eventually, the rescue centre outgrew its premises in Holloway, North London, moving to its present location, Battersea, Southwest London, in 1871. The charity started to take in cats in 1883.
The site has undergone significant renovations, including a cutting-edge veterinary hospital, a hydrotherapy centre open to members of the public and their dogs, modern kennels and cattery, and office space.
They have three animal centres, one in Battersea, another in Old Windsor, and the third in Brands Hatch in Kent.
The centres are closed to the general public except for appointments and on the twice-monthly tours around the Battersea site, which cost £9.10 per person with an optional 90p donation.
- To rehome a pet, complete an online application form.
- Battersea will try and match animals with possible owners. It might take time because they want the best pairings for all involved.
- Once Battersea has found a potential union, they arrange a call with a member of the rehoming team.
- You then arrange an appointment to meet your potential furry friend.
Battersea has numerous success stories and is always on hand to help with any concerns to help your new dog or cat settle into their new home.
Address: 4 Battersea Park Rd, Nine Elms, London SW8 4AA
Telephone: 0800 001 4444
Celia Hammond Animal Trust – Cat Rescue
Celia Hammond founded the animal trust in 1986 to curb the feral cat population by neutering domestic cats. In those days, the cost of cat neutering was relatively high. Celia aimed to make neutering accessible to as many pet owners as possible.
There are two Celia Hammond animal sanctuaries in London, one in Lewisham in South East London and a second in Canning Town in East London.
Both branches continuously seek homes for cats and kittens, domestic dwellings and rural outdoor ones for feral cats. They give priority to homes in particular postcodes. However, if you can offer a home to one of their ‘harder to home’ cats, Celia Hammond will consider homes outside the catchment areas.
To adopt a cat from Celia Hammond Animal Trust (CHAT), give them a call, and arrange to speak with a member of the rehoming team. If there’s a possible match, they will arrange a home visit. After a successful home check, you can meet the cats.
CHAT rely on donations, and they suggest a minimum of £60.00 to cover neutering, microchipping, vaccinations, worming and flea treatment.
Adopters of CHAT’s cats speak highly of the excellent service the animal trust provides. They found the process of adopting a cat swift, thorough, and personable.
In addition to rescuing and rehoming cats, CHAT provides neutering clinics for owners on benefits or low income. Prices are,
- Cat Castration: £20.00
- Cat Spay: £25.00
- Dog Castration: from £65.00
- Bitch Spay: from £70.00
Neutering for rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets is also available.
If you’re in the position to give a loving home to a cat or looking for a kitten adoption in London, Celia Hammond Animal Trust is a worthwhile cause.
Address: 233-235 Lewisham Way, London SE4 1UY
Telephone: 020 8691 2100
Mayhew – A Community-Based Rescue Centre
Mayhew aims to promote animal welfare by providing veterinary care in the community and educational services in the UK and internationally. Their ultimate goal is for society to understand and appreciate the necessity of animal welfare.
The animal shelter in North West London rescues and rehomes dogs and cats. All animals undergo a full-behavioural and health assessment to ensure they go to the most suitable home.
The procedure for adopting a pet is similar to most animal rescue centres, including a home visit. The adoption fee is,
- Dogs: £160
- Cats: £80
In addition to rehoming, Mayhew will take pets in temporarily during a crisis, such as a hospital stay, rehab, or needing respite.
Mayhew believes in a community-based approach to encourage animal welfare. A part of this is promoting physical and mental well-being by taking therapy dogs into hospitals, care homes, hospices, mental health centres, and SEN schools.
The animal welfare organisation delivers an outreach service, reaching out to those in crisis, such as people experiencing homelessness. The centre regularly visits people and their pets without homes to assist where they can.
Mayhew also provides services in Afghanistan and Georgia to help with animal welfare.
Mayhew is an exceptionally caring and thoughtful animal rescue centre, where staff are helpful and passionate about their work.
Address: Trenmar Gardens, London NW10 6BJ
Telephone: 020 8962 8000
Guardian Angels – Animal Support
Based in Hounslow, West London, Guardian Angels helps mostly abandoned animals, ones who are elderly, have health problems or require special attention. However, the animal shelter will consider and endeavour to help all animals in need.
Guardian Angles are a non-profit animal rescue and rehoming organisation. Volunteers run the animal rescue centre within London’s Hounslow and surrounding areas.
The adoption process includes a home check, followed by one or two meet and greets with your potential pet. The animal centre tries to avoid putting dogs into kennels, so if you want to adopt a dog in London through Guardian Angels, you will likely meet the dog in a home environment.
The donation fee for adopting a dog is £150.00, and cats and kittens are £120.00.
Guardian Angels always have animals waiting to find their forever home. Volunteers try to keep the website updated, but not all dogs and cats are listed, so please ring to enquire about other pets waiting for rehoming.
If you are not in a position to give a dog or cat a home, there are other ways you can help. Guardian Angels regularly need fosterers to provide homes for animals. They always need donations, and even a can of dog food is a massive help to the charity.
Address: Guardian Angels Animal Support, PO Box 515, Hounslow, TW3 9LB
Telephone: 08447 452122
All Dogs Matter – Transforming The Lives of Unwanted Dogs
All Dogs Matter is a registered charity set up over a decade ago by Ira Moss and actor and animal rights activist Peter Egan. Ira is still the general manager of All Dogs Matter, with the help of her staff and many volunteers.
The work of All Dogs Matter changes the lives of around 350 dogs each year. All this good work has not gone unnoticed. The animal sanctuary has attracted the attention of many celebrities who are now patrons and friends of All Dogs Matter. Some prominent names endorsing All Dogs Matter include Alan Carr, Ricky Gervais and Michelle Collins.
The dogs’ best interests are paramount to All Dogs Matter. They are committed to never discriminating against any breed of dog or its age and will never put a healthy dog down.
All Dogs Matter always needs donations and holds many fundraising events. When writing, they advertise a Victoria Park Dog Show on 10th September and have places available for the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 8th October, where they ask each runner to commit to raising £350. They also have a shop in Muswell Hill Broadway.
If you want to adopt a dog in London or help by fostering, go to the All Dogs Matter website, which provides all the information.
Office Address: 30 Aylmer Parade, London, N2 0PE
Telephone: 020 8341 3196
Shop Address: 243 Muswell Hill Broadway, N10 1DE
Tips for Adopting a Pet From an Animal Shelter
- What animals can you adopt from an animal shelter? Cats and dogs are the most popular pets adopted from animal shelters. However, some have small animals, like rabbits and guinea pigs. Some sanctuaries have horses and ponies, goats, sheep, and pigs.
- How long does it take to adopt a dog? Once you’ve gone through the paperwork, home checks, and met your future furry friend, it takes about a week. Sometimes longer, one dog I adopted had a problem with his stitches after being neutered, so the RSPCA looked after him a bit longer before I could take him home.
