Animal lovers and happy hounds bounded to Battersea Park for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Annual Reunion on Sunday 8 September.
Battersea Ambassadors David Gandy and Dame Jacqueline Wilson joined around five thousand owners and dogs at the free family Fun Day to show their support for the South London animal charity.
Spectators enjoyed a variety of dog classes, agility displays and special parades, including a reunion of stars from the award-winning ITV series Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs. Dame Jacqueline and David Gandy judged a number of classes at the event which featured many hounds rescued by Battersea.
Dame Jacqueline said: “It’s been a wonderful day at Battersea’s Annual Reunion and I’m glad to see so many dog lovers coming out in full force to show their support. I’ve really enjoyed judging the classes and meeting the brilliant dogs that Battersea has helped to find new homes.
“It is a great event to celebrate our four-legged friends and raise money for future animals that will find themselves on Battersea’s doorstep. I’m proud to be an Ambassador for a charity that can bring people together for such a great cause.”
Winner of the Best Battersea Dog class was loveable black mongrel Molly, who won over the judges with her tale of being rehomed from Battersea 15 years ago after arriving as a stray at only six months old. Her young owner Ruby Clare from Surrey grew up with Molly and the two have been inseparable since the day they met.
Ruby, 14, from Woking, said: “It’s brilliant to win Best Battersea Dog because we’ve entered every time we’ve been to the Annual Reunion and this year was Molly’s year. I’ve known her my whole life and she’s the most wonderful dog we could ever have asked for, she’s deaf now and going blind but she’s still a great dog.”
Other canine competitors who shone on the day included four year old Fern, the Lurcher from Worcester Park, and her owner Tristan Bradley who won Dog that Looks Most Like their Owner class, and 11 year old Kerry Blue Terrier Milo who won Handsomest dog with his owner Lauren Beadle from Clapham Junction.
Owners and their furry friends could also take the weight off their paws during the day by chilling out in a giant dog bedroom which was furnished with blankets donated by Battersea supporters. The blankets will be used to warm dogs’ paws during the colder winter months.
Katie Yanetski, Battersea’s London Centre Manager, said: “It has been a brilliant day and we are thrilled so many animal lovers turned out to show their support in lots of different ways. Everyone who entered the dog classes did a great job of showing off their dogs’ dazzling skills, and those who donated blankets, which will wrap up our pooches in the winter months, have helped us make sure our furry residents have a pleasant stay at Battersea before finding their perfect home. We would like to thank everyone who has made this day so special.”