The DogCast Radio blog

A four year old Husky from Orpington, Kent stole the show and was given the ultimate accolade of being crowned Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Best Battersea Dog, which was sponsored by notonthehighstreet.com, at the charity’s Annual Reunion and Fun Day on Sunday 6 September.

Almost ten thousand animal lovers and their canine companions were in Battersea Park to enjoy the spectacle and make new friends.

Can your dog sit on command or wait while you walk away? How are they at coming back to you when called? Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is calling for London’s most obedient dogs to rally on Sunday 6 September for an elimination of the rebellious, where only the cleverest canines will be crowned ‘top dog’.

The obedience elimination is just one of many classes on offer at Battersea’s Annual Reunion and Fun Day in Battersea Park – the highlight of the charity’s canine social calendar.

A blind dog who was tied to a pallet of bricks and left to die is searching for a very special new home.

Delphine the springer spaniel captured the hearts of the nation after being dumped in a remote lane in Maidstone, Kent in May.

The terrified dog had ear infections and cataracts in both eyes which left her almost blind. Thanks to donations from the public Delphine had specialist veterinary treatment and although her sight could not be restored she is recovering well from her ordeal and now needs a new home.

People tend to think Christmas is the busiest time for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, however Battersea has seen a 204 per cent increase this year in the number of intake calls during the first week of the school summer holidays compared with a normal week in May.

With the school summer holidays in full swing and UK airports experiencing their busiest time of the year, the world famous rescue centre has seen a surge in the number of abandoned pets as owners head to sunnier climes.

Four year old tiny Cricket the nervous Chihuahua has finally overcome his fears and found a loving home of his own just in time for a summer of runs with the Ashes cricket series.

Cricket was so nervous of new people and new situations when he came into Battersea that staff at the Brands Hatch centre were worried he wouldn’t come out of his shell and find his perfect match.

Springer spaniel tied to a pallet of bricks in Maidstone is on the mend

Delphine was abandoned and alone when the RSPCA rescued her. The black and white springer spaniel was discovered tied to a pallet of bricks by a blue piece of nylon string with no food, water or shelter.

RSPCA inspector Tina Nash rescued the dog and rushed her to RSPCA Leybourne animal centre in Kent, where it was discovered that she was around five to seven years old and suffering from a number of health issues, including cataracts in both eyes that have left her almost totally blind, as well as ear infections.

Dogs Trust Shrewsbury Rehoming Appeal

Staff at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury are currently on the lookout for a loving home for a double doggy duo, who really are the best of friends and do everything together at the Rehoming Centre in the hope that they find a forever home together soon.

Dogs Trust Shrewsbury Rehoming Appeal

Staff at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury have their fingers crossed that an adorable elderly doggy duo, one of whom is blind in one eye and requires the company and confidence of his caring best friend, will soon find their forever home together.

Dog owners have been urged to keep their pets cool this weekend to avoid the heartbreak of losing a much-loved companion.

With weather forecasts predicting that temperatures could hit highs of 20c over the next few days, the RSPCA has issued its regular appeal to owners to keep their dogs safe in the sun.

RSPCA chief vet James Yeates said: “A hot car can be a death trap for dogs, it is as simple as that. Leaving your dog in a car, even on an average warm, even cloudy day, can put your pet at huge risk of suffering and even death.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and insurer LV= have teamed up in 2015 to celebrate the country's most talented rescue dogs. The insurer is sponsoring Battersea's Rescue Dog Agility team, showing off the finest canine athletes, all champions in their own right.

Throughout the year the skilful hounds will demonstrate their speed, pooch precision, and fido-finesse at events around the country, entertaining huge audiences and proving that rescue dogs can overcome any adversity and stay ahead of the pack.