Charity hosts blue-themed party for rescue animals

Apple (left) has been adopted since the party, but Marvin (right) is one of the home's longest-staying residents

An animal rehoming charity has hosted a themed party to mark a month of celebrating rescue animals.

Battersea's Old Windsor centre held the party on Monday for its cats and dogs, to show support for the charity's Wear Blue for Rescue campaign this September.

Animals enjoyed paddling pools, toys, games and treats - all blue-themed, the colour that dogs primarily see in.

Team leader Zenya Green said the campaign was "all about showing our love for rescue animals".

Marshmallow the cat also got blue toys to play with

One of the dogs that attended the party was Marvin, a three-year-old Lurcher who has been at Battersea for more than 170 days - making him one of the charity's longest staying residents.

Marcie the bulldog and Marshmallow the white cat are also still waiting to be adopted, but Daisy the Labrador and Apple the Lurcher have been rehomed since the party.

Marcie the Bulldog is still looking for a new home

Battersea, which has bases in London, Windsor and Kent, directly cared for 2,529 dogs and 2,450 cats in 2023.

The charity said it also supports other animals though campaigning, providing advice for pet owners, and supporting animal welfare activists.

The event was part of a month-long campaign to celebrate rescue animals

Ms Green said: "We believe rescue is best, and what better way to kick off a whole month of celebrating rescue than with a party for the animals in our care who are waiting for their new homes?"

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has encouraged people to have a party of their own to celebrate rescue animals, as well as join the Walk for Rescue initiative - where people walk 18.6 miles (30km), 37.3 miles (60km) or 55.9 miles (90km) to raise money for the charity.

"We can't wait to see what the rest of the month brings," said Ms Green.