Battersea Dogs Home hits 150

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is marking its 150th anniversary this year.

Since its foundation, the Home has provided sanctuary for more than 3m animals, giving a temporary home to more than 10,000 dogs and almost 3,500 cats in 2009.

Unlike many other facilities for strays, Battersea looks after its charges until someone else offers them a home.

At any one time the organisation has about 600 dogs and 200 cats across its three sites, with the average stay for an animal being just under a month. Sophie van Brugen reports.