From crackers to festive treats, staff and volunteers are going the extra mile for a special group of cats this Christmas.
10-year-old Helena, as well as one-year-old Piggy-Wiggy and Smudge at Battersea Brands Hatch, have all found new owners in time for the big day. But what about the other felines waiting for their special homes?
Recent figures have shown homeowners looking to give up their cats has doubled since 2022, with this year seeing a 22% rise in the number of kittens coming into the centres.
Speaking about Christmas at the charity, Lisa Stockwell, rehoming and welfare manager, said: “We like to keep things as consistent as we can for our cats because they do like that.
“But the staff tend to make it as festive as they can at Christmas.
“We have stockings hung up and make up little crackers so the cats can all have them on the day with treats and toys in.
“Sometimes they get something a little extra tasty in their breakfast and dinner as well.”
Homeowners looking to give up their cats have doubled since 2022, with this year seeing a 22% rise in the number of kittens coming into the centres.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit from “Santa Paws” – when every resident is given extra toys to play with.
In the afternoon, they can curl up on a warm lap for a snooze.
There are around 200 cats in care at Battersea across London, Old Windsor, and Brands Hatch.
The Kent branch is the smallest site and has 16 moggies, including those being looked after by foster carers.
Despite working on Christmas day, many of the staff and volunteers love to come in and keep the cats company.
Lisa has been at Battersea for more than eight years and feels “very privileged” to rehome pets with their excited owners.
The 35-year-old remembers spending several Christmas and Boxing Day on shifts at the centre.
She added: “I really enjoy working Christmas Day. We’re all here for the animals so no one minds working.
“Everyone has got Christmas hats on and bells are jingling.
“We do a Christmas lunch for everyone so we all get to sit down and have a meal, and we tend to exchange presents as part of a Secret Santa.
“It’s actually a really nice day and all the animals get lots of love and attention.”
Around 600 people volunteer across the three sites, with 31 regularly attending the Brands Hatch.
To find out how to lend a helping hand, click here.
“Generally we get a lot of volunteers coming in over Christmas because they want to be able to give their time,” Lisa said.
“It’s a fun, festive day and everyone really enjoys it.
“Some volunteers, especially if they live at home, enjoy coming down for Christmas Day because they get to spend it with other people and the animals, so that’s really nice.
“But other volunteers simply want to be able to give up their time and just give back.
“Even if they come in for an hour or so, they like to sit with the cats and make sure their Christmas is enjoyable.
“Generally we do see that some volunteers work extra shifts over the Christmas period, especially if they’ve got time off work.”
Despite the holiday festivities, the charity has reported a sharp increase in the number of intake calls.
The average length of stay for a cat at Battersea is currently 28 days.
Battersea is celebrating its 140th year of caring for cats. Since 1883, they have cared for 250,000 moggies.
Lisa added: “I’m in on Boxing Day this year – so I’ll be doing a nice buffet for everyone and I’ll be helping out in the cattery making sure all the cats are okay.
“I’m looking forward to it, I honestly really enjoy it.
“All of the staff love working over the Christmas period because we all love the cats.”
Hope you have a very Meowy Christmas.
