A New Year's wish has been granted, as the leading London animal welfare charity Battersea has finally found a home for a cat who has been there longer than any other.
The two-year-old domestic short-hair cat, Winnie, has been rehomed after spending almost 200 days in the care of the charity; she was the last cat rehomed in 2023.
Formerly known as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, it was founded by Mary Tealby in 1860 as "The Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs".The charity has cared for more than 250,000 cats since taking in its first feline resident in 1883, including its most famous moggy Larry, who has served as chief mouser to the Cabinet Office in Downing Street since 2011 – and, of course, it has cared for Winnie. It recently celebrated 140 years since taking in its first moggies.
Winnie was initially brought to Battersea's Old Windsor centre as a pregnant stray, and she gave birth to five kittens shortly after her arrival. The kittens were soon taken on by foster carers until they were permanently given a home. Winnie required extra care, however, and was subsequently supported by Battersea's veterinary team. Winnie remained there until it was time to leave on New Year's Eve, when "she was spotted by a kind couple who fell in love with her affectionate nature and knew she was the cat for them...", the charity said.
Cattery team leader at Battersea Hazel Adams said: “We are so glad that Winnie has started off the new year in a loving new home after a long stay with us, which was made even more exciting as we are currently celebrating 140 years of caring for cats! Getting Winnie ready to find a new home was a real team effort from our dedicated clinic team, cattery staff, foster carers, and volunteers who looked after her during her stay; everyone here at Battersea is over the moon that she has finally found a family who loves her just as much as we do.”
In 2022, Battersea directly cared for 2,278 dogs and 2,253 cats at its three centres.
