Battersea Dogs & Cats Home chat

To celebrate its 150TH anniversary this year, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home have launched a new series of books, Battersea Dogs Home. NG Kids catches up with Amy Watson, their educational officer to find out more about the books and what it’s like working for such an amazing organisation...

NG Kids Hi Amy! What does being an educational officer at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home involve?
Amy I help educate young people about the work we do and how to be a good pet owner. This usually involves doing talks at schools and other places, or talking to visitors, like Brownies, or summer holiday clubs.

NGK Sounds like fun! Could you tell us a bit about the brilliant work Battersea Dogs & Cats Home does?
Amy We look after dogs and cats that don’t have homes, and don’t have any owners. That might be because they’re a stray or their existing owner might not be able to look after them anymore. So we look after them while we’re looking for a new home for them.

   

NGK What do you like most about your job?
Amy Taking dogs to meet children and seeing the effect it has! I also love taking kids into our cattery, where they can see kittens playing and the cats being groomed. We have an reunion every September, where people bring their dogs back, and it’s great to see how they’ve settled into their new homes!

NGK Can you tell us a bit about the Battersea Dogs Home books?
Amy There are six, and they’re all based on dogs that have spent time at Battersea. One of the books, Misty’s Story, is actually based on my dog, Hattie! The stories are all quite funny, and the dogs in them are quite naughty!

NGK Do you have any other pets?
Amy I’ve got another dog, called Blossom, but I’ve not got any cats at the moment because both of the dogs are quite lively – I don’t think a cat could cope with both of them. I’d like to get a cat one day though!

   

NGK What advice would you give to NG Kids readers who want to get involved with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home or other animal charities?
Amy There’s tons of ways they can help! Fund-raising is always great because most charities rely on donations to do their work. Getting out our message is good too. For instance, if you know someone who wants to get a dog or cat, remind them there are thousands of cats and dogs who need a good home!

The Battersea Dogs Home books are out now. Find out more at the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home website!

 

 Interview: Sophie Mirza