Royal Mail marks the 150th anniversary of the world famous Battersea Dogs & Cats Home on ten 1st Class stamps featuring animals successfully re-homed by the charity.

The cats and dogs featured on the stamps were once among the 12,000 animals the Home takes in every year at its three centres in London, Kent and Berkshire.

Fortunately Boris, Tigger, Herbie and the seven other soon-to-be-famous cats and dogs, were all successfully found new homes. The cats and dogs were photographed by animal photographer Steve Hoskins, whose aim was to capture the character and dignity of these one-time abandoned pets.

The charity began life as the ‘Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs’, and was established by Mary Tealby, in Holloway, north London in 1860. Eleven years later it moved to Battersea and in 1883 it started taking in cats.

And one hundred and fifty years since its formation, it remains true to its simple message: “We aim never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help”.

Julietta Edgar, Head of Special Stamps, Royal Mail said: “Stamps featuring animals have always been extremely popular with collectors and non-collectors alike, and I think these wonderfully charming and expressive images are a great way to mark the achievements of Battersea Dogs & Cats home.”

OUR DOGS has teamed up with Royal Mail and will be giving away sets of the stamps to some lucky readers. Watch this space!

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