Battersea’s black cats to break spell of bad luck

A trio of unlucky black felines at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in Old Windsor is hoping their fortune will change next week as they attempt to bewitch new owners in time for Halloween.

The family of three - mother Bella, son Jumbo and daughter Pingu - who were brought to the centre on Priest Hill in September after their owner moved house, is looking for a quiet home together. Battersea staff find that midnight-coloured moggies are harder to rehome than their tabby or ginger counterparts, taking an average length of 34 days to find a home as opposed to the average length of stay of all cats which is 25 days.

Tamara Willis, Battersea Old Windsor's Cattery Rehomer, said: "This beautiful family of black cats has sadly found themselves at Battersea in Old Windsor through no fault of their own and we're hoping, as it is Halloween, they may get a little extra attention this week. It can be hard enough rehoming black cats individually, and even though it will be challenge rehoming three altogether, we would never separate them as they'd be too unhappy apart."

There is no time limit on how long an animal can stay at the Berkshire animal charity looking for a new home. Battersea Old Windsor has taken in over 150 black cats so far this year, as opposed to 83 tabby and 36 ginger moggies, and currently over 50 per cent of the cats are primarily coloured black.

Tamara added: "Some people may be superstitious or say black cats are less distinguishable in their pens or boring to look at, but these three all have beautiful personalities, and their individual traits will shine through in a new home. The colour of a cat should not factor into a potential owner's decision to rehome a cat and Battersea would never rehome a cat on looks alone."

Four year old Bella and two year olds Pingu and Jumbo could live in a home with first time cat owners, children over 13 years old and must have outside access. The sleek trio can live in any location without other dogs or cats.

If you are interested in rehoming Bella, Jumbo and Pingu, please visit www.battersea.org.uk or email bow.rehomers@battersea.org.uk or call 01784 494443.

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For more information and images please contact 020 7627 9332 or email press@battersea.org.uk

Notes to editors

Battersea's Old Windsor centre took in more than 1200 dogs and 540 cats in 2013.

Established in 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home aims never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help. We reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners through our Lost Dogs & Cats Line or care for them until new homes can be found for them, giving them shelter and the highest standards of kennelling and veterinary care.

Since it was founded, Battersea has rescued, reunited and rehomed over 3.1 million dogs and cats.

Battersea cares for an average of 400 dogs and 250 cats across its three centres at any one time.

There is no time limit on how long an animal can stay at the charity but the average stay for a dog is 29 days and 25 days for a cat.

In 2013 44% of dogs and 47% of cats arrived as strays.

A team of over 1100 volunteers help at Battersea's three centres, in roles including dog and cat socialising, gardening, admin support and giving talks in the community.

It costs £12.7 million to care for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home's animals each year.

In addition to the site in South West London, the Home also has two other centres based at Old Windsor, Berkshire and Brands Hatch, Kent.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home rehomes dogs and cats all over the UK.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home receives no central government funding towards the care of its dogs and cats and relies on the generosity and support of the public to help care for lost and abandoned dogs & cats. To make a donation visit our website or call 0870 890 0000.

For further information on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home please visit www.battersea.org.uk.

Follow Battersea on Twitter @BDCH or facebook.com/Battersea

Georgina Watson

Communications Officer

D: 020 7627 9332

E: G.Watson@battersea.org.uk