Christmas is a lonely time for anyone, human or animal, to be without a home. But one animal shelter has come up with an incredibly creative way to try to find its dogs a place to call their own in time for the holidays.
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is a nonprofit organization located in England, with three centers in London, Old Windsor in Berkshire, and Brands Hatch in Kent. Battersea has been active for over 150 years, opening its doors to stray animals in 1860, with the welcoming of their first stray dog.
This year, Battersea is focusing its efforts on finding a home for four of their "loneliest" dogs in time for the holidays, by posing the pups for "letters to Santa" that have since gone viral.
Scroll through to learn more about this amazing photo project!
Thumbnail Photo: Facebook / Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
[H/T: Daily Mail]
Battersea's Facebook page states that the organization is committed to "rescuing, reuniting, and rehoming lost, abandoned, and unwanted animals."
In a press release, the organization explains that it has rescued, reunited, and rehomed over 3.1 million dogs and cats since its founding in 1860. They expect to care for 270 dogs and 200 cats on Christmas day.
In honor of the approaching Christmas holiday, the staff decided to help out a few of the dogs that have long been searching for their forever home.
In a post sharing the sweet photos, the Battersea staff writes:
“With Christmas fast approaching, Battersea staff are getting into the festive spirit by helping some of our loneliest dogs pen some adorable letters to Santa.
It won’t come as much of a surprise that finding a home is top of the list for Darcy, Sally, Mr. Scruffy and Sky. Our four legged friends are all hoping they won’t have to spend much longer in our kennels but our lovely staff will make sure they have an extra special Christmas this year."
Darcy the beagle's letter reads:
“Dear Santa,
For Christmas I would like a home with a garden of my own and I would also like someone to play with please.
Love Darcy.”
Sally the greyhound's letter to Santa says:
“Dear Santa,
For Christmas I want a comfy bed all of my own and someone who will snuggle with me.
Love Sally.”
Mixed breed Mr. Scruffy wrote to Santa:
“Dear Santa,
All I want for Christmas is a home where someone will love me, even when I have a bad hair day. Can you please help me?
Love Mr. Scruffy.”
Sky, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, said:
“Dear Santa,
My name is Sky and I have been at Battersea for 120 days, which is a really, really long time. For Christmas, can I please have a family to love me?
Love Sky.”
Battersea's rehoming and welfare manager Becky Fisher explained the purpose of the photos.
"We do everything we can to make Christmas as fun as possible for our dogs — we give them a special Christmas lunch, decorate the kennels, and play carols to get them in the festive spirit," she said.
"But it's not the same as being in their own home — and we're hoping these letters will help shine the spotlight on some of our dogs who face spending the festive season at Battersea, without a family," she continued.
If you're near London, Old Windsor in Berkshire, and Brands Hatch in Kent (where Battersea has locations) and want to learn more about adopting one of their animals or making a donation, you can check out their website.
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