Battersea fire station’s blue watch campaign to encourage people to give rescue pets homes.

Some will do absolutely anything to look cute enough to get a cuddle from a firefighter, writes Toby Porter.

These rescue pets were helping Battersea fire station’s blue watch with a campaign to encourage people to give them homes.

Crews from the station, in Este Road, posed for photos in their uniforms, trying not to fall for the puppies and moggies themselves.

Learning not to get too involved with the gorgeous cuties they help is one of the toughest parts of the job.

The new campaign is run with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and called Wear Blue for Rescue.

It was launched to rally animal lovers to show their support for rescue by proudly wearing a special new rescue symbol to celebrate all that makes rescue animals so special, and help spread the word that these underdogs deserve a second chance in life.

Each year the London Fire Brigade rescues hundreds of animals, many of which are much-loved pets or strays.
This year they’ve already saved 726 animals including 331 cats and 86 dogs, as well as plenty of other animals, from horses to birds to goats and even snakes.

Blue watch’s visit gave the crew a rare chance to meet animals who weren’t in need of saving. All these animals needed were cuddles, games and maybe even a new home.

Leading firefighter Tom O’Connor said: “All of us on blue watch are delighted to be supporting Battersea’s Wear Blue for Rescue campaign.

“Firefighters love animals too and we are often called to assist distressed or injured animals when our specialist equipment is required.

“These animals can unfortunately sometimes be strays, so it’s a real comfort to know there are charities like Battersea that are ready to help.

“It was a real privilege to meet some of Battersea’s current residents and see the fantastic work that’s being done there by the wonderful staff and volunteers.”

The rescue dogs lucky enough to spend quality time with the firefighters included Maxwell, an eight-year-old French Bulldog who has been at Battersea for 163 days and recent arrival Troy, a very lively six-year-old Bichon Frise.

As a special surprise, the visitors were also introduced to two of Battersea’s smallest, and arguably cutest, residents – a pair of three-week-old puppies that are being hand-reared by one of Battersea’s many foster carers.

Battersea rehoming and welfare manager Adele Tuttlebee said: “Since we launched our Wear Blue campaign, we have been overwhelmed by the support it has received from animal-lovers everywhere.

“When the blue watch got in touch to share their support for rescue we thought it only right that we show our support in return for all the work that they do, including rescuing animals.

“What better way to say thanks than by introducing the crew to some of our current loveable residents?”

Anyone can get involved with the Wear Blue for Rescue campaign, whether they own a rescue pet or not.

People and their pets can show their support by proudly wearing the new rescue symbol, whether it be on a pin badge, a T-shirt, tote bag or a pet collar tag.

To find out more about the Wear Blue for Rescue campaign visit www.battersea.org.uk/wearblueforrescue