Behaviour Hotline

0905 020 0222
calls cost 25p per minute
[email protected]

Battersea's Behaviour Hotline provides a service for pet owners, both new and experienced, who have problems with their dog or cat's behaviour. The service can provide a real lifeline, as one telephone call to the Hotline can give owners the advice and expertise they need to get back on track.
Lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with messages taken at other times.

The Hotline receives over 300 calls a month, and it is promoted by the Home when rehoming a dog or cat, and recommended by other organisations. Most callers have ex-Battersea animals, but the support given is not restricted - anyone can call for advice. And in fact around 40% of calls are from non-Battersea pet owners.

What the Behaviour Hotline covers and recommends

The Hotline deals with a range of problems such as house-training, basic control and separation problems. However, aggression problems cannot be dealt with over the phone - in these cases first-aid advice is given if needed and a visit to a behaviourist is recommended to review the problem.

Although the majority of calls are for dog problems, the Hotline deals with 20 to 30 calls a month regarding cats, and has a good knowledge of cat behaviour.

We recommend owners contact their own vet before phoning for advice, as there are a number of veterinary conditions that can affect an animal's behaviour.

We also recommend that owners seek help with behavioural problems as soon as they start, as the longer problems are left the harder they are to treat.

Solving behaviour problems can take time and commitment. However, most problems can be helped, so patience brings rewards.

How it works
Call 0905 020 0222 or e-mail [email protected]. There is an answering service out of hours or when the line is busy. Messages are returned the same day where possible.

Our Hotline staff record details of the owner and the animal, such as the dog or cat's name, breed and age. We then take the details of the behavioural problem.

We discuss the problem with the owner and ask questions such as the situation in which it occurs, the involvement of the owner, and the length of time the problem has been occurring, before making a diagnosis.

Sufficient advice may be given over the telephone, or we will send the owner an individual behaviour programme, which is specific to the animal's needs and works through the problem step by step.

We ask owners to give the programme three to four weeks to take effect, depending on the severity. The Hotline staff will follow up with the owner where required to check how they are getting on and give any more assistance.

We have built up good relationships with behaviourists and dog trainers and can recommend them when owners need one-on-one help.

Our aims

To help owners change and control a wide variety of behavioural problems, from settling their pet into its new home through to long-standing unwanted behavioural issues the owner may have been trying to cope with for years.

To reduce the number of dogs and cats brought to Battersea, or brought back after rehoming, due to behavioural problems, by offering easily accessible and immediate behavioural advice.

To record information on problems and trends in behaviour that may affect the future rehoming of the animals in our care.