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Lost & Found: True Tales of Love and Rescue from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

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In the heart-warming Lost and Found, discover tales from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home that celebrate the power of animals to transform people's lives.

We hear from the young boy whose Battersea dog helped him to deal with a serious autoimmune disease, and from a woman whose Staffie was the friend who got her through cancer.

We meet the couple who were brought together by a Battersea dog; the man who took on a three-legged kitten which changed his life; and the former Battersea hound who became a search and rescue dog.

Read these and many other powerful stories from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Lost and Found has something for dog and cat lovers alike, and is perfect reading for fans of A Streetcat Named Bob and Paul O'Grady's For The Love Of Dogs.


Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is the UK's oldest and most famous home for dogs and cats. The Home aims never to turn away a dog or cat in need of help, reuniting lost dogs and cats with their owners or caring for them until new homes can be found. Battersea also works to educate the public about responsible pet ownership. Every year the Home cares for over 9,000 lost, abandoned and neglected dogs and cats, and in 2010 the home marked its 150th anniversary.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2014

27 people are currently reading
281 people want to read

About the author

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

37 books14 followers
Established in 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home aims to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners; when we can’t do this we care for them until new owners can be found for them.

We’re one of just a few animal rescue centres that run a non-selective intake policy. This means we accept any breed of animal, at any age, including dogs or cats with serious medical and behavioural problems. Our expert team of dog trainers and veterinary staff give the animals in our care the best possible chance of a fresh start in a happy new home in the UK, or even further afield.

There is no time limit on how long an animal stays with us until the perfect new owners are found.

We work hard to educate the public about responsible pet ownership including microchipping, neutering and training. This includes educational talks and visits to schools and organisations, events, and publications.

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5 stars
213 (53%)
4 stars
117 (29%)
3 stars
53 (13%)
2 stars
8 (2%)
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5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Clare O'Beara.
Author 25 books372 followers
May 4, 2017
I enjoyed this set of true stories about cats, dogs and adoptive owners brought together by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. We sometimes need to step away from all that is scandalous and wrong in the world, and celebrate ordinary people, the vast majority of us, who take on a pet and enjoy its company for the rest of its life.

The dogs and cats which end up in a rescue centre may be lucky or unlucky. At this home, they are not put down but efforts are made to socialise them and find new owners. Older or infirm dogs may be there for several months. A one day old kitten is the focus of one tale. I found it pleasant that two tales are written by staff at the home who adopted pets. Some dogs went far away, one to a Channel Island and another to Denmark. The best tale perhaps is that of a collie who, paired with an energetic and dedicated woman, went on to be a search and rescue dog, saving lives.

Only faults are: a woman with an Australian cattle dog was told that it was a breed genetically prone to losing its eyesight, as hers had. She went looking for another one, hoping it would be a sighted companion for her first one. She could have ended up with two blind dogs.
A nice foreword is written by Paul O'Grady MBE. Never 'eard of 'im. I googled him and he is a Liverpool entertainer and musician. I felt some idea of who the man is and why he is suitable for this task would be a good start.

This book is written by Jo Wheeler (who is she? Google gives options including model and weather presenter) and there are charming colour photos in the centre, of the canine and feline subjects of the stories. Proceeds from this book's sales go to Battersea, and it seems the money will be well spent.
This is an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Sean Peters  (A Good Thriller).
823 reviews116 followers
March 7, 2025
In the heart-warming Lost and Found, discover tales from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home that celebrate the power of animals to transform people's lives.

We hear from the young boy whose Battersea dog helped him to deal with a serious autoimmune disease, and from a woman whose Staffie was the friend who got her through cancer.

We meet the couple who were brought together by a Battersea dog; the man who took on a three-legged kitten which changed his life; and the former Battersea hound who became a search and rescue dog.

Read these and many other powerful stories from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

A great read, so many heartbreaking and heartwarming stories, as an animal lover, who has four cats, and have great memories of all my cats, and the heartbreaking choices and decisions we have to make, I loved all these stories, told by the people themselves.

My wife would never forget watching Paul O'Grady at Battersea Dog and Cat Home, miss him very much.

Lost and Found has something for dog and cat lovers alike, and is perfect reading for fans of A Streetcat Named Bob and Paul O'Grady's For The Love Of Dogs.

Paul O'Grady does the introduction for this book.
Profile Image for Kirsty Farmer.
122 reviews
March 31, 2018
Love it! My dog Cleo was a resident of Battersea, but they moved her to the quiet life of East Sussex where our paths crossed. Lovely to read other people’s heart warming stories about how they found their partner in crime 😝
Profile Image for Richard Howard.
1,746 reviews10 followers
March 5, 2022
I love dogs. I have spent the last eight years looking after other people's when they go away on holidays. So I see all sorts, from the poshest pedigree pooch to the rescued pavement specials. The stories in this book are happy, sad but usually happy-sad, each showcasing how a rescue cat or dog has changed their human's lives. The stories are very effective and moving, as their telling accurately reflects the tellers: their voices are authentic.
I wish that people would stop buying designer dogs - the umpteen 'poo' breeds - or poor, overbred brachycephalic dogs from unscrupulous puppy mills and went to a shelter like Battersea instead. It's a scandal how so many of human's oldest friends are so horribly misserved.
Profile Image for Naomi Stock.
95 reviews4 followers
June 16, 2014
As a lifelong animal lover I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I 've been so engrossed in all the stories that I found it hard to put it down! The real-life tales of love and rescue are a much needed tonic. It's encouraging to know there are good people out there who are prepared to go that extra mile for a four-legged friend. A wonderfully hart-warming read.
Profile Image for Heather.
510 reviews8 followers
January 19, 2023
This is individual stories of cats and dogs that were rescued. I like the way it follows the story all the way through.

Among my favourites were the dog who helps a sick boy and the dog who travels to Sweden. Also liked the tales of rescues of older dogs.
Profile Image for Kath.
700 reviews13 followers
February 8, 2023
A warm hearted book for animal (mainly dog) lovers which also does a really good PR job for Battersea dogs and cats home. Really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Rachel Green.
85 reviews3 followers
August 9, 2014
A collection of heart warming stories about the unbreakable bond between us and our four-legged furry friends - I loved reading this book. A definite read for any dog and/or cat lover.
219 reviews
March 6, 2021
2.5 stars. What's the matter with me?! Why was I not smitten with these little stories of rescued dogs and cats, when so many others raved about them? It was like eating a poorly-seasoned meal; you keep tasting bite after bite, thinking "this has got to get better". The vignettes were written by the owners and usually included a whole lot more about their lives/interests/problems than about the animals themselves. It could have used a good edit, I think. But I had picked it up in a used book store in Inverness, carried it all the way home, and felt obligated to read it all. Very cute cover, though!
Profile Image for Gill James.
Author 92 books44 followers
April 27, 2020
This book probably won't appeal to everyone but it is excellent at being what it is. This is a collection of true stories about how animals from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have been rehomed. It is very well written and there are some delightful pictures in the middle of the book. it isn't sloppy or sentimental but tells it like it is. Even so, the anecdotes have upbeat endings even when a pet has had to be put down at the end of a happy life. Great that the royalties go towards supporting the Home.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,025 reviews43 followers
June 6, 2024
Sweet book of stories of adopted pets from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in UK. As a veterinarian, love a good story of pets finding forever homes. All my pets as an adult have been rescues and all have been special.
Profile Image for Kate Walker.
116 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2018
Great book. I miss my own cats and dogs lots. This book helped me to get over the missing of my own cats and dogs. I loved all the stories.
67 reviews
September 14, 2018
Borrowed this book, loved it. I did have an odd tear. But a good read.
219 reviews9 followers
January 23, 2019
Half a dozen tales of animals adopted from Battersea. Some are sad, some are funny but all tug at the heartstrings
Profile Image for Melanie.
516 reviews11 followers
February 12, 2019
A must read for dog and cat lovers. Easy to read tales of pets that find a home after being at Battersea.
Profile Image for Linda Fallows.
817 reviews4 followers
August 1, 2019
Heart warming stories. A lovely, cosy read for a winters day ( even though I read it in July😁).
20 reviews
November 13, 2020
Very cute warming stories for animal lovers. Can be quite emotional sometimes, but beautifully written and shows the amazing job that Battersea does.
Profile Image for Stacey Keeler.
35 reviews
May 31, 2022
Tear-jerking and heart-warming all rolled into one! Highly recommended it for anyone who has ever loved a pet!
Profile Image for Soph Downey.
72 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2023
Cute book about animals finding their forever homes. Some stories were way sadder than I thought they would be !!!

Would recommend to animal lovers !!
Profile Image for Shelley Graham.
3 reviews
July 24, 2025
Really loved the stories in this book bout the animals adopted from Battersea.
Profile Image for Pritthijit Datta.
Author 8 books1 follower
December 28, 2021
Dogs and cats are wonderful animals. They bring so much joy in life. Battersea is one of the oldest animal shelter charities in the UK. The book tell real life stories about how pets have transformed people lives. These people are so inspiring, as they have their own stories to share. They have been through torrid experiences. I was in tears reading the stories and I smiled as well. I love the connection between the animals and the humans. Battersea does a wonderful job in looking after dogs and cats who have been neglected and in distressed and re-home them to dedicated owners. Now I am pleased to announce that I am a pet owner to a beautiful Saluki dog Otis . He is having a positive impact in my life .I am neurodiverse person. He helps me heal my anxiety. I can strongly relate to the book.
Profile Image for Sam Herbert.
339 reviews6 followers
January 24, 2020
As a huge dog-lover, I just had to read this book. It's full of heartwarming stories about the dogs (and a few cats!) rehomed from Battersea. Some of the dogs become vital parts of their new families' lives: one becomes a search-and-rescue dog and another helps a sick child back into recovery. The other dogs in this book are equally as vital to their families' - bringing joy and happiness into their lives, as dogs do. A really sweet, well-written book that all dog and cat lovers will enjoy. Dogs rule!
Profile Image for Stefanie.
144 reviews7 followers
November 25, 2014
A book full of stories about dogs and cats being removed after a stay at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
It's amazing to read about the lurcher, who helps a boy get better, after he was struck with a horrible illness.
I also loved the last story, where a dog plays cupid.

All in all a nice book with stories for all animal lovers out there. I might not have been as emotional as some comments are about this book, but I still enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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