About The Blue Cross Animal Welfare Charity

The Blue Cross's overall purpose is to foster the bond of friendship between animals and people, and to educate the public in responsible pet ownership.

Today's Blue Cross plays a vital role in providing direct support to needy animals and their owners. The charity has 11 animal adoption centres, four animal hospitals and two equine centres across England.

The adoption centres care for, rehabilitate and re-home more than 7,000 animals each year and operate a rigorous re-homing policy to ensure that each animal is matched with a suitable owner. Even if an animal has been experiencing difficulties in a previous home, The Blue Cross's animal behaviour experts have the skill, patience and dedication to help insecure dogs and cats become happy, well-adjusted pets.

The Blue Cross also plays an important role in providing essential veterinary treatment for the pets of people who could otherwise not afford private fees - for example, people on income support, the elderly and disabled. The charity has four animal hospitals - in Victoria, Hammersmith and Merton in London, plus Grimsby in Yorkshire - that provide vital treatment for the pets of owners on a low income.

The Blue Cross has also given hundreds of horses, ponies and donkeys a second chance, thanks to its two equine rehabilitation centres in Burford, Oxfordshire and Northiam, East Sussex. Often these animals have been taken in because they were suffering from cruelty, neglect or behavioural problems. Through extensive rehabilitation and schooling programmes, dedicated Blue Cross staff have helped to find them experienced, long-term homes. Four Blue Cross horse ambulances support veterinary surgeons attending horse trials and events throughout the year.

While The Blue Cross is a lifeline for animals, it also helps many owners too. For people mourning the loss of a pet, the charity's pet bereavement helpline offers a confidential telephone support service on 0800 096 6606.

Our history

The purpose of The Blue Cross has remained the same since its inception in 1897, but the focus of its work has altered to meet the animal welfare needs of each generation.

In the early years, the welfare problems faced by the many working horses in London were of particular concern. During the Great War (1914-1918) The Blue Cross helped to relieve the suffering of the horses used at the front and during the Second World War (1939-1945) the charity provided refuge to animals made homeless by the Blitz.

In more recent times, the growing number of household pets has led to a greater emphasis on supporting their needs while continuing to care for the needs of horses.