The dog friendly 2 day event, which was held in partnership with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, attracted huge interest in both the Bank as well as the opportunity to adopt one of the wonderful dogs from Battersea. Metro Bank opened 204 new accounts of which 74 were customers who had brought their dog (and a couple of cats) in with them to enjoy the party atmosphere.
Two pieces of history were made, firstly Metro Bank became the first high street bank in over 150 years to hold a dog friendly event and secondly for the first time in 150 years a homeless dog has found a loving new home through a bank. Gromit, a two year old Mongrel, was one of the 15 Battersea dogs to take part in the UK’s first doggie adopt-a-thon event in the canine-friendly Metro Bank, as part of the Dogs Rule Weekend. He was spotted by Maria and Simon Archer of Kings Langley, Hertfordshire who attended the event to find a new companion.
The Metro Bank rehoming event, gave dog lovers the opportunity to speak with a Battersea Rehomer about what kind of dog would suit them best. Philip Heron from Battersea commented: “Rehoming dogs at a high street bank is certainly a first in this country, so Battersea is thrilled that the initiative was so successful and led to several dogs like Gromit getting a second chance in life. It’s great to see our dogs outside of the kennel environment interacting with Metro Bank customers and finding a new home at the same time.”
The two day event held across all 6 of the Banks Stores was part of Metro Bank’s plans to bring more dog-friendly services to our high streets. Metro Bank encouraged customers to bring their dogs and cats and those who did were rewarded with £20 for opening a new account. Paul Marriott-Clarke, Managing Director Retail at Metro Bank said: “Our bank offers the highest level of customer service and we love the fact that our customers can bring their four-legged friends into our stores. This weekend’s been a resounding success and it’s great to be able to help Battersea find homes for its dogs. We definitely want to repeat this across all of our banks.”
Over the weekend 30 rehoming applications were made by members of the public to adopt a Battersea dog. Visitors were also able to bring their own dogs along for a fun day out including “doggie paw reading”, a doggie disco and face painting.
Notes to editors About Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
- Established in 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home aims never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help. We reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners through our Lost Dogs & Cats Line or care for them until new homes can be found for them, giving them shelter and the highest standards of kennelling and veterinary care.
- Since it was founded, Battersea has rescued, reunited and rehabilitated over 3.1 million dogs and cats.
- In 2010 the Home cared for almost 7,000 dogs and 3,000 cats.
- Battersea operates an open intake policy and aims never to turn away a dog or cat in need of its help, regardless of its breed, temperament or medical history.
- It costs over £13 million to run Battersea Dogs & Cats Home each year.
- Battersea Dogs & Cats Home receives no government funding and relies on the generosity and support of the public to help care for lost and abandoned dogs & cats. To make a donation visit our website or call 0870 890 0000.
- In addition to the site in South West London, the Home also has two other centres based at Old Windsor, Berkshire and Brands Hatch, Kent.
- Battersea Dogs & Cats Home rehomes dogs and cats all over the UK.
- For further information on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home please visit www.battersea.org.uk.