Battersea hosts Christmas grotto for dogs at annual Santa Paws event

A Santa’s grotto with a difference welcomed more than 130 Christmas canines over the weekend at Old Windsor’s Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Owners accompanied their waggy-tailed friends to the shelter, which was decked out with Yuletide decorations, to meet the jolly man himself at the home’s annual Santa Paws event.

This year’s festivities were extended to two days due to the popularity of previous events, with Father Christmas in residence on Saturday and Sunday to have his photo snapped with the excited pooches.

Not to be left out, owners were also supplied with tea and cake among the tinsel at the Christmas dining themed day.

Battersea Old Windsor rehoming and welfare manager Sean Welland said: "Santa Paws was once again a huge success this year and we want to thank everyone who came along with their four-legged companions.

“Dogs are such important family members, so it's no surprise that their owners want to include them in their annual Christmas photos!

“We hope everyone who came along now has the perfect canine Christmas card picture to send to their friends and relatives."