In new movie Dolittle, which hits cinema screens across the UK today, Tom Holland voices the character of Jip the dog. To get into character fully, Tom jumped at the chance to talk to the animals at Battersea when he paid a recent visit to the iconic London centre.
One-by-one, Battersea dogs diligently delivered questions to the actor during an adorable interview. Among the shock revelations that the intrepid animal investigators managed to unveil, Tom confessed that once the mask comes off, curling up with a canine companion is the only thing he’s interested in.
Tom revealed, “Spider-Man doesn’t really need a sidekick when it comes to fighting crime, but maybe on a sad, lonely night after fighting crime, he could use a cuddle.”
Luckily for Tom, he has already found his true love in Tessa, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who his family welcomed into their home as a puppy.
Tom says, “If I was a dog for a day, I’d probably hang out with my dog, Tess, so we could communicate, and I’d find out if she loves me more than she loves my dad. Unfortunately, I think I already know the answer to that.”
While a room full of tennis balls, treats and tummy tickles meant the dogs certainly won’t be winning any Pulitzer prizes for journalism anytime soon, there was a serious side to Tom’s visit to Battersea.
Every year, 250,000 animals are brought to rescue centres around the UK for all kinds of reasons.[i] Most are much loved pets that through no fault of their own find themselves without a home. They may be an odd mix of breeds, they may not look perfect, but they have so much to give.
Tom says, “I’d say to anyone looking to rehome a dog, don’t base your decision on looks. Look at your lifestyle – where you live, how active you are – and decide what kind of dog you’d like based on this rather than whether it’s got pretty blue eyes or something. All dogs are cute in their own way.”
Sadly, Battersea has seen a notable reduction in rehoming over recent years as more people search online for fashionable breeds and are influenced by what they see on social media. The charity has launched its new campaign, Rescue is Our Favourite Breed, to celebrate the unique qualities of rescue dogs and cats and is encouraging animal lovers to think ‘rescue first’ when it comes to finding their new pet, even if it may mean waiting a little longer to find the perfect match.
Tom says, “I’m a huge dog lover and I just think that every dog deserves a second chance regardless of where they’ve come from or what they’ve been through. I love coming here [to Battersea] and seeing the happy dogs and the amazing things that everyone here does.”
Visit battersea.org.uk or follow #RescueIsMyFavouriteBreed on social media to join the movement.
ENDS
- Battersea is here for every dog and cat and has been since 1860. Since it was founded 160 years ago, Battersea has rescued, reunited and rehomed over 3.1 million dogs and cats.
- Battersea helps nearly 7,000 dogs and cats across its three centres and uses its expertise, influence, and voice to help thousands more animals all over the country and across the world.
- According to the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH), 250,000 animals are brought to rescue centres around the UK every year.
- Battersea cares for an average of 250 dogs and 120 cats across its three centres at any one time.
- In addition to the site in South West London, Battersea also has two other centres based at Old Windsor, Berkshire and Brands Hatch, Kent.
- For further information on Battersea, please visit www.battersea.org.uk
- Follow Battersea on Twitter @battersea_ or facebook.com/Battersea
- The Brothers Trust (@thebrotherstrust) was set up in 2017 by Nikki and Dom Holland, parents to Tom, Sam, Harry and Paddy – the ‘brothers’.
- All profits generated from The Brothers Trust beaded dog collars, handmade by the Masai ladies of Kenya, go towards feeding orphaned and vulnerable children in Nairobi.
