Kittens at Battersea predict sex of royal baby

It's a boy! Battersea kittens confident in their predictions of royal baby's sex

It's the boys versus the girls at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home – battle lines have been drawn and litters divided over the sex of the royal baby – as kittens at the world famous charity eagerly await the new addition to the royal family.

'Will it be a boy or a girl?' is the question everyone is asking and according to Battersea's kittens, the boys have it by a whisker. Sixty percent of new arrivals at Battersea's London Cattery this year have been male, making it a 'sure thing' that William and Kate's new arrival will be bundled up in blue.

The Duchess of Cambridge is due to give birth during 'kitten season' when Battersea's Cattery transforms into its very own Lindo Wing. The centre is inundated with kittens and pregnant mothers around this time due to the warmer weather. Six recently abandoned kittens at Battersea have been playing the long odds, so staff at the rescue have called them Chardonnay, Olympia, Joffrey, Winston, Romeo and Boris – the bookies outsider names for the royal baby.

Head of Cattery, Lindsey Quinlan, says: "We've had a long association with the Royal family and excitement is building here at Battersea about the second royal baby. We can't wait to find out if her baby will be a boy or a girl – our kittens are certainly waiting for their own royal seal of approval. We care for hundreds of kittens, especially over the warmer months, so it will be nice to celebrate the birth with our own new arrivals."

Battersea has always been close to royalty with Queen Victoria as its first Royal Patron, and its current Patron HM The Queen opening the rescue centre's new kennels in March 2015.

-Ends-

Photo credit: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

For more information and images please contact 020 7627 9291 or email press@battersea.org.uk

Notes to editors

• Established in 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home aims never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help, caring for them until their owners or loving new homes can be found, no matter how long it takes. We are champions for, and supporters of, vulnerable dogs and cats, determined to create lasting changes for animals in our society.
• Since it was founded, Battersea has rescued, reunited and rehomed over 3.1 million dogs and cats.
• In 2014 the Home cared for over 8000 dogs and cats.
• Battersea cares for an average of 300 dogs and 220 cats across its three centres at any one time.
• There is no time limit on how long an animal can stay at the charity but the average stay for a dog is 36 days and 27 days for a cat.
• In 2014 37% of dogs and 39% of cats arrived as strays.
• A team of over 1000 volunteers help at Battersea's three centres, in roles including dog and cat socialising, gardening, admin support and giving talks in the community.
• 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.
• Battersea Dogs & Cats Home receives no central government funding towards the care of its dogs and cats 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.
• For further information on Battersea Dogs & Cats Home please visit www.battersea.org.uk.
• Follow Battersea on Twitter @BDCH or facebook.com/Battersea