Stars of the past and present from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home will be enjoying their moment in the spotlight at the charity’s Annual Reunion on Sunday 4 September.

Now in its 17th year, the highlight in the Home’s calendar regularly attracts around 4,000 people to Battersea Park to celebrate the happy tales of the dogs who have found new owners thanks to the charity.

Families and their four-legged friends are invited along for the all day event which will include dog shows, competitions including the popular fancy dress contest, games for children and dogs and lots of stalls to browse.

For the first time the Annual Reunion will also host an advisory area for owners with dogs that suffer from canine osteoarthritis called ‘A Walk in the Park’.

‘A Walk in the Park’, a new website focusing on OA set to launch in September, will be on hand to give pet owners an opportunity to discuss the condition with veterinary professionals and learn how to implement a controlled care programme to encourage an effective management of canine osteoarthritis.

The event, sponsored by Churchill Pet Insurance, is open to all dog lovers to come down and enjoy the day. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home flagship site is also just around the corner where visitors are welcome to meet the cats and dogs currently looking for new owners.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home events manager Natalie Phillips said: “We’re all really looking forward to this year’s Annual Reunion. We really love seeing all our old friends come back to spend the day with us and it’s great to make some new friends too.

“It’s a great day of family fun and we hope lots of people will come down and get involved this year.”

The event is free and doors are open from 11.30am until 4.30pm. For more information log onto www.battersea.org.uk