Effortlessly stylish: Amanda Holden steals the spotlight in strapless blue mermaid gown as she attends Battersea Dogs & Cats Home gala

It's a difficult event to dress up for, a charity gala where you'll be surrounded by puppies and cats.
But Amanda Holden managed to cut yet another sartorial figure as she attended the Collars and Coats Ball in honour of the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
The blue strapless dress with mermaid cut was a winner on the red carpet, and even the TV presenters furry friends seemed to agree.

Showing them how it's done: Amanda Holden gives a lesson in red carpet glamour as she attends fundraising gala for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

The 41-year-old beauty beamed as she posed with a small poodle on the carpet, despite the fact that the dog seemed a little more camera shy.
The star-studded event was also attended by fellow animal lovers Rebecca Adlington, Anthony Head and Made In Chelsea stars Francesca Hull, Ollie Locke and Rosie Fortescue.
Other famous guests included Gary and Danielle Lineker, Tamara Ecclestone, Jamelia and Julien Macdonald.

Nice puppy! The TV star cuddles up to a shy little poodle on the red carpet

Front and back: Amanda beams in the sophisticated frock that showed off her toned figure

The evening aimed to raise money for Battersea home for cats and dogs, and all attending celebrities tried their best to make that happen.
Meanwhile, Amanda Holden did her best to resist the furry party guests, as she made a promise to her family.
'My husband said he'd divorce me if I came home with a dog but I am tempted,' she told MailOnline.

New BFFs: The 41-year-old beauty seemed smitten with one of the puppies she came across at the ball

Don't take me home: Amanda joked her husband threatened to divorce her if she brought back a puppy from the event

Who let the dogs out? Amanda cuddled up to another tiny dog as she event was also attended by Tamara Ecclestone, Danielle Lineker and Jamelia

Speaking of combining her love of dogs with her love of clothes, Tamara told MailOnline: 'I have two chihuahaus called Frankie and Duke, but they hate when I try to make them wear clothes.'
'My sister only has big dogs and it's hard to get a Rottweiler into anything.'
Talking about animal get-ups, the star said: 'I see lots of sequins in doggy style for 2013.'
'I shouldn't say this but my sister always says I have the characteristics of a bulldog because I'm lazy and stubborn. If I were a bulldog I'd wear something Union Jack.'

The perfect accessory: The TV presenter seemed happy to be posing with one of the many cute puppies in attendance at the charity bash