Watch: This unlikely friendship between a dog and a kitten is the cuteness you deserve right now

A fully-grown dog has struck up an unlikely friendship with a five-week-old kitten at an animal shelter.

Barney the labrador has decided he is top dog when it comes to kittensitting little Ava – and it’s a sight to behold.

Barney was dropped off by owners who could no longer care for him at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s London centre in 2014 – where head nurse Rachel Ab’dee fell in love with him and adopted him.

“Barney adores Ava and can’t wait to come into Battersea every morning so he can see her,” said Ab’dee.

“It’s great for Ava, too, because she doesn’t have a mother or brothers or sisters, so Barney has become her best friend and favourite playmate.

“It’s wonderful to see them so happy together and to know that their most difficult days are behind them.”