Tribute to efforts of animals and staff in two World Wars

Special service to be held at London Memorial

11.11.11

RSPCA workers will take part in a special memorial gathering today - Friday, 11 November - in remembrance of the vital part played in both world wars by animals and our staff.

 

The roles of animals in the wars may be overshadowed by the human cost of the conflicts, but their contribution should not be forgotten. 

Hundreds of thousands of horses, mules, pigeons, dogs and other animals were lost. They carried supplies, ammunition, communications and even detected mines.

 

Even cats were valued by our servicemen and performed appreciated roles as rat-catchers, but also offering a therapeutic presence and a sense of security and calm to those in the trenches and at sea.

Horses on the frontline

At one point in the First World War there were reportedly over a million horses being used across all the battle fronts in a war of which they had no understanding.

Our charity was just 90 years old by the start of the First World War and had only one clinic and animal home in Islington, but with financial support from the War Office we built four complete hospitals.

Our staff enlisted in the Army Veterinary Corps (AVC) and successfully raised £250,000 (the equivalent of £12,747,500) for veterinary supplies to help alleviate the suffering of horses on the frontline. 

In total, over two-and-a-half million animals passed through the hospitals between 1914 and 1918, with two million of these being made healthy and made available for further service.  In France alone, the AVC treated 725,000 injured horses.

Rescuing animals stricken by war

During the Second World War our inspectors risked their lives carrying out animal rescues on British soil.

Entire streets would be evacuated due to bombing with stricken owners having to leave their animals and pets behind. The inspectors bravely entered the cordoned zones and at least 100,000 animals were saved.

Between 1939 and 1945, we rescued more than 256,000 animals and treated more than a million. By 1944 we had established 734 animal rescue centres to deal with the casualties and sick animals.

 

Paying tribute to efforts of animals and staff

Our staff, along with other animal charities, will gather at The Animals In War Memorial on the edge of Hyde Park, London, at 11am today (Friday, 11 November).

We will also be participating in the Cenotaph service on Sunday, 13 November.