Remembering animals in war around the world

Many people may not know that during wartime, cats served as companions and kept ships free of vermin. In addition to the contributions of cats, mules carried artillery, horses transported troops and hauled field guns, pigeons delivered crucial messages and dogs have served as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors and search and rescue workers.   

Leading up to Remembrance Day, we want to honour both the veterans and the animals who bravely served by their sides. Around the world, countries celebrate these brave animals differently.  

UNITED KINGDOM  

Instituted in 1943 by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) founder, Maria Dickin, the PDSA Dickin Medal for Gallantry is the highest award any animal can receive whilst serving in war. It acknowledges their outstanding acts of bravery and devotion. Since 1943, the medal has been awarded to 37 dogs, 32 pigeons, 4 horses and 1 cat.  

The purple poppy was also first issued in the UK in 2006 by Animal Aid. The poppy replicates the traditional red poppy and they are intended to be worn side by side, to remember the animals who fought alongside humans.  

The first national memorial dedicated to the millions of animals lost during The Great War was the War Horse Memorial in Ascot, England in 2018. The large bronze horse stands on a three-metre-high stone and signifies the ultimate sacrifice made for our freedom and democracy.  

UNITED STATES  

The Pledge Monument at the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC was unveiled in 2020. The monument pays tribute to the sacrifices women and animals have both made in war, honouring their contributions. 

FRANCE 

The Monument Aux Pigeons Voyageurs in Lille, France commemorates the 20,000 pigeons killed in the war. The memorial was unveiled in 1936. 

AUSTRALIA 

The National Day for War Animals is on February 24 in Australia. On this day, they recognize the important roles that animals have and continue to play in war. 

In 2013, the Australian War Animal Memorial Organization brought the purple poppy, originally introduced in the UK, to Australia.  

SCOTLAND 

Purple wreaths were launched in 2020 in Scotland to remember animals in war. A poppy factory in Edinburgh began making the wreaths knowing the purple poppy commemorates animals who served in wartime.  

CANADA  

In downtown Ottawa, the Animals in War Dedication is a statue of Gander the dog honouring animals who served during wartime. It is set next to the South African War Memorial, a battle in which Canada supplied 50,000 horses for mounted troops.  

Animals in War commemorative pins
  

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s first commemorative Animals in War pin was launched in 2017, with the current collection including a dog, a pigeon and a cat. This is the last year to purchase these pins. 

Funds from the sale of the pin help provide care for animals in need, and $1 from each pin sold is donated to Royal Canadian Legion branches in our animal centre communities to support our veterans. To order your pin, visit ontariospca.ca/Remember or call 1-888-668-7722 ext. 360.   

No matter where you are in the world, we encourage you to take a moment to remember all the animals who have served, and continue to serve, alongside our veterans this Remembrance Day.