Commemorating animals in war

To mark Remembrance Sunday we will be hosting a free educational workshop to explore the remarkable contributions made and being made by animals in war. The workshop, held in conjunction with PetFocus magazine, will feature short films and informative displays showing the role of animals in conflict from World War One through to the present day.

Commemorative pet collars, leads, tags and poppies will available to purchase at the event, with all proceeds going to the Royal British Legion. There will also be fun activities for children, as well as wartime music and costumes to set the scene of 1940s Britain.

Many millions of animals have served and died under British military command throughout history. Horses, mules, donkeys and camels have carried food, ammunition, water and medical supplies to men at the front. Pigeons have been used to carry messages and canaries have been used to detect poisonous gases.

Dogs and cats have also been invaluable to the British military throughout history- from hunting rats in the trenches to raising morale and providing comfort amidst the hardships of war.

Today, dogs are still an invaluable aid to ground troops and perform many of the same functions as they did during the First World War, saving countless lives and providing the hope, comfort and sense of normality so desperately craved by soldiers in the line of duty.

The Animals in War workshop forms part of Ipswich Veterinary Centre’s open day on Sunday 8th November from 11am to 4pm. This special event provides an opportunity for the public to look behind the scenes of the state-of-the-art veterinary hospital and meet the teams that provide 24-hour healthcare for pets, horses and farm animals.

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