OUR ANIMAL ALLIES

World War Two may have been a conflict between the human species, but wartime hardships such as rationing, finding shelter and even evacuation were all shared by Britain’s domestic animals

They are faithful friends who stick with us through thick and thin, offering joy and companionship. And when World War Two broke out, animals took on a new role as furry, fourlegged morale-boosters – and more.

But pets struggled along with their owners, too. Quickly, it was realised that the deliberate targeting of urban areas would inevitably lead to the destruction of homes, putting people at risk of injury and death. While preparations had been made for the mass transfer of humans from target areas, there were no such official measures for the millions of domestic animals.

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