From wartime heroes to feline firefighters, throughout history animals have displayed incredible strength and bravery. Read on to discover the tales of the most heroic pets of modern times.

Stubby the Dog

Stray dog Stubby found his way into an area near Yale University where the 102nd infantry, Yankee Division, was training for World War I. Private J. Robert Conroy found the puppy there in 1917 and named him Stubby on account of his short tail. Conroy smuggled Stubby aboard a ship to France, where was allowed to join the soldiers on the front lines. Having developed a sensitivity to the smell of gas, he was able to save the soldiers as they slept through gas attacks. He even thwarted a German soldier’s attempts to map out the layout of Allied trenches by biting him on the leg and subduing him until U.S. soldiers arrived. By the end of the war, Stubby had served in 17 battles and had developed a knack for locating his wounded comrades.

Simon the Cat

Aboard a British Royal Navy ship sailing down China’s Yangtze River, Simon the Cat – a long-time favourite of the sailors on the H.M.S. Amethyst – was hit by shrapnel as a result of an attack by Chinese Communist forces. Simon was injured in the leg and back, and his whiskers were singed off. However, Simon recuperated enough to wipe out a massive rodent infestation on board the ship, eventually taking down an enormous rat the sailors named Mao Tse Tung. Later, his exploits became known around the world.

Trakr the Dog

Trakr had retired as a police dog in May 2001 before he and his trainer, Canadian police officer James Symington, drove 15 hours to help recovery efforts in New York City following the Sept. 11 attacks. Trakr was credited with locating the last survivor found beneath the rubble. Before Trakr died in April 2009, his DNA was entered into a cloning contest by Symington and was later chosen for use. In June of that year, five cloned Trakrs were born.

Scarlett the Cat

Homeless New York feline Scarlett had been staying with her 4-week-old kittens in a garage that had been damaged in several fires. The shelter again went ablaze and one firefighter arrived on the scene to find Scarlett amidst her brood, terribly burned from having carried them out one by one. The story quickly hit the tabloids and more than 1,000 offers to adopt the entire family rolled into the shelter where Scarlett was staying. She eventually found a happy home with a local woman.

Togo the Sled Dog

In 1925, diphtheria broke out in the isolated Alaskan village of Nome. Multiple sled dog teams were required to carry the medicine across the treacherous frozen land – Togo the Sled Dog embarked on a perilous journey where he saved his team and driver in a courageous swim through ice floes.

Here at Bay Vets, we understand how important it is to ensure that your furry friend is happy, healthy and has a reliable veterinary surgery to visit when professional care is required. From kitten check ups to animal vaccinations, we’ve got you covered. Contact us by either emailing us at emailing info@bayvets.co.uk or by registering your pet online today.