Countdown begins as animal and service organisations in six countries come together to seek overdue recognition for the part that animals have played in wars and conflict.

The inaugural International War Animal Day is to be held on Saturday, February 24. Across Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, the UK and France, flags will be flown, knitted poppy wreaths laid and purple candles lit at 11am local time to remember the sacrifice of tens of millions of animals who served – and continue to serve - alongside soldiers to give us the freedom we all enjoy today.

We at The War Horse Memorial are leading the way in the UK with events planned in Devon, Mid Sussex, Hampshire and by the Donkey Breed Society whose members have events organised across the country. At the Cotswold Wildlife Park, in Burford, Oxfordshire, on Tuesday, February 20, camels, lions, horses, donkeys, a new-born rhino called Susie, and Darwin, a 100-year-old giant turtle, will be wearing giant knitted purple poppies to show their support.

Then, the focus of remembrance will turn to Ascot, Berkshire, home of Poppy our War Horse, a national memorial dedicated to the millions of UK, Commonwealth and Allied horses, mules and donkeys lost during the Great War. At 11am on Saturday, February 24 we will lay our wreath, fly our flag and light a candle. We hope many other animal lovers will join is in this simple act of remembrance.

Our aim now is to get politicians to acknowledge February 24 as the day we all come together, to reflect on the many ways that animals have played their part. Dozens of animal charities and horse sanctuaries are already on board and we expect interest from all corners of the UK. We have written to HM The King and to Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, seeking their support. Both are animal lovers and dog owners. We hope they will see that they have it in the power to make the difference.

For example, over 16 million animals served in the First World War. They were used for transport, communication and companionship. Horse and camel-mounted troops were used in the desert campaigns throughout the conflict. Horses, donkeys, mules and camels carried food, water, ammunition and medical supplies to soldiers at the Front. Dogs and pigeons carried messages. Canaries were used to detect poisonous gas and cats and dogs were trained to hunt rats in the trenches. They were taken from their farms, homes and from the streets to fuel the War effort. Few returned.

Alan Carr MBE, co-founder of The War Horse Memorial, believes that Britain, as an animal loving nation, will want to get involved. He says: “It starts with simple remembrance. The flying of the International War Animal Day flag, the laying of a wreath of knitted purple poppies or just the lighting of a candle, but we believe that, in time, it will be so much more.

“The purple poppy is the symbol we all recognise as a tribute to animals in war. In the UK we are using this special day to launch our 2024 Animal Purple Poppy Fund with new pin badges for humans and knitted poppies for beloved pets, now available from our shop.

For more information, please contact Susan Osborne, Director of Communications and Co-Founder of The War Horse Memorial, at susan@thewarhorsememorial.org