Animals in space rabbit to go into space. A 19 September 1959 launch, Jupiter AM-23, carried 2 frogs along with 12 mice but the rocket was destroyed during launch. On 19 August 1960 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 5 (also known as Korabl-Sputnik 2) which carried the dogs Belka and Strelka, along with a gray rabbit, 40 mice, 2 rats, and 15 flasks of fruit flies and plants. It was the first spacecraft to carry animals into orbit and return them alive. One of Strelka's pups, Pushinka, bred and born after her mission, was given as a present to Caroline Kennedy by Nikita
Manchester and Cheshire Dogs' Home address. The animals without were to be sent to the dogs’ home. The shelter initially housed accommodation for over 150 dogs and at peak times more than 100 animals could be brought in each week. Stray dogs were only kept for one week, and if no one claimed them, they would be painlessly destroyed. Those of a better breed would be kept for longer in the hope they would be rehomed. In 1999 the charity purchased a former rundown boarding kennels in and regenerated the site. The kennels became the flagship of the two shelters and a Centre of Excellence.