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
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Home for Lost and Starving Dogs. The home moved to Battersea in 1871 opposite Battersea Park and has a view of the Battersea Power Station. During World War II, then manager Edward Healey-Tutt advised against people euthanising their pets because of fear of food shortages. Throughout the war Battersea fed and cared for over 145,000 dogs. In 2002, the name was changed from Battersea Dogs Home to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (cats were first admitted in 1883). To mark its 150th anniversary in 2010, the Royal Mail released a set of stamps featuring a series of dogs and cats