In addition to remembering the men and women who served our country this Remembrance Day, we remember the many animals who sacrificed so much for our freedom. Once such animal was Gander, who was given to the Royal Rifles of Canada by his family. Gander, along with the Royal Rifles, was sent to Hong Kong in December 1941, where he heroically picked up and ran with a grenade toward the enemy, protecting multiple soldiers from the blast. After the war, Sergeant Gander was commemorated with the Dickin Medal, known as the "Victoria Cross for animals", and is listed on the Hong Kong Veterans Memorial in Ottawa.
You can honour animal veterans like Gander by wearing a purple poppy alongside your traditional red one.
Please note the shelter will be closed on Saturday November 11 in honour of Remembrance Day.
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