Ten Downing Street, office of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has replied to our request for recognition of the first International War Animal Day which is due to take place later this month on Saturday, February 24.

Animal and service organisations in six countries have come together to seek long overdue recognition for the part that animals have played in wars and conflict.

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.

The War Horse Memorial is leading the way for the UK. We asked the Prime Minister to help us as we commemorate the loss of so many animals, including horses, mules, donkeys, dogs, cats and pigeons and launch our 2024 Animal Purple Poppy Fund. New pin badges for humans and knitted poppies for beloved pets now available from our shop. Work pressures prevent him getting involved personally, but as the letter from Downing Street confirms, he is sending his best wishes for a successful inaugural day.

We are launching the Animal Purple Poppy Fund 2024 at the Cotswold Wildlife Park, in Burford, Oxfordshire, on Tuesday, February 20 at 12 noon, when the camels, lions, horses, donkeys, a new-born rhino called Susie, and George, an 88-year-old giant tortoise, will be wearing giant knitted purple poppies to show their support.

The focus of remembrance will then 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 know that Patrick the celebrity and therapy pony will be in Torquay with local MP, Kevin Foster, town dignitaries and others; the Donkey Breed Society will be staging events across the country; in Cuckfield in mid Sussex the parish council have agreed to fly our flag on the Queen’s Hall, and in Little London, in Hampshire the village will be united in support around Arthur the war horse silhouette outside The Plough Inn.

We hope many other animal lovers will join us in this simple act of remembrance. Please send your photos so we can share, to susan@thewarhorsememorial.org