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At the beginning of World War II, a government pamphlet led to a massive cull of British pets. As many as 750,000 British pets were killed in just one week. This little-discussed moment of panic is explored in a new book.

The cull came as the result of a public information campaign that caused an extraordinary reaction among anxious Britons.

In the summer of 1939 just before the outbreak of war, the National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC) was formed. They drafted a notice - Advice to Animal Owners.

The pamphlet said: "If at all possible, send or take your household animals into the country in advance of an emergency." It concluded: "If you cannot place them in the care of neighbours, it really is kindest to have them destroyed." ...

Animals abandoned in bins during summer holidays

Pets have been found dumped in bins, boxes and even a cemetery in the run-up to the summer holidays as owners choose to abandon them rather than pay for their care while they are away, a charity has said.

Fozzer wrote:I wish my neighbours would take that advice as their mangy Moggies, and yapping Dogs, crap on my garden lawns... ...!

Paul.... ...1

We got shipped off to the countryside in 1939 to escape from the Hun Bombing in London!
(I don't remember any Cats coming with us, though!)... ...!

Hagar wrote:C'est la guerre. Much worse things happen in wartime.

Meanwhile, this is happening in 2013. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10142829/Animals-abandoned-in-bins-during-summer-holidays.html

Animals abandoned in bins during summer holidays

Pets have been found dumped in bins, boxes and even a cemetery in the run-up to the summer holidays as owners choose to abandon them rather than pay for their care while they are away, a charity has said.