CATS and dogs who were looked after by soldiers and had to be abandoned in Basra have been flown thousand of miles from the war torn country to be re-homed thanks to a Monmouthshire animal charity.

The whole operation has been co-ordinated by SWHP field officer, Emma Simpson who first heard of the plight of the animals through Facebook. She has worked tirelessly and has been in constant contact with Louise at Baghdad cat rescue.

The Blue cross have been collecting money for the cause and generous members of public raised more than £14,000.

Sandbag, Dirtbag, his son, Hesco the cat and Royal the Royal Navy Dog are flew into Heathrow on Thursday and are in quarantine for six months. The three dogs' lives were in imminent danger so they were taken to a safe house in Baghdad. Sandbag, Dirtbag and Royal were collected by an armoured team of British soldiers.

Siam Lloyd, from the SWHP said, "When they went to collect the dogs, they found them abandoned to the streets despite being assured by the US military that they would be taken care of until they could be collected. One of the dogs Royal, is a Royal Navy dog and has been in Basra for five years since a pup, her brother Jack was killed by Iraqis last week."

A US chief contacted Louise at Baghdad Cat Rescue to ask if the SWHP could help with taking Royal to a place of safety.

Sian added, "He said 'under general order one, the US are not allowed to have any animals and all animals will be destroyed, we feel for her safety and time is running out' Luckily for Royal, she has now been assured a happy ending and is safe with Sandbag and Dirtbag. This rescue was not without event and it was just as well that the animals were in an armoured troop carrier since they were shot at several times on the way back."

"Well done to Emma Simpson for initiating the whole rescue and all her hard work day and night over the last few months, to Louise of the Baghdad cat rescue centre who has been selfless in the work she has done to get this little group back to the UK safely, and to the Blue Cross who were able to facilitate the collection of donations from people who wanted to help these special animals."