Katherine Ward, better known as Camberley Kate, rescued several hundred stray dogs in England during their lifetime. From a famous lame greyhound onwards, she cared for more than 600 dogs in need, and in doing so became an iconic figure of the town of Camberley.

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Camberley Kate moved to the vicinity of Camberley in 1943, and already in the very first days after their arrival helped a lame greyhound, who lived with them for eight and a half years. This story set them on the path of rescuing animals in need. Day after day, Kate walked the streets with their wooden cart bearing the sign “Ward Stray Dogs” (Patronage of Stray Dogs), transporting sick and elderly dogs, while also finding homes for other animals. They devoted their entire life to serving animals; even in old age they continued to care for their companions and, what is more, founded a trust to ensure the animals’ long-term wellbeing. The BBC and other media referred to them as a “benevolent eccentric”, while the European director of the Animals & Society Institute called their work one of the heroes of animal protection.

Katherine stated the following in 1960:

I was a Yorkshire woman, living down in the South. I was pretty lonely. Living on the main road I saw so many dogs tied up, and so many run over. [...] So I just dedicated my life to them.

They also expressed their religious commitment, according to which they regarded animals as God’s property, and saw themself merely as their carer. By 1975 they had taken in 500 dogs, and over the course of their life cared for more than 600 furry companions in total.

Even in old age they did not abandon the four-legged ones

By the age of 80 their health had deteriorated; by then they had already survived multiple strokes, so they moved into a nearby residential home. At that time they still had seven dogs, whom they did not leave without care even during illness and old age. They set up a trust fund to ensure that their companions would be properly cared for after their death. After they passed away, a memorial plaque was placed in the town of Camberley in their honour. Although Kate preferred the company of animals, whenever they had the opportunity they also helped poor and ill people, even with modest financial means.

Kate overturned the stereotype of the animal-loving misanthrope! They were a good person in every respect,

-they summed them up.

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