From humble origins as a stray dog in the tough streets of Moscow, Laika became one of the first animals to go into outer space and the first to orbit Earth, when selected to join the cosmonauts in the Soviet space craft Sputnik 2, on November 3rd, 1957.
Although the mission ultimately proved fatal for Laika, her participation contributed greatly to early research into space. Today, her legacy lives on in space history and popular culture.
We salute and commemorate Laika through a charitable program that helps dogs enjoy a better life with dignity and health.