6. First Cat to Receive the Blue Cross Medal
This heartwarming story hails from the World War II era in London, where an extraordinary cat named Jim became a hero in 1942. At the age of 19, Jim demonstrated remarkable bravery when he rushed upstairs during a house fire to alert his owners, the Coffeys. Thanks to Jim’s quick thinking and prompt actions, the Coffey family was able to escape the flames safely.
Jim’s courageous act did not go unnoticed. The Blue Cross charity, a longstanding organization founded in London in 1897 and dedicated to animal welfare, recognized his bravery by awarding him the prestigious Blue Cross Award. This award honors acts of heroism by animals, and Jim became its recipient in 1942—two years after it was first given to a dog in 1940 for a similar act of courage.
Jim’s legacy lives on as a symbol of the incredible loyalty and bravery that animals can show, especially when it means saving the lives of their human companions.
