A woman who helped process rescued dogs and cats flown from Afghanistan said they were “in amazing condition”.
Some 150 animals from former Royal Marine Paul “Pen” Farthing’s shelter in Kabul arrived at Heathrow Airport on a private charter flight on Sunday.
Lorraine Edwards transported them to quarantine kennels and expected most to be adopted by former military staff.
She said they flew in an aircraft’s hold and did not occupy any space that could have been used by humans.
Mr Farthing, from Dovercourt in Essex, set up the Nowzad animal shelter in the Afghan capital, rescuing dogs, cats and donkeys, after serving in the country in the mid-2000s.
Ms Edwards runs a dog rescue centre in Hertford and has helped transport the Nowzad animals to a quarantine site elsewhere in the UK.
“These animals were rescued from the street and offered the precious gift of companionship and comfort to our soldiers,” she said.
“Despite the long journey, they are in amazing condition and, after four months of quarantine, they will be given the wonderful new homes they deserve.”