The medal can also be awarded to animals in public service, such as police or rescue dogs, if the animal dies or suffers serious injury while carrying out its official duties in the face of armed and violent opposition.

[4] The first ceremony, in November 2002, saw the Gold medal awarded to three dogs, including Endal, an assistance dog whose actions helped to save the life of his disabled owner.

[5] As of September 2023[update], the PDSA Gold Medal has been awarded to 31 different animals.

All recipients were dogs until 2020, when a mine-sniffing African giant pouched rat named Magawa received the prize.

Non-British recipients include Bamse, who was Norwegian,[6] George and Gage, both from New Zealand,[7][8] Ajax, who was Spanish,[9] and Magawa, who was Tanzanian.