These pictures show some of the bravest pets who have survived after coming close to death in the past year.

And now veterinary charity PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) is calling for pet owners to nominate animals in Redbridge who have overcome harrowing injuries to enter an annual competition.

Elaine Pendlebury, a senior veterinary surgeon at Ilford Pet Aid Hospital in Woodford Bridge Road, Redbridge, said: “We are seeking owners who feel their pet has survived life-threatening injuries.

“Some pets don’t have that and they might not recover but the ones that have the inspiration to carry on.”

Miss Pendlebury has been a vet for more than 30 years and seen her fair share of moving stories.

Her own cat, Charlie, was found by a nurse behind the hospital with a broken leg.

“The bone was sticking out,” she said. “He put up with everything and had to have a lot of treatment and he was so good when I took him home.”

Last year’s winner of the PDSA Pet Survivor award was a kitten called Robbie.

At six months old, he was living on the streets and found shelter in an old sofa which was set alight.

His injuries were so severe that he needed a skin graft.But after six months of veterinary treatment, he pulled through and was re-homed to a loving family.

The PDSA animal cemetery, which dates back to the 1920s, is also at the hospital.

This is the final resting place for 12 recipients of the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent to the Victoria Cross, which was awarded to brave animals in the Second World War.

The deadline for entries is November 22. Visit pdsa.org.uk/petsurvivor.