The Russians sent Laika the dog into space, but the French space program sent Félicette, a Parisian street cat. (Her name meant happy or lucky.) Poor Laika died early in the mission, but Félicette returned safely to Earth. However she was misnamed because she was then euthanized in order to study the effects of microgravity.
Animals sent into space are sometimes described as "brave" and "having sacrificed". But make no mistake - they didn't sacrifice, they were sacrificed.