Cats and dogs have been cherished on board ships for as long as people have made sea voyages.

In a life from which children and families are usually missing, and are often very much missed, pets provide a focus for emotions and affection.

Sydney photographer Sam Hood went on board countless ships between 1900 and the 1950s. He took hundreds of photographs of crew members for souvenirs of their visit or to send home to families.

This selection of photographs shows how much pets meant to many seafarers. We do not know who most of the people are – detailed records have not survived. But their attachment to their little shipmates is very apparent.

Cats and Dogs is a travelling exhibition curated by the Australian National Maritime Museum.