Here is the English translation without altering the HTML formatting:
```html
Laika was a Soviet space dog and one of the first animals to travel into space, as well as the first animal to orbit the Earth. Laika, a stray dog from the streets of Moscow, was chosen as a crew member for the Soviet Sputnik 2 spacecraft and was launched into outer space on November 3, 1957.
Laika served as the mascot for the program, aimed at honoring all the animals used in research and testing, and to make people aware of the sacrifices these animals made for humanity.
```