As more than a million Ukrainians escape their homeland, many refuse to go without their pets. Photos of humans and their animals trying perilous border crossings or huddling in bomb shelters and subway stations have shown up all over social media.
Most bordering nations, according to recent reports, allow Ukrainians to carry their dogs across borders without veterinary papers. However, many animals in Ukraine still require food, medicine, and care. In the face of missile attacks, heroic volunteers and zoo and shelter employees are remaining behind to care for these creatures.
Ukrainians fleeing with their pets
pic.twitter.com/hdTSPQAcNh
— Deborah Von Brod (@DeborahVonBrod) February 24, 2022
Rishabh Kaushik, a student at Kharkiv National University, refused to leave his rescue dog behind to join his family in India. “I made the decision then that if my dog couldn’t go, neither could I,” Kaushik said to The Times of India. I understand that keeping on is risky, but I can’t just abandon him. If I go, who will look after him?”
In times of crisis, it’s difficult not to feel powerless, but there are methods to assist Ukrainian pets and their families, as well as shelter animals with nowhere else to go. Here are a few groups that need your aid to help Ukraine’s animals:
In and around Solca, Romania, this charity often rescues, treats, and rehomes abandoned dogs and cats. They have, nevertheless, been offering assistance, care, and shelter to Ukrainian refugees and their dogs since the beginning of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, as well as bringing supplies to Ukrainian shelters in need. You can assist Saved By A Vet by making a one-time PayPal payment or contributing to their Amazon wishlist.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has been assisting partner shelters in Donetsk and Gorlovka with funding for pet food, veterinary supplies, and staff salary. They also contributed $50,000 to World Central Kitchen (WCK), an organization that provides hot meals to Ukrainian refugees in Poland and five Ukrainian towns, including Odessa and Lviv. You may donate to IFAW by clicking here.