Koda’s Mission: Save the Animals of Ukraine

Hey, I’m Yannick. I’m the founder of Koda’s Mission. We are a non-profit organization that runs a small animal shelter and rescue based in Yavoriv, Ukraine. My team and I are raising funds to continue our live-saving work here in Ukraine.

As the war began, I decided to take action and make my way to Ukraine. By 5th of March 2022, I arrived at the polish border with a van full of aid gathered in my hometown of Hamburg. Within days of my arrival in Ukraine, I realized that organizations rescuing and transporting animals out of the war zones were not coping. By the time the transports were reaching the border, animals were exhausted. Many were becoming sick, or even dying.

That’s how the idea to create a shelter near the Polish border was born. A place where animals could rest and rehabilitate, before continuing their journey. With the help of my incredible friends, I was able to make this dream a reality. We founded the perfect safe haven for animals affected by the war. A home style shelter, where dogs and cats get a sense of what it’s like to be a part of a family. It’s now a connection point, between war and safety.

In 2023, we have the dream to start a Catch-Neuter-Release program through Koda's Mission, to help control the stray population and improve the lives of thousands of animals in Ukraine!

So, why “Koda’s Mission”? We named our organization after Koda, a dog I rescued following the liberation of Bucha. He has become my soulmate dog, who travels with us on all rescue missions. He is one of the first dogs who started this for us, and one of the reasons why we continue our fight to save as many animals as possible. While I might have started this journey on my own, I have met some amazing people along the way, who have become an essential support system by coordinating, supporting, and working alongside me every day. Koda’s Mission represents all of us, and we want to invite you to become a part of it too!



The animals we have been able to help so far have been direct victims of the war. Dogs and cats that were burnt or injured by the shelling, or by abuse. Terrified, traumatized dogs and cats that used to be pets, who found themselves on the streets as their owners who fled the fighting left them behind. And then there were the countless street animals we have come across on our trips. Some were extremely sick and in urgent need of medical care. The difference we have been able to make in their lives has been incredible. The animals give us back so much love every day. Running the shelter has been absolutely life changing. Your donations have made all of this possible, thank you!

As the global interest in the war in Ukraine is decreasing, it is becoming more and more difficult for us to raise the funds needed to continue our work here. But our work is far from done. Running this shelter, and going on rescue missions is our dream, and we do not want to give it up. In fact: after the last months, we are more determined than ever to do more!

Spending examples:

This is a 24/7 commitment and we cannot do this alone. – We rely on the kindness of your donations, for which we and our animals here are beyond grateful. Funds raised are being continuously used towards the day to day needs of the shelter, so please keep donating if you can.

Donate today and become a part of Koda's Mission – any donations made will always be used to save animals in need!

You can:

 

 Thank you for your support!