Animal victims of war, help us to help them

In 2022 Paws for Ukraine was set up after watching the heartbreaking images coming out of Ukraine. Refugees were coming out of Ukraine carrying everything that they could carry including their companion animals, mostly cats and dogs. However, many cats and dogs had been abandoned as their owners fled for the border, worried that they wouldn't be allowed across the borders with their pets or that they were just physically unable to carry their animals. Ukrainian dog and cat shelters were bombed and those animals that survived were rescued within Ukraine but had only temporary shelter. Animals were found injured, terrified and abandoned in streets and buildings across Ukraine.

This situation continues to this day, although the mainstream media doesn't cover these stories so much anymore.

Paws for Ukraine traveled to Ukraine from the UK on two separate missions. The first was to drive from the UK into Ukraine and get as many animals out as possible, treated and rehomed. Meeting up with other rescue teams we succeeded in rescuing many dozens of cats and dogs, crossing the borders time and time again. Animals were coming out starving, and terrified and some had sustained serious injuries. Some never made it, but we are pleased and proud to say that so many got the help that they needed and are now settled in homes across Europe.

Our second mission meant travelling deep into Ukraine where we met up with Margo and Pavlo. They had just set up a dog and cat rescue center just outside of Kyiv. Using their own money, by the time we arrived, they had about a dozen dogs and cats that had been brought out of the war zones, as well as from the now notorious Borodyanka dog shelter. This shelter held hundreds of stray dogs, waiting to be re-homed. They were all kept in large pens and were chained to kennels. They relied completely on the people there to feed them and give them water. In early 2022 this shelter was badly bombed and many dogs died and sustained serious injury. Due to the dangers at the time, the staff fled and couldn't reach the shelter. Almost 300 dogs starved to death and this is just one of many shelters that suffered and continue to suffer throughout this war.

Margo and Pavlo, even in the face of war, decided to give these animals a chance and began rescuing as many animals as they could. They are not rich people and used all their money to take in, feed and get treatment for those that needed it. When Paws for Ukraine heard about this center we decided to drive the twelve hours from the Polish border to see what we could do to help. With us, was an experienced veterinary surgeon and during the time that we spent there, animals were treated and where necessary, they were spade and neutered.

Unfortunately, this year (2023) Paws for Ukraine cannot get back out, but Margo and Pavlo are in more need of help than ever. They have since expanded their center and have built more kennel space. The animals in their care are in good hands, but this couple is struggling and to make it even worse, Pavlo has recently been treated for cancer.

As of writing this (August 2023), we have been unable to contact the center and believe, that not for the first time, the bombing has caused them to lose electricity and phone signal. We are trying to make contact with them and when we finally do, we would like to be able to tell them that we are raising funds for them which will help to buy the center a new generator, fuel for the generator and much-needed supplies for all the animals that are being rescued, cared for and re-homed by these two amazing people.

Please, donate what you can and we will keep you up to date with developments at the center and let you know how your funds are making a real difference. Our target of £2,000.00 will go a long way in Ukraine and make life so much better for these innocent animal victims of war that pass through this shelter, especially as winter will soon be upon them.

Please watch the attached youtube video to get a flavour of what we have done so far.

Thank you for your support

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Also, please come back for further updates in the future, to see how your funds have helped.