Ukraine: Two and a half years of emergency animal aid in times of war

How Animal Rescue Kharkiv and PETA are providing a safe future for thousands of abandoned Ukrainian dogs

Stuttgart. Since Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022, animal rights activists from Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARC) with the support of PETA Germany for animals in war zones. “With PETA HELPS UKRAINE, the largest charitable project we have implemented in the association’s 30-year history was created in just a short time,” says PETA’s project manager Sylvie Bunz. “With our support, Animal Rescue Kharkiv has so far saved around 17,000 animals and given them a 'new life' in quiet parts of Ukraine and the European Union.”

Animal Rescue Kharkiv – the brave life savers in war
Animal Rescue Kharkiv has around 85 employees and helpers, all of whom rescue animals near the front have a military background. This is particularly important when chains of command must be maintained and agreements must be made with Ukrainian soldiers. In a mined restricted area or in the event of an air alert, every step is life-threatening. This requires a strategic approach. The team is often alerted by refugees or residents and asked to retrieve abandoned dogs from the rubble of former homes. “The closer the pickup location is to the front line, the more difficult the rescue becomes. In order not to become a target of Russian missiles themselves, the rescuers – equipped with helmets and protective vests – even set out on foot and carry the protégés miles back to the transporter,” reports Sylvie Bunz.

Animal rescue on the front lines in Ukraine

Four rescue teams move out every day and risk their own lives for our fellow creatures. While they were recently securing around 60 animals per week, there are now up to 450. The selfless, tireless and courageous work of the animal rights activists grew out of great need: right at the beginning of the war, the organization's animal shelter in Kharkiv was hit by a rocket attack completely destroyed. Almost all of the 400 dogs died, and there was no longer any shelter for the surviving animals. “We needed a quick, pragmatic solution,” remembers the PETA project manager. “We converted horse stables to protect around 800 dogs from the cold and get them safely through the winter.” A large apartment was rented, converted and lovingly furnished for the cats in the project.

PETA's project provides shelter and medical care
The project can currently accommodate over 1,300 animals in need. In addition to numerous dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, pigeons, geese, ducks, swans, fish and other creatures also gratefully take advantage of this.

Animal rescue in UkraineA new refuge for animals is now being built, where more than 1,000 animals of all kinds will find a safe place in the future. Many of them are also prepared there for placement. “A dairy farm that was never used is being converted for this purpose. So where 30 years ago – after the collapse of the Soviet Union – cows should have been exploited for their milk, instead animals find the safest, temporary home possible,” reports PETA. The majority of animals are either reunited with their owners – escaping together is usually not possible – or are given to loving people via animal shelters. Some will probably stay in the project forever.

The heart of the animal protection work is a veterinary clinic in Kharkiv, which is largely co-financed by PETA. 130 seriously ill and injured animals can be operated on and cared for in the clinic every day – this capacity is fully utilized every day. The suffering is indescribably great and medical help and care are urgently needed.

Animal rescue in UkraineIn the clinic, veterinary specialists care for countless dogs, cats, birds, small and wild animals in need. There are many seriously injured dogs that were left behind in the turmoil of war and were wounded by bomb splinters, debris or even explosions. Some Animal rescue on the front lines in UkraineThese dogs may have always been homeless. “The suffering that the ARK rescue workers encounter every day is immeasurable,” continues Sylvie Bunz. “Just a few weeks ago, the emergency team took into care a young dog whose fur was covered in motor oil. Elsewhere, ARK recovered a dog from the rubble of a house. He had sought shelter in a cavity, but the ruin continued to collapse. He wouldn't have been able to get out on his own. And these stories are still positive because the dogs were saved.” Today the two are doing well. In the clinic they were thoroughly examined, treated and lovingly cared for so that emotional wounds were also alleviated.

PETA's partners are very experienced in dealing with traumatized animals. Weakened by hunger and thirst, the dogs often run directly towards the rescue teams. Most of the animals literally hope for human help. But dogs left behind are not always so easy to take with them. Guided by their fear, some try to build as much distance as possible from the animal rights activists. Others take a defensive stance. ARK also takes such behavioral patterns into account when mediating. “Dogs that have been chained for years tend not to become relaxed family dogs. However, our project mainly houses 'all-rounders': formerly homeless dogs or dogs that had a family. They are familiar with human contact and everyday events,” explains Sylvie Bunz.

Vegan pet food satisfies the hunger of many dogs
Animal rescue on the front lines in UkraineFor two and a half years, the war of aggression has brought destruction, death and great hardship to people and animals in Ukraine. Pet food has become almost unaffordable. This hits the animals hard. In rural areas they often lead a deprived existence anyway. But in times of war it is hardly possible for owners to provide their dogs with food. Added to this are the needy animals that no longer have people around. PETA's project manager thinks back and says: “Immediately after the start of the war, the supply situation collapsed and we had to quickly come up with something to counteract the starvation of countless animals.” Loyal partners produce tons of vegan pet food for PETA and transport it into the country. The vital reserves are distributed locally to animal owners and animals without a home. The residents in the PETA project are also supplied with it. There are now a total of almost 1,600 tons that satisfy the hunger of thousands of animals. This corresponds roughly to the weight of eight jumbo jets. Food for all other animals can be purchased in the country.

The dangers are great and the effort is high, but every life counts – including those of animals. “That is why we appeal to the public not to forget the suffering of people and animals in Ukraine, because the situation is getting worse every day,” concludes Sylvie Bunz, head of the PETA HELPS UKRAINE project.

Photos: © PETA Deutschland eV