The Organizations Helping Ukraine’s Pet Refugees and How You Can Help Them

More than one million people have fled Ukraine so far according to UN estimates, with a further three million expected to leave because of the Russian invasion. While countries across Europe have changed their immigration rules, making it easier for people to seek asylum and find safety, many have asked: what about pets?

When we talk about pets in the same breath as the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Ukraine, it can sometimes feel a little flippant. But to the very real people at the center of this tragedy, their pets are not something to be flippantly forgotten about. For the people fleeing Ukraine, being forced to leave behind a core family member only adds to the trauma.

The war in Ukraine has plunged the country’s people and animals into crisis. As hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians flee their homes, many are refusing to go without their beloved animal companions by their side, while others are forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to leave them behind. Photographs and videos shared across social media show people holding their animals close as they attempt to cross borders or find underground refugee from the bombs.

Right now, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia have all waived documentation for animal companions to enter, meaning they do not need the strict health or ID documents that are usually required to cross the border. Many charities and shelters who share a border with Ukraine are doing everything they can to support the people and animals who are able to make it to safety, such as providing shelter, food, and medical supplies.

However, there are still many animals left in Ukraine who desperately need help. Brave volunteers have chosen to stay in the war-stricken country, putting their own lives at risk, to care for the animals who have been left behind – as well as the thousands of homeless animals trying to survive on the streets. Shelters in the nation are already running critically low on food supplies, with only a few days of food remaining.

 

International Animal charities on the ground in Ukraine:

PETA

PETA, thought to be the world’s largest animal rights organization, is one of the many working tirelessly to assist people and animals in Ukraine.  A team from PETA Germany traveled to the Polish and Romanian borders to provide on-the-ground assistance. The non-profit has picked up at least six refugees as well as dogs and cats. PETA Germany is also helping deliver supplies like blankets, and coordinating the drop-off of 40,000 pounds of pet food to shelters in Ukraine. The animal rights charity has also released a video report on the situation in Ukraine in collaboration with vegan streaming service UnchainedTV. You can support PETA’s work here.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) 

IFAW is providing emergency aid to Shelter Pif – located in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, which is home to more than 800 dogs – and the Holivka Shelter, located in Gorlovka in eastern Ukraine with 300 dogs. The latter rescue was recently hit by shelling, resulting in the death of one animal. Despite the damage, staff have remained at the facility to continue caring for the animals. You support IFAW’s work here.

Humane Society International (HSI)

HSI is prioritizing support to shelters, rescue groups and veterinary clinics in Ukraine. It is vitally important to sustain these institutions in their efforts to maintain operations and services. In many cases, they are helping individuals and families who cannot flee but are trying to hold onto and care for their pets and other animals. In addition, some groups are caring for animals on the streets. The demands and needs of the moment are substantial and will continue to be significant in the future.

To assist these organizations, HSI is collaborating with a partner in Ukraine, UAnimals, to assess and prioritize the needs of shelters and clinics actively engaged in relief. HSI in Germany is working with Berliner Tiertafel to provide refugees with pet food and necessary supplies for their animals as well as veterinary care if needed.

HSI is also planning to support animal groups in neighboring countries such as Poland and Romania as they assist refugees arriving from Ukraine with their pets. The groups trying to provide relief are going to need food, carriers, medicines and critical supplies.  The same is true for zoos and wildlife rescue centers in Ukraine, and HSI will do their best to help them meet their needs, too. Read more here about HSI’s plan for taking action and make a donation to support their work.

 

Animal Rescues based in Ukraine:

Happy Paw

Happy Paw is a charitable foundation that helps cats and dogs in shelters across Ukraine and promotes the humane treatment of stray animals. At the moment, Happy Paw’s main objective is to “not stop supporting animals in shelters.” In a Facebook post, they said they are concerned about rapidly dwindling food and supplies in animals shelters and the logistical issues of supplying urgently needed groceries and medicine. “According to our data, all animals are alive and there is food for the next few days. The biggest problem is that no delivery service is currently able to deliver needed food and supplies to the shelters. And also no fuel for vehicles and unable to withdraw cash or pay by card for groceries in some regions.” You can support their work by making a donation here.

UAnimals

UAnimals works to protect animals in Ukraine from exploitation while supporting animals in shelters and rehabilitation centers. The organization is collecting funds to help animal shelters that have run out of food and supplies due to the Russian invasion. They have already helped over 30 shelters across the country, including Save a life, Lonely Hearts, and Snowy protection. Despite their opposition to zoos, UAnimals is calculating the funding needed to keep the animals held captive in zoos alive. “We’re fighting to ban contact zoos, but in this moment, saving lives from war should be a priority.” You can support their work by making a donation here.

Shelter Ugolyok

Shelter Ugolyok is a Ukrainian non-profit animal rescue organization and sanctuary for farmed animals. They are currently stockpiling food reserves for the hundreds of animals in their care, but are facing huge difficulties in transporting supplies close to the bombings. To help Shelter Ugolyok, you can make a donation via PayPal (pawsofhelp@outlook.com), Venmo (pawsofhelp) and Fundrazr or Patreon.

 

Shelters in bordering nations Accepting and Supporting Ukraine’s Animals:

Casa lui Patrocle

Based in the city of Suceava in Romania – around 40km from the Ukraine border – Casa lui Patrocle is an animal rescue charity that has pledged to help families fleeing with their pets. In a Facebook post, they announced they will provide veterinary assistance and find accommodation and shelter for any animals in need of support. The organization said it would help treat “any type of animal” including farmed animals “regardless of their species”. You can support their work here.

Save Our Paws

Based in the Lasi city of Romania, Save Our Paws is a small non-profit organization rescuing animals from shelters and the street. In a Facebook post, they have offered their support for all animals (and if possible, people) affected by the crises. “We can take injured animals, provide free medical care, and foster, and we can also expand the area as needed. We are here!” To help Save Our Paws, you can make a donation via PayPal (asociatiasaveourpaws.ong@gmail.com).

Sava’s Safe Haven

Sava’s Safe Haven is an NGO animal welfare association and rescue shelter in Romania who work with the local community to offer education on how to care for their animals as well as basic medical care for those who cannot afford it. So far, they have to helped to reunite families, given shelter and food to several families and their dogs, provided financial and emotional support, and coordinated rescue missions and aid distribution. Their current emergency shelters are full, but they are raising urgent funds – 4000 euros – to set up a “unit to accommodate dogs for short period (refugee dogs)”, as per a post on Facebook. You can support their work here.

Save Wild

Save Wild, an animal protection organization based in Kyiv, manages White Rock Bear Shelter which rescues bears suffering in private zoos and circuses, for example. The team are now working relentlessly to save as many animals as possible from the disaster in Ukraine. Lending their support to fellow rescue centers, White Rock Bear Shelter has helped transport several lions and tigers, an African wild dog, caracals, and a monkey.

The animals were transported from Save Wild in Kyiv to a Zoo Poznań in Poland for temporary shelter. It was uncertain whether the animals would make it to the Polish border, when “tragic news” emerged that Russian tanks had surrounded the convoy, the zoo wrote on Facebook. But the animals “miraculously survived the transport through the area covered by war and fire,” the zoo said. It added that the animals “are a symbol of saving life, the value of which is enormous, especially when we witness war crimes committed against people and animals in Ukraine.” You support Save the Wild and White Rock Bear Shelter here.

Animal Society and Adăpostul Speranța

Animal Society is a Romainan-based, independent animal welfare organisation who deliver humane stray animal care programs locally. Alongside rescue shelter Adăpostul Speranța, who are based in Bucharest, the two groups have offered to take in animal companions and shelter them for as long as needed. You can support their work here and here. 

Centaurus Foundation

Polish organization, Centaurus Foundation, are fundraising for both the human and non-human animals of Ukraine. They are raising money for families who are looking for shelter and supplies, including some of their own Ukranian employees. They are also providing food, medicines, and transport for animals affected in Ukraine, and will offer sanctuary for any animals in need at all of their centers. You can support them here.

Association Riga si Berlin

Based in Bucharest, Romania, Association Riga si Berlin is an NGO raising awareness of feline epilepsy. They have shared on Facebook offers to help support pet owners with food, medical bills, medicine, and finding temporary or permanent homes in Romania for animals affected. You can support their work here. 

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