The cruelty of the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on, with horrific news coming out of the stricken yet strong country hourly. Among the stories, the tale of two young lions has found its way into print and onto our screens. Twin lion cub brothers, Tsar and Jamil, are barely older than a year, but they’ve only known hardship. Now, the big cats are safe in a Belgian wildlife center and decompressing from their tense journey across a war-ravaged area. … Read more

Originally from Sutton, Surrey, Gavin Guest worked for years as a teacher at the British International School in Ukraine. While abroad, he rescued Eli, a two-year-old West Siberian Laika mix. On February 12, 2022, the Foreign Office advised all Brits to get out of Ukraine. For Guest, leaving the country wouldn’t be so simple. He would need special permission to bring Eli with him, and there was no chance he was leaving without Eli. Prior to the Russian invasion later … Read more

Update 3/9/2022 – Melanie Polanco’s Cockapoo named Ella has returned home, but the investigation isn’t over yet. A bizarre series of events occurred before the pup was found, and the suspect is still on the loose. A few days after the incident, Polanco received a call from the Uber Eats driver known as “Michael.” He said he didn’t mean to steal the dog, but his story kept changing. Once, he claimed he picked up the dog and gave her to … Read more

When most people think of a working dog, they often picture a large, strong pooch that isn’t afraid of conflict. A round, wiggly puppy is the opposite of what you’d expect. Yet, Ukrainian soldiers have added some unique members to their team amid the Russian invasion. The soldiers publicly introduced two tiny puppies, each with a unique backstory. Even though the puppies can’t walk far or put up a fight, they’ve been helpful in other ways. According to the Ukrainian … Read more

Amid the horrific Russian invasion, many Ukrainians have been able to leave with their furry friends by their sides. But some people are still having trouble getting to safety. Rishab Kaushik, an Indian student in Ukraine, has been struggling to get his rescue dog named Malibu approved to fly. Kaushik was trying to evacuate to India amid the war, but he refused to leave without Malibu. The government kept denying his flight without the dog’s paperwork. So, he posted a … Read more

For Ukrainian residents, the Russian invasion has uprooted their entire lives. Many have been forced to flee their homes, which adds another concern: what will happen to their family pets? Polish animal rescuer Konrad Kuzminski has been making regular runs into war-torn Ukraine to safely transport dogs, cats, and other animals out of the country. Since the invasion began in late February 2022, Kuzminski and his colleagues at animal charity Dioz have rescued over 100 dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, and … Read more

Last Hope K9 Rescue recently entered into a heated legal battle with a foster that had objections to the rescue’s treatment plan. The conflict arose when a foster dog named Kirklin developed complications after leg surgery, leading both sides to argue about a possible amputation. Kirklin is a lovable Pit Bull that came into the care of Last Hope K9 Rescue in 2020. He was originally adopted by a family soon after his arrival, only to be returned due to … Read more

Just two months after a family lost their patriarch to terminal cancer, they’re experiencing another, different kind of loss. On February 17, 2022, their 9-year-old German Shepherd Dog Ruby went missing. Ruby, a rescue, helped this family get through the most challenging experience of their lives. To lose her this way, just after saying goodbye to their husband and father forever, is utterly heartbreaking. Still, Ruby’s family is not giving up hope. They’ve reached out to volunteer groups and the … Read more

Many people told Anastasiia Yalanskaya to evacuate Ukraine when Russian troops invaded. But the 26-year-old Ukrainian refused because she wanted to help others. Yalanskaya was big on volunteer work, especially when it involved dogs in need. She stayed behind because she knew people and animals needed her help. But in the end, that selfless decision cost her her life. Yalanskaya was shot and killed by Russian troops as she was bringing donations to an animal shelter. She died a hero, … Read more

Four months after a show dog was stolen in Memphis with the car she was inside, police arrested the man responsible. Sadly for her mom, the dog is still missing. Oakley the English Cocker Spaniel’s disappearance serves as a sad reminder that car thieves don’t care about the dogs inside or the people they’re hurting when they abscond with more than property. More Than Just Property Theft Megan McCoy, Oakley’s mom, isn’t even from Memphis. She and her dog were … Read more

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a humanitarian disaster that worsens by the day. And not only are innocent men, women, and children caught up in the brutality of war, but these Ukrainian families’ beloved pets are in danger, too. Forced to take just what they can carry as they run for their lives, many people have found themselves and their pets at borders, hungry, thirsty, and unsure of what to do next. With more than 800,00 refugees already … Read more

The complicated relationship between delivery drivers and the dogs on their routes is as old as time. Usually, it’s the delivery person worried about being chased by a dog defending its territory. This story is about a delivery driver victimizing a dog. A dog parent from Miami happens to have surveillance cameras trained on her driveway and front gate. On February 23, 2022, the cameras captured a UPS delivery driver dropping a large box directly onto the woman’s German Shepherd. … Read more

While many people are fleeing Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, one hero is standing his ground. Andrea Cisternino runs an animal shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. He has over 400 animals in his care including dogs, cats, sheep, goats, and pigs. He currently has no way to transport all the animals to safety, so he has vowed to stay with them during these dark times. Cisternino knows that staying in Kyiv puts his life at risk, but he says he’d … Read more