Search Results for: Ukraine

Sadly, tragedy continues months after Russia first invaded Ukraine. Many buildings have been demolished as people seek shelter. With so many deaths and injuries, lots of pets have been left behind in the rubble, fighting for their lives. A recent missile strike in Mykolayiv destroyed an apartment building and left several people dead or injured. One of the survivors was a Labrador Retriever who was trapped on the fourth floor of the building. Rescuers shared heartbreaking footage of them saving … Read more

Aaron Jackson has made a huge difference in the world thanks to his organization called Planting Peace. Some of the incredible work they do involves protecting rainforests, planting trees, and encouraging equality. Ever since Russia first invaded Ukraine, the organization has expanded to help there as well. So, Jackson traveled from Florida to Poland to help find housing for refugees, especially those struggling to find pet-friendly accommodations. However, he recently learned that dogs from Ukraine cannot stay at shelters with … Read more

Doug Thron travels around the world to save abandoned pets during natural disasters. Amid events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, he uses his drone to locate life in destroyed buildings. He recently moved his rescue work to Kyiv, Ukraine, to save all the innocent pets that are trapped in the rubble. The infrared camera on the drone allows Thron to see pets in the building that would’ve been missed otherwise. So, the Florida resident is now rescuing and finding homes … Read more

Dr. Cliff Redford is a passionate veterinarian that has traveled the world for the sake of helping animals. With his experience in volunteering around the globe, he knew he had to get to Ukraine when the devastating war began. Dr. Cliff owns a veterinary practice in Ontario, Canada, but his love for his work has no borders. He has traveled to countries including Egypt, India, Jamaica, and now even Poland and Ukraine. Not only does Dr. Cliff travel to regions … Read more

Max the Belgian Malinois was trained to assist Russian soldiers during the invasion of Ukraine. But now, he has switched sides and is helping protect Ukrainians instead. He had a long journey between his two roles, but he seems genuinely happy in his new position. Russian soldiers left the three-year-old working dog behind in Ukraine. The exact reason is unknown, but Max seemed scared and malnourished all alone. So, Ukrainians didn’t hesitate to reach out to him and show him … Read more

In early May 2022, a flight of 166 Ukrainian refugees landed at the St. John’s International Airport in Canada. But they weren’t alone because 11 pets (3 dogs and eight cats) came along. The people couldn’t leave their furry friends behind, so they didn’t hop on a flight until they knew their pets could join them. The Ukrainians and their pets have been welcomed with open arms in Newfoundland and Labrador, and many other Ukrainian pet parents are hoping to … Read more

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 61-year-old Igor Pedin refused to go anywhere without his nine-year-old Terrier mix named Zhu-Zhu. The man and his dog were in Mariupol, which is currently a Russian-controlled area in the southeastern part of Ukraine. He had family in Zaporizhzhia, which was a Ukraine-controlled city about 225 kilometers (140 miles) away. Despite the risks, Pedin knew he had to get himself and Zhu-Zhu to safety. The only way he could get there was by foot, … Read more

Chris Jimenez is a dog trainer based in San Diego, California, but he had 35 German Shepherds located in Kyiv. The dogs are trained to assist military and law enforcement, but when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, the dogs were trapped in their kennels. Jimenez realized that the dogs wouldn’t survive long on their own, so he flew to Ukraine to rescue them. Transporting 35 large dogs was easier said than done. Jimenez had to raise $40,000 for a … Read more

Patron, the two-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, has become a hero in Ukraine after sniffing out hundreds of bombs. He’s continuously saving lives and looking adorable while doing so. Plus, he has even built up quite the fan club with over 200,000 Instagram followers! So, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given this courageous pup a medal. It was an adorable ceremony, even though Patron had no idea what was happening. He remained on high alert during the ceremony because he’s always … Read more

After the COVID-19 lockdown, veterinarian Dr. Krista Magnifico promised herself that she’d no longer be afraid to do things she’s passionate about. Of course, one thing she always feels compelled to do is save animals. So, when she heard about animals struggling during the Ukraine invasion, she followed through with her promise. Magnifico spent two weeks in Ukraine, trying to help as many animals as possible. While she made a big impact, there’s still so much to be done. Despite … Read more

Igor Tracz from Poland is known for winning championships in sled dog sports and bikejoring. He’s used to traveling with dogs, so he has the right resources for transporting those in need. Thus, he knew he had to help out when he heard about animals struggling in Ukraine. Tracz is currently transporting as many at-risk pets out of Ukraine as possible. Thanks to donations from dog lovers around the world, he has been able to save over 250 dogs and … Read more

When most people picture a working dog, they think of German Shepherds, Belgian Malinoises, or other large, strong breeds. Jack Russell Terriers are probably far from what you might expect. However, a bomb-sniffing Jack Russell named Patron is likely the most famous working dog in Ukraine. Amid the war, Patron has located many explosives, saving people’s lives. He might not look tough, but he plays an important role in keeping Ukrainians safe. He has also gained a significant fanbase while … Read more

Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine, many pets have become homeless. Families were forced to leave their furry friends behind, and shelters are struggling to care for the animals they have. Some Ukrainians have decided to take in more pets than they can handle to hopefully save their lives, but doing it alone is near impossible. So, New York-based charity Paws of War is stepping up to do everything they can. They built and placed emergency feeding stations for pets across … Read more

Many people have been injured or killed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The horrors haven’t stopped since the attack started on February 24th, 2022. Despite the hardships, many people continue working hard to keep themselves and their loved ones alive and well. That includes their furry friends. After a recent shelling by Russian troops, a 77-year-old man and his puppy barely made it out alive. But sadly, the tiny pup was nowhere in sight, so the man feared the worst … Read more

WARNING: Content contains disturbing topics and images.  Many people have stayed behind in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion to keep animals safe, but sadly, not all animal advocates have been able to do so. When the invasion began at the end of February 2022, an animal shelter in Borodyanka had 485 dogs in its care. But Russian soldiers were near the shelter, so the dogs were all alone for weeks. Now that the Russian troops are moving away from the … Read more

The ADA Adoption Center and Animal Clinic in Przemysl, Poland, is just over the border from Ukraine. As the closest rescue organization to the war-torn country, Dr. Jakub Kotowicz and his colleagues are devoted to saving as many innocent animals as possible. So far, the 32-year-old vet has crossed into Ukraine three times, rescuing more than 60 dogs, 200 cats, and a handful of other animals, including a pygmy goat named Sasha. Just six miles from the Ukrainian border, the … Read more

After more than a month of Russia invading Ukraine, many people want to help but don’t know how. The idea of traveling to Ukraine to make a difference is terrifying for many individuals, but one man didn’t need to think twice about it. Jeff Praul, a 28-year-old waiter from Maryland, knew he wanted to help out as soon as he heard about the war. Of course, his family warned him because they feared that he wouldn’t return. But Praul knew … 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

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

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

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

Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing Ukraine after Russian troops invaded. No one should have to experience a heartbreaking situation like this, but even in the toughest of times, the victims refuse to leave any loved ones behind. That includes their beloved pets. Many photos have appeared on social media showing Ukrainians holding their pets close as they evacuate. This includes dogs, cats, and even fish! Luckily, many people are supporting the Ukrainians’ dedication to their furry friends. Countries … Read more