About UAnimals

The humanitarian movement UAnimals was initiated by Oleksandr Todorchuk to advocate for animal-free circuses. As a communication expert, Oleksandr started an information campaign to convince society that exploiting animals for entertainment has no place in the modern world.

He created a petition demanding a legislative ban on the use of animals in circuses, engaged opinion leaders to raise awareness, and sought support from government bodies.

UAnimals continued to advocate that animals have no place in circuses, sparking a movement of local activists to ban animal performances in circus tents. Their joint efforts have led to the prohibition of such shows in over three dozen cities.

On International Circus Day, UAnimals organized a rally in Kyiv, addressing MPs and the president with a demand to ban the exploitation of animals. Thousands gathered in Shevchenko Park, including Ukrainian soldiers, well-known activists, and volunteers. Notable attendees included Nata Zhyzhchenko, the lead singer of the ONUKA band, Vitaliy Deynega, the founder of the Come Back Alive Foundation, and Serhii Filimonov, now the commander of the Da Vinci Wolves Battalion.

UAnimals continued to campaign against the use of animals in circuses by organizing #circuswithoutanimals protests in various cities, expanding the efforts to achieve other animal protection goals, with a strong focus on holding animal abusers accountable. This is why the campaign titled “Ukraine is Not a Slaughterhouse” was launched near city halls across the country. It protested the mass killing of stray animals and demanded to punish the offenders.

Another key focus for UAnimals is promoting humane fashion. Activists urged the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to ban fur production, and successfully negotiated with several brands to stop using natural fur in their collections. Designers such as Andre TAN, BEVZA, ELENAREVA, Ksenia Schnaider, PRZHONSKAYA, Nadya Dzyak, and Yana Chervinska have all agreed to this proposal. Additionally, at UAnimals’ initiative, the Best Fashion Awards, Ukraine’s premier fashion award, introduced a Cruelty-Free Fashion category to honor ethical designers.

UAnimals made a big entrance into the book market by helping Pabulum Publishing House release a foundational work in modern animal protection, Animal Liberation by Peter Singer. After negotiations with Oleksandr Todorchuk, the author granted the rights to publish the book in Ukrainian for just $1.

Activists continued to advocate for animal-free circuses. They organized the “Zeal Rally” near the Office of the President of Ukraine, where DJs, jugglers, stilt walkers, magicians, and mimes draw attention to the issue of animal exploitation in circuses.

The anti-fur campaign remained active with the countrywide protest “Take Off Your Fur Forever!” held in 10 cities. Participants urged Ukrainians to abandon natural fur and urged the government to ban fur farms.

The third countrywide March for Animals was a historic event held in 24 cities, including for the first time at the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station. Participants signed a memorandum with 11 demands for authorities to protect animals from human cruelty.

Additionally, UAnimals initiated the creation of the Humane State inter-factional union in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. This initiative brought together 30 MPs from different parties to promote humane values and protect animals from cruelty and suffering.

During the quarantine, UAnimals adapted their events for the safety of participants by changing its format. For the first time in history, the Ukrainian March for Animals was held online, utilizing artificial intelligence, face swap technology, and the Reface app. Thousands of activists registered for the event and sent photos, then their faces were put in the video of the previous protests.

Numerous anti-fur rallies were transformed into socially distanced small protests. Activists protested Kyiv Fashion Furs exhibitions with messages like “Fur is bloody greediness!!” The protest actions expanded through the creation of a fake online fur store. Tens of thousands of potential buyers visited the Golden Fur website and learned that the true cost of fur clothing is the lives of killed animals. The campaign featured a Ukrainian singer, Khrystyna Soloviy.

Another impactful online performance was “Burned Stadiums” project, a collaboration between UAnimals and the Gres Todorchuk communication agency. To highlight the issue of burning snag, Dynamo Kyiv stadium was digitally set on fire using Photoshop. This idea was later adopted by five other football clubs in the Ukrainian Premier League.

Despite the pandemic, important offline initiatives continued. UAnimals raised funds to purchase equipment for firefighters combating the fire in Chornobyl and to buy food for wildlife in the Chornobyl reserve.

In pursuit of systemic change, activists also organized rallies in front of the Verkhovna Rada to advocate for stronger laws against animal cruelty.

The annual Ukrainian March for Animals took place offline again, and this time on an even larger scale than before the pandemic, in 30 cities across the country at the same time! Participants from Kyiv submitted 12 requirements to the president and MPs, which should legally ensure humane treatment of animals in Ukraine.

Thanks to the consistent work of the inter-factional union Humane State, the first significant victory at the legislative level took place; Law 1684-IX was adopted. It increased responsibility for cruelty to animals and banned photo services and begging with animals.

The animal rights activists teamed up with Association “Parfums and Cosmetics of Ukraine” and jointly achieved the government’s approval of the Technical Regulations for cosmetics. From that moment on, it became prohibited to test these products on animals in Ukraine.

During the second year of the full-scale war, UAnimals has significantly scaled up its activities. In 2023, we helped 248,000 animals with animal food, veterinary medications, medical treatments, evacuation from the war zones, and sterilization in the frontline areas.

Our international campaign #StopEcocideUkraine continued to gain momentum. In honor of Earth Day, we held actions on six continents, including a significant event at the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.

A huge challenge was the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam by russian forces. The UAnimals team immediately responded by going to the flooded areas to rescue animals. Our veterinary vehicle was working around the clock in the Kherson region, providing necessary medical care. We also sent funds to organizations and volunteer missions involved in animal rescues, as well as to national parks whose inhabitants were in danger.

We created a chatbot that helps animals by optimizing the work of UAnimals volunteers. Now, anyone could join animal protection initiatives in their region. We also organized a Cleanup day in five national parks, attracting 750 volunteers.

We launched a blood donation platform for animals. There, brave cats and dogs together can be registered as donors, and those in need of blood can submit applications.

Additionally, we introduced two new awards. The Ukrainian Animal Protection Award honored 20 animal rights activists who save lives in Ukraine. The first Humane Book literary award supported creators of children’s books that promote humane treatment of animals.

We continue our work: one UAnimals mission after another rescues animals from war and human cruelty. We share updates in real time on our social media and website — follow us on X, Instagram, in our news section, and through our regular reports.