In July, UAnimals volunteers conducted 10 aid distributions in communities near the front lines. As a result, 1,140 animals received food and antiparasitic treatments.
In July, UAnimals volunteers conducted 10 aid distributions in communities near the front lines. As a result, 1,140 animals received food and antiparasitic treatments.
For many people who remain in front-line communities and care for abandoned animals, this aid is the only way to save the lives of cats and dogs. In total, over the course of the month, UAnimals volunteers delivered 2,040 kilograms of food and 2,157 parasite treatment products to local caregivers.
Distributions in July covered the Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
In Sumy Oblast, volunteer Marina Velitchenko distributed aid to Shalygino, Khodino, Esmannia, and caregivers in Hlukhiv. This time, nearly 150 dogs and cats received food.
Many animals were left on the streets here after people were evacuated. Almost all of them live in deserted villages, where they continue to be fed by those who have not yet left themselves. Marina explains that the men who come to help are caring for the abandoned animals right under shelling, risking their own lives.
“Right now, this is the only way for those animals to barely survive,” the volunteer wrote after the distribution.
The situation is similar in the Kharkiv region. In the village of Utkivka and the hamlet of Ozeryany, volunteer Vladyslava Shylo delivered food and veterinary supplies to people who continue to care for animals left without owners.
During one of the distributions in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Olena and Dmytro Kalinichenko were forced to take cover because shooting broke out right next to them.
“We can’t go out. They’re shooting at us,” Olena said in a video she recorded during the distribution. A burst of gunfire could be heard in the background. She later said she didn’t know exactly where the fire was coming from. There was no sound of drones — which our military might have been shooting down — and the shelling went on for a long time. “It went on for so long, and it was impossible to get out; I thought I’d never make it out at all,” she recalls. Eventually, Olena and Dmytro managed to deliver the animal feed and escape the village.
In the Kherson region, volunteer Olena Bozhivska delivered aid. She visited Kherson — including the “red zone” — as well as Antonivka, Kindiyka, Bilozerka, and Prychalne. During the trip, the vehicle used to transport humanitarian aid and animal feed sustained damage. Fortunately, no one was injured, and despite serious damage, the vehicle remained drivable.
During the aid distribution in the Zaporizhzhia region, volunteer Daryna Lytvynenko visited Novomykolaivka, Storchove, Ostrovske, Trudove, Kyivske, Veselyi Hai, and Tersyanka. This time, she said, it was harder than usual. On the way to the Zaporizhzhia region, a “Shahed” drone struck a combine harvester that was working in a field right in front of the volunteers. Further along the route, FPV drones began flying in, and shelling with KAB bombs continued.
But visiting these settlements was necessary not only to distribute food. Daryna explains that the animals there are already gathering in packs and seeking shelter near people’s homes, hospitals, and other places where they might be given food. Some are even living right on the ruins.
In one of the yards, a woman is caring for about 12 dogs and a large number of cats. Recently, one of the dogs gave birth to eight more puppies. During shelling, all the animals, along with the residents, take shelter in the basement.
In another location — near the local clinic — a whole pack of dogs has gathered. Some of the puppies were brought there by the military. Five cats also live nearby. The volunteer left food and medical supplies for all these animals. Additionally, during this trip, Daryna managed to rescue two cats from a destroyed house and send them to Ternopil.
In July, these ten aid distributions were made possible thanks to the volunteers at UAnimals, who continue to travel to communities near the front lines. We thank each and every one who has joined this effort — despite the danger, shelling, and the constantly challenging conditions along the routes.
You, too, can help save animals affected by the war. Support UAnimals’ work by following this link — your donation will help us continue to rescue, treat, evacuate, and provide necessary assistance to animals in frontline areas and shelters.
Main photo: Kherson Oblast, volunteer Olena Bozhevska
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