UAnimals, together with a team of doctors from the Affordable Sterilization project, carried out veterinary missions in the Kharkiv region — in frontline communities where access to veterinary care is limited and in some cases completely unavailable. For several weeks, we worked in Tsyrkuny and Derhachi, but animals were also brought in from many neighboring settlements: Cherkaski Tyshky, Ruski Tyshky, Cherkaska Lozova, Ruska Lozova, and Mala Danilivka.
In total, more than 900 animals received veterinary care during the December visits.
What kind of help was provided during the veterinary mission in Tsyrkuny?
As part of the mission, a team of veterinarians and volunteers provided comprehensive assistance:
- 278 animals were sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, microchipped, and treated for parasites;
- 93 animals were vaccinated against rabies;
- veterinarians also conducted 37 consultations for caregivers and additionally treated 12 animals.
Among the sterilized animals were 89 strays caught by Andriy, a catcher from the “Affordable Sterilization” team. In total, 371 animals were helped.
At the same time, the team distributed food to local caregivers:
- 358.2 kg of dog food;
- 400 kg of cat food.
We also organized transportation of animals to and from the veterinary mission site for people with limited mobility and caregivers with a large number of animals.
“We traveled to neighboring and remote villages, picking up pets from people who couldn’t bring them themselves due to health issues, lack of transportation, or other circumstances,” says our rescuer and videographer Ksenia Kozenyuk.
According to her, the cases were very different — some animals refused to eat, some were constantly licking themselves, some were coughing, and some were in critical condition and needed immediate help.
Unfortunately, not all animals could be saved during this veterinary mission. A cat with a severe eye injury, brought in by a local resident, did not survive. The woman found the cat in her garden and did not know what had happened to it. The doctors assumed that it had been hit by a car and hoped to stabilize the animal’s condition. But during the operation, they discovered a ruptured diaphragm and serious complications. Despite all efforts, the cat could not be saved.
Second December veterinary mission in Dergachi
At the end of December, the UAnimals team conducted another veterinary mission in Dergachi. Almost every day, there were more than 100 appointments, and a total of 541 animals received help.
As part of the veterinary mission:
- 403 animals were sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, microchipped, and treated for parasites;
- 126 animals were separately vaccinated against rabies;
- 50 veterinary consultations were held for caregivers and 10 animals were additionally treated;
- 455.4 kg of dog food and 499.2 kg of cat food were distributed.
During the reception, veterinarians worked not only with sterilizations. The team was approached by caregivers of animals with cancer, suspected severe viral infections, chronic conditions, and acute problems that required immediate intervention.
We sincerely thank the team of veterinarians from the “Affordable Sterilization” project, with whom we have been working for over two years. Led by Natalia Sokolova, the team regularly participates in trips to frontline settlements and works in difficult conditions.
If you want to support our work, please make a donation on the UAnimals website. This allows us to continue helping animals in regions where access to veterinary care is limited or non-existent.
