Video game developer Dmytro Yarynych, together with his retriever Obi, raised 10,000 hryvnias to support the construction of the Happy Cat shelter in Zaporizhzhia. These funds were donated to a UAnimals campaign, which has collected over 270,000 hryvnias in total for the shelter’s development.
Dmytro and Obi received support from fellow game developers and the gaming community.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the support, especially at a time when most news feeds are filled with urgent fundraisers for essential needs on the front lines,” said Dmytro.
Currently, Dmytro Yarynych is working on an adventure game called Tailgate, which centers on the story of a dog named Zhupan. In the game, a household pet wakes up to find his human missing. Later, it becomes clear that other people have also disappeared.
“It’s a sort of allegory for animals abandoned by their owners. Unfortunately, such situations have been far too common since the full-scale invasion began, and they continue to occur. I was inspired by a story from a friend: in March 2022, he opened abandoned homes to feed the animals left behind. These stories break my heart. But as a writer and designer, the idea evolved. I thought, ‘What if a dog set out on a quest to find his person, embarking on a grand adventure?'” Dmytro shared.
As a token of gratitude, Dmytro gave participants postcards and stickers featuring artwork from the game. These illustrations are Dmytro’s original creations.
The game designer ran the fundraiser with the help of his Labrador, Obi:
“He’s friendly and loves to play, but he has a very strong protective instinct—he won’t let anyone approach the family on the street,” Dmytro said. “At home, he’s almost always underfoot, whether it’s convenient or not—he just wants to lie nearby. We’re inseparable. I often think that thanks to him, I manage to keep my sanity.”
With the funds donated by Dmytro and other benefactors to the UAnimals campaign, the Happy Cat shelter in Zaporizhzhia plans to build seven dog enclosures, a play area for them, and a play zone for cats. Currently, the shelter houses seven dogs and 60 cats. The expansion will allow the shelter to accommodate more animals evacuated from frontline areas.
Although the campaign for the shelter in Zaporizhzhia has concluded, many other animals still need help. Join the cause—every contribution matters!
