January 2025

The first month of 2025 has passed. It was long, challenging, and full of difficulties that our team had to face. However, thanks to the donations and support of our donors, volunteers, and all kind-hearted people, we were able to help 8,000 animals.

— We sent 15,193 kilograms of food for 1,042 dogs and 4,992 cats.

— We evacuated two people and 260 animals.

— We paid for the treatment of 26 animals and sterilized over 400 animals.

— As part of the Life-Saving Christmas Presents project, we funded and delivered veterinary aid to four shelters.

— Within the Vaccines and Treatments for Evacuated Animals project, we purchased and delivered 160 combination vaccines for dogs, 160 for cats, and treatments for 169 animals in seven shelters.

— Under the Treatment of Animals Cared for by the Military project, we treated one animal, while four more remain under treatment.

— With the support of the Paw of Care project by Masterzoo, we organized a veterinary mission to Nikopol and helped 427 animals: sterilized 392 animals, captured 182 stray animals for treatment and sterilization, distributed an additional 25 doses of combination vaccines and 10 rabies vaccines, and provided 607 kilograms of food.

— As part of the Firewood for Animal Shelters project, we funded and delivered firewood to four shelters.

This month, we treated, fed, and cared for approximately 8,000 animals, spending a total of 6,772,518 hryvnias (~$163,000).

1. In January, our evacuation teams made five trips to the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, evacuating two people and 260 animals:

• We evacuated one person and 79 animals from the Donetsk region — two goats, 43 dogs, and 34 cats. During the trip, we visited Pokrovsk, Rodynske, Bilytske, Serhiivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk.
• On the next trip, we evacuated 47 animals from Kostiantynivka, Oleksiivka, Pokrovsk, Rodynske, Bilytske, Novoekonomichne, Sloviansk, and Druzhkivka. Among the animals were two goats, a boar, 12 cats, and 32 dogs.
• We evacuated 72 animals from Pokrovsk, Rodynske, Bilytske, Serhiivka, Kostiantynivka, Poltavka, Hryshyne, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, Sloviansk in the Donetsk region, and Borova in the Kharkiv region. Among the rescued animals were 60 dogs and puppies, and 12 cats.
• We evacuated one person and four animals from Pokrovsk to the Dnipropetrovsk region. Among the rescued were a cat and three dogs. Volodymyr Holubiev, a volunteer, and Hanna Ponyrko, from the UAnimals evacuation team, carried out this trip.
• We evacuated 58 animals — five ducks, five chickens, 25 dogs, and 23 cats — from Rodynske, Ivanopillia, Serhiivka, Kostiantynivka, Hryshyne, Vasylivka, Lyman, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk in the Donetsk region.

1. We also transported animals that had been evacuated earlier and were receiving treatment in veterinary clinics:

• A dog and four puppies were transferred from the AldenVet clinic in Kyiv to Vlada Rudenko’s shelter in Cherkasy. The animals had been under observation for suspected enteritis, but they turned out to be healthy.
• The cats Matilda and Pulia were taken from the Komanda clinic in Dnipro to Kyiv, where they will receive care at the Kotokhata shelter.
• The cat Vohnyk was transferred from the Komanda clinic in Dnipro to Pegasus shelter. Unfortunately, Vohnyk was diagnosed with leukemia, but the shelter agreed to take care of him.
• At the request of volunteers, we transported an injured dog from Pavlohrad to Vsi Khvostyky shelter in Irpin. The dog had been previously evacuated from Pokrovsk.
• We relocated a cat with dysplasia from a veterinary clinic in Dnipro to the Kyiv region, where it was taken in by friends of a serviceman who had rescued the animal and requested evacuation assistance.
• We transported a dog and two puppies from a veterinary clinic in Dnipro to their owner in Slovyanka, Dnipropetrovsk region. Through the Paw of Care project, we covered the cost of their treatment, surgery, and sterilization.
• The shepherd dog Inha was brought from a veterinary clinic in Dnipro to a shelter in the Poltava region. We had previously evacuated Inha from the Donetsk region and paid for her treatment at a clinic.
• We moved a puppy being treated for babesiosis at the Doctor Dog veterinary clinic in Kryvyi Rih to a shelter in Pavlysh, Kirovohrad region, and we also covered the cost of its treatment.

1. In January, we covered the treatment of 26 animals, sterilized over 400 animals, and provided veterinary assistance to approximately 1,000 animals in total:

• We covered the cost of antiparasitic treatments, sterilization, and vaccination for Lakrytsia, a dog evacuated from Hryshyne. After treatment, the dog was transferred to Myrnohrad Animals shelter in the Kyiv region.
• We paid for the castration and vaccination of 7 cats evacuated from Pokrovsk and transferred them to Novyi Svit shelter in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
• We covered the first and second stages of treatment for Tor, a dog evacuated from Toretsk. Soldiers transported him to Kostiantynivka, and we transferred him to a veterinary clinic in Dnipro. Tor has been under treatment for a month and a half due to severe exhaustion, numerous parasites, and tumors in his throat and mouth. He underwent surgery but still requires medical supervision.
• We paid for hospitalization, ear canal sanitation, antiparasitic treatments, and vaccination for Bagheera, Oreo, Finia, Tyhrulia, and Masiania, cats evacuated from Pokrovsk. All have now been discharged and transferred to Save the Lives shelter in Khmelnytskyi.

• We covered tests, treatment, leukemia screenings, and preventive care for Stitch, a cat evacuated from Pokrovsk. After treatment, he was transferred to Kotokhata shelter in Kyiv, where he will be cared for.
• We paid for hospitalization, tests, parasite treatments, vaccination, and a veterinary passport for a puppy evacuated from the Donetsk region at the request of soldiers. We found a family for the puppy in Kyiv, and after treatment, he was immediately placed with his new owners.
• We covered inpatient treatment, tests, ectoparasite treatments, and leukemia and immunodeficiency tests for Snizhko, a cat evacuated from Pokrovsk. Sadly, Snizhko’s owner passed away, so her neighbor transferred the cat to us. Snizhko was diagnosed with immunodeficiency, anemia, and kidney disease. He is now under the care of the Favorite Animal organization in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
• We paid for the treatment of Pulia, a cat evacuated from Pokrovsk. Her owner was injured in a missile strike and is currently in intensive care in Dnipro. Pulia had an inflamed eye and facial wounds. At the clinic, the cat was examined, and underwent surgery, viral infection tests, and a rhinoscopy. She is now recovering well and has been placed under the care of Kotokhata shelter in Kyiv.
• We covered the treatment of a sick puppy evacuated from Sloviansk at the request of soldiers. Veterinarians conducted tests and confirmed babesiosis. We paid for treatment, tests, preventive care, and vaccination. Symptoms were detected early, and the puppy was saved. She is now under the care of Zoofamily shelter in Pavlysh.
• We paid for hospitalization, preventive treatments, tests, and care for Hlazko, a cat evacuated from Pokrovsk. His owner passed away, and a neighbor handed him over. Veterinarians diagnosed a calicivirus infection, a condition that allows for a full and healthy life. After treatment, Hlazko was transferred to Phoenix shelter in Boryspil. The shelter’s head, Tetiana Kukutson, found him a new family, and the cat is now safe and warm.
• We covered medical examinations, viral disease tests, complete blood counts, sterilization, vaccination, and preventive care for 6 cats evacuated from Pokrovsk. After evacuation, they were brought to a veterinary clinic in Dnipro, and following their treatment, they were transferred to Pegasus shelter in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
• We purchased and delivered 70 doses of combination vaccines and rabies vaccines, as well as antibiotics for evacuated animals under the care of Zoofamily shelter.
• As part of the Life-Saving Christmas Presents project, we funded and delivered veterinary medicines to the following shelters: Animal House Rescue in the Poltava region, Save the Lives in Khmelnytskyi, Myrnohrad Animals in the Kyiv region, Animal Help in Cherkasy.
• As part of the Treatment of Animals Cared for by the Military project, we purchased and delivered 160 combination vaccines for dogs, 160 for cats, and treatments for 169 animals to the following shelters: Kitskim Dim Mokri Nosy in Poltava, Zoohelp in Oleksandriya, Another Dimension in Zelenodolsk, Druh in Dnipro, Bakhmut Protection Society Lada in the Dnipropetrovsk region, The Right to a New Life in Dnipro, and Novyi Svit in the Mykolaiv region. 

1. In January, we sterilized, vaccinated, and microchipped 15 evacuated animals.
2. As part of the Treatment of Animals Cared for by the Military project, we treated one animal, while four others remain under medical care.
3. Thanks to the support of donors of the Paw of Care project, we organized a veterinary mission to Nikopol. In total, we helped 427 animals:

• — We sterilized 392 animals (299 cats, 93 dogs);
• — We captured 182 stray animals for treatment and sterilization;
• — We distributed an additional 25 doses of combination vaccines and 10 rabies vaccines;
• — We provided 607 kilograms of food.

1. 1. Within the Firewood for Animal Shelters project, we funded and delivered firewood to the following shelters: Kotofeyi in Nikopol, Vuhlyk in the Mykolaiv region, Human Rights Initiative NGO in the Donetsk region.

• UAnimals volunteers started the new year strong, continuing to help us in providing care for animals:

• 68 volunteers responded to our call for a “spa day” in eight shelters across Ukraine, helping care for animals without families. They brushed them, cleaned their ears and eyes, and assisted with socialization.
• 77 volunteers helped clean 10 shelters.
• 50 compassionate people participated in walking over 100 animals in four shelters.
• 163 volunteers across 20 regions of Ukraine joined the Watch Out: Cat Under the Hood campaign, raising awareness among drivers that animals often seek warmth inside cars during winter. We distributed 6,300 flyers for circulation in various cities.
• We distributed 400 kilograms of food and 205 treatments in the Sumy, Donetsk, and Kharkiv regions.
• Volunteers also actively participated in spreading important information and fundraising efforts on social media.

We are grateful to each and every one of you for your big hearts and genuine desire to help animals. We are proud of you all!

1. UAnimals lawyers continue fighting for animal rights, providing 46 consultations in response to requests through our chatbot.

The majority of inquiries came from Kyiv, Odesa, Truskavets, Rivne, Cherkasy, and Dnipro. The most common concerns were about poor conditions for pets and the culling of wild animals.

In January, UAnimals’ legal team submitted reports on administrative and criminal offenses and filed appeals with local authorities:

• During the veterinary mission in Nikopol, the UAnimals animal catcher discovered nine dead dogs that he was going to take to the vet for sterilization. UAnimals lawyers filed a criminal complaint with the Nikopol District Police Department for animal cruelty.
• The UAnimals legal team submitted a complaint regarding the Akvarium educational and research complex at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University due to inappropriate conditions for a crocodile. The animal is kept in a small enclosure with barely any water.

The lawyers filed a request with Police Department No. 2 in Dnipro to inspect the animal’s living conditions and review the permits related to its captivity.

The lawyers also filed a request to the Environmental Inspectorate to open an administrative case on the legality of keeping a wild animal and to investigate the activities of the university.

The lawyers also submitted an inquiry to the university administration requesting full documentation on the permit and conditions for keeping the wild animal at the Akvarium complex.

Then, the legal team submitted an inquiry to the university administration requesting full documentation on the permit and conditions for keeping the wild animal at the Akvarium complex.

• The legal department learned from journalists at Kramatorsk Post about a man keeping over 200 goats in horrific conditions — the animals are starving, sick, and dying in large numbers. UAnimals lawyers filed a criminal report with the police, requesting an investigation, entry into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations, prosecution of the responsible party, and removal of the animals.
• The legal team also requested a report from the Security Service of Ukraine in the Odesa region on the inspection of the Nemo dolphinarium.
• On January 7, the UAnimals legal team sent a request to SOCAR Energy Ukraine, asking them to allow pets inside their gas station buildings.
• We have received responses to our earlier inquiries regarding the case of the leopard killing in the Odesa zoo: On January 6, the State Labor Service confirmed that a commission has been formed to investigate the incident. The State Environmental Inspectorate reported that case materials have been sent to the Ministry of Environmental Protection for authorization to conduct an inspection at the zoo.
• On January 8, we received a response from law enforcement regarding a case in the Mykolaiv region, where a man beat a Staffordshire Terrier with a metal rod. A pre-trial investigation has begun.
• In another case of animal cruelty, involving a Toy Terrier, law enforcement ordered a health assessment of the dog, and we are awaiting the expert’s opinion.

Earlier, a video of a man abusing a dog in front of a child made the rounds on social media. Fortunately, the dog has been removed from the abuser, and law enforcement has initiated a pre-trial investigation into the animal abuse case.

The dog’s health condition will be assessed, and authorities will determine whether to escalate charges, as the crime was committed in the presence of a minor.

• Regarding the legal case against the Zviropolis petting zoo, we filed a motion to resume proceedings after the court previously suspended the case due to the need to collect additional evidence. We are awaiting the court’s decision.

Thank you for sataying with us, supporting and inspiring us! Without your donations, likes, comments, shares, and involvement, we wouldn’t have achieved so much.