November 2025

This time, the route of the UAnimals evacuation team went through:

• Donetsk region — Raihorodok, Kramatorsk, Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, Druzhkivka;
• Dnipropetrovsk region — Ternuvate, Pokrovske, Chernenkove, Vasylkivka, Chaplyne;
• Zaporizhzhia region — Ternuvate, Nove Pole.

In November, we also transported 37 animals from clinics to shelters and new families. Before this, they had been evacuated from combat zones. Thanks to care, treatment, and rehabilitation, they recovered and are now settling into more comfortable conditions.

We also funded the seizure of two lionesses from Khmelnytskyi — Simba and Sima — totaling UAH 96,800 (~$2 291,96). The lionesses were removed from the private center, Palyokhin’s Zoo Corner, by Natalia Popova, Head of the Wild Animals Rescue Center, together with a veterinarian and the Association of Animal Welfare Organizations of Ukraine. First, the animals were transported to the Center in Kyiv, and then to a specialized rehabilitation center in South Africa.

In addition to the two lionesses, we received permission to seize three more animals — a fox, a raccoon dog, and a badger, which were also transported to Kyiv for further care.

1. We sent 218 anti-parasitic treatments to two shelters — Dobre Sertse Hlukhiv and Babynets Shelter.

2. We delivered 200 combination vaccines to the Konotop Animal Protection Organization Animals’ Friends, and an additional 70 vaccines to the Zoofamily shelter.

3. We purchased and delivered 300 rapid tests for detecting common animal infections for the Patron Pet Center.

4. We purchased anti-parasitic treatments for stray cats and dogs in high-risk areas. Assistance was directed to Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy regions, where needs are especially acute. 1,500 animals were helped.

5. We purchased and delivered 10 veterinary first-aid kits for service dogs of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

6. We paid for various veterinary services for 261 animals. These included animals evacuated by us directly, evacuated by volunteers at our request, as well as animals for which volunteers and soldiers requested assistance.
Paid services included:

• initial examinations, diagnostics, and veterinary consultations;
• inpatient care;
• treatment of injuries, infectious, viral, and parasitic diseases;
• surgical procedures;
• vaccinations, microchipping, registration, and comprehensive parasite treatments;
• laboratory tests, rapid tests, ultrasound examinations, X-rays, and MRI scans;
• temporary housing for animals;
• medications, food, and specialized care during recovery.

Animals from the following locations received assistance: Kupiansk, Balakliia, Ivanivka, and Druzhkivskyi district of Kharkiv region; Vodianske, Dobropillia, Zavydо-Borzenka, Pokrovske, Sloviansk, Novoekonomichne, Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, Myrove, and Bilytske of Donetsk region; Komyshuvakha and Huliaipole of Zaporizhzhia region; Bilozerka and Kherson of Kherson region; Oleksandrivka of Dnipropetrovsk region.

Funds for this assistance came from donations collected for the treatment of injured and critically ill animals, for animals cared for by soldiers, as well as from contributions from our donors and partners.

7. With the remaining funds from this campaign, we purchased veterinary medicines, spending UAH 6,404.36 (~$151,64).

1. We paid for sterilization, vaccination, and microchipping of an evacuated animal in the Kharkiv region.

2. We paid the bill for the castration of a dog cared for by a woman from Sloviansk.

3. In Mykolaiv region, we funded sterilization, vaccination, and microchipping for 29 animals; in Sumy region — 31 animals; and in Kherson region — 56 animals.

4. During our Vet Mission in Rybakivka, Mykolaiv region, we managed to sterilize, vaccinate, and microchip 399 animals — 101 dogs and 298 cats, 79 of which were caught by our catcher. Veterinarians also provided 12 consultations to animal caregivers. We conduct such veterinary missions in frontline cities and villages where access to veterinary care is extremely limited.

5. We provided financial assistance to Gostomel Shelter for the sterilization of 19 animals.

1. We delivered 223 kilograms of food and 86 parasite treatments to animals cared for by soldiers in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv regions. Funds for this came from donations collected for food and parasite treatments for animals cared for by defenders.

2. We also assisted shelters and rehabilitation centers across Ukraine:

• Pegasus, Dnipropetrovsk region — 619 kilograms;

• Animal House Rescue, Poltava region — 400 kilograms;

• Animals in Love, Kyiv — 70 kilograms;

• Dream in the Palms, Dnipropetrovsk region — 451 kilograms;

• Dobrokit, Cherkasy region — 50 kilograms;

• Cathouse, Khmelnytskyi region — 349 kilograms;

• New World Kryvyi Rih, Mykolaiv region — 400 kilograms;

• Homeless World, Kyiv region — 414 kilograms;

• Druzi Space, Donetsk region — 502 kilograms;

• Konotop Animal Protection Organization Animals’ Friends, Sumy region — 476 kilograms;

• Zoorai, Dnipropetrovsk region — 300 kilograms;

• Synelnykove Animal Welfare Organization Zooporyatunok, Dnipropetrovsk region — 416 kilograms;

• Gandhi, Kyiv region — 400 kilograms;

• Promin Miloserdia, Kharkiv — 310 kilograms;

• Kot Begemot, Kherson — 406 kilograms;

• Otrymai Druha, Odesa region — 296 kilograms;

• Kitskin Dim Mokri Nosy, Poltava region — 50 kilograms;

• V Dobri Ruky, Kyiv region — 375 kilograms;

• Tobias. Animals of Kherson, Kherson — 304 kilograms;

• Stray Animal Sterilization Team, Kyiv — 400 kilograms;

• Zoohelp, Kirovohrad region — 410 kilograms.

3. We purchased grain, feed, mineral blocks, and medicines for wild animals in nature reserves and rehabilitation centers: Khortytsia National Nature Reserve, Synevyr, Yelanets Steppe, Free Wings, and Eco-Halych (Casova Mountain).

4. We paid for the purchase of 350 bales of hay and 350 bales of straw, as well as delivery, for the Vuhlyk shelter in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

5. We provided financial assistance of UAH 66,000 (~$1 562,70) for the purchase of hay for the winter period for the Myrolad shelter in the Vinnytsia region.

1. Thanks to the #PowerCoins campaign of the National Bank of Ukraine, we paid for the production and delivery of 15 doghouses for the residents of the Druzhkivka — Territory of Kindness shelter, which, after evacuation from the Donetsk region, is restoring its operations in the Cherkasy region.

2. We purchased and delivered an enclosure for the New World Kryvyi Rih shelter. It will house 11 dogs evacuated from the Mykolaiv region by a volunteer at our request.

3. Using funds collected for medical equipment, we purchased and delivered essential equipment to 7 shelters. This equipment will help ensure timely treatment, sterility, and quality care for animals. Support was provided to the following shelters and rehabilitation centers:

• Favorite Animals — 6 infusion pumps;

• Cathouse — 2 infusion pumps and 2 bactericidal recirculators;

• Give a Paw — 1 infusion pump and 2 quartz lamps;

• Zooporyatunok — 2 bactericidal recirculators;

• Zoohelp — 1 examination table, 2 bactericidal recirculators, and 2 IV stands;

• Animals in Love — bactericidal recirculators;

• Mini Shelter Dobre Serce — 1 bactericidal recirculator and 2 infusion pumps.

4. As part of the fundraising project for doghouses and enclosures for animals evacuated from frontline areas from the Bilozerk Animals shelter, we paid for the second phase of purchasing enclosures and doghouses.

5. Within the Great Winter Fundraiser for fuel for heating and cooking in shelters and rehabilitation centers, we paid for the purchase and delivery of firewood, briquettes, and pellets for:

• Favorite Animals;

• Another Dimension;

• Hvostaty Dim;

• New World Kryvyi Rih;

• Forsaken Angel;

• Cathouse;

• Dream in the Palms;

• Gandhi;

• Ukrainian Animal Welfare;

• Pegasus;

• Zoofamily;

• Bakhmut Protection Society Lada;

• Babynets Shelter;

• Homeless World;

• the Right to a New Life.

1. They distributed 1,870 kilograms of food. These were the following localities: Druzhkivka and Sloviansk (Donetsk region); Dmytrivka and Kutsurub (Mykolaiv region); Pavlohrad (Dnipropetrovsk region); Kherson, Tekstylnyi, and Chornobaivka (Kherson region); Seredyna-Buda, Yampil, Svesa, Khutir-Mykhailivskyi, Znob-Novhorodske, and Chuikivka (Sumy region); Pisochyn (Kharkiv region); as well as settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region.

2. We equipped bat hibernation shelters on Khortytsia Island. Due to the war, a large number of bats were forced to migrate, and their population on the island increased significantly after the russians destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station.

Inside, the shelters have special grooves so that bats can cling comfortably. The installation height was calculated according to the natural needs of bats. Each shelter can house up to 50 bats. These shelters will serve as refuges for approximately 5 years.

3. We joined the Warm Blanket for a Shelter campaign within the UAnimals educational project Humane Education: volunteers collected more than 150 blankets, throws, and mats, and sent them to 7 shelters: Mini Shelter Dobre Serce (Kirovohrad region), Druh (Dnipropetrovsk region), Give a Paw (Kirovohrad region), Bakhmut Protection Society Lada, Abandoned Angel (Khmelnytskyi region), Myrnohrad Animals (Kyiv region), Animal Help Cherkasy (Cherkasy region).

1. The German animal welfare organization Deutscher Tierschutzbund e.V. provided us with a monthly donation of EUR 15,000. The funds will be directed to key areas of assistance for animals: treatment, sterilization, and the purchase of vaccines and anti-parasitic treatments.

2. The Italian animal welfare organization LAV provided the second tranche of its donation within the framework of our joint project to provide medical assistance to animals from frontline areas. The funds are being directed toward treatment, veterinary care, and support for animals affected by the war.

3. As part of the collaboration Animals of Ukraine, the company KIDDISVIT donated UAH 200,000 (~$4 735,46) to support wild animals in national nature parks and rehabilitation centers. The funds were allocated to providing animals with food, veterinary care, and necessary supplies:

• Khortytsia National Nature Reserve — mineral blocks, grain, bat shelters — ~ UAH 37,074.20 (~$877,82);

• Yelanets Steppe Nature Reserve — mineral blocks and grain for winter feeding — ~ UAH 16,430 (~$389,02);

• Synevyr National Nature Park — antibiotics, anthelmintics, tranquilizers, painkillers — ~ UAH 78,402 (~$1 856,35);

• Casova Mountain — anti-parasitic treatments, grain, mineral blocks — ~ UAH 16,038 (~$379,74);

• Free Wings Rehabilitation Centre — bird feed (255 kilograms) — ~ UAH 51,561 (~$1 220,82).

4. We received the second grant payment from the International Renaissance Foundation under the CSF program for organizing and holding an exhibition in Brussels dedicated to ecocide in Ukraine caused by russia.

5. The company Collar conducted a fundraising campaign for our charity jar. The funds raised were directed toward insulating animal facilities and purchasing essential medicines for their treatment and care.

6. The international company operating in the field of industrial gases and engineering, Air Products, through the Ústecká komunitní nadace, provided support in the amount of UAH 66,000 (~$1 562,70) for the purchase of hay for animals for the winter period.

7. We held the STOP Ecocide Ukraine exhibition, which took place on November 8–14 in Brussels, Belgium, at the Ukrainian Center located near the European Parliament building.

The goal of the exhibition was to show the global community the scale of russia’s environmental crimes against Ukraine’s nature and to evoke an emotional response to the consequences of ecocide. The event was designed for a broad audience, including potential visitors from the European Parliament.

Event partners:

• Territory of Participation — local organizational partner;

• ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) — exhibition grant provider;

• Ukrainian Voices Refugee Center — exhibition venue.

1. We received 57 requests for legal assistance. Most often, they are concerned improper conditions of keeping animals or cruelty toward animals. Most requests came from Kyiv, Dnipro, Odesa, and Lviv.

2. We filed 11 reports from the organization regarding crimes against animals. Details are provided below.

• We filed a report regarding a case in Lviv, where a child was holding a frightened animal by the neck and painting its face with unknown substances. We demanded that the parents be held administratively liable under Part 1 of Article 184 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses and that the animal be seized. As a result of the review, an administrative protocol was drawn up against the parents, and the animal was seized.

• We filed a report regarding a case in Kharkiv region, where a man, according to preliminary information identified as Dmytro Dmytrovych Kurushyn, brutally beat a dog. We demanded that he be held administratively liable under Article 89 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, that the animal be examined for bodily injuries, and, if such injuries were confirmed, that the perpetrator be held criminally liable under Part 1 of Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

• We filed a report regarding a case where a minor child was abusing a dog, coloring its face with markers. We appealed to the police and the child services authority, demanding that the parents be identified, that they be held administratively liable under Part 1 or Part 4 of Article 184 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, and that the issue of seizing the animal due to a threat to its life and health be considered.

• We filed a report regarding a case in Lviv region, where a group of individuals deliberately ran over stray dogs while chasing them on motorcycles. In the report, we requested that the offenders be identified, that their actions be assessed under Article 89 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, and, if bodily injuries or animal deaths were confirmed, that information be entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under Part 1 of Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

• We filed a report regarding a case in the city of Chernivtsi, where two dogs were deliberately poisoned. We requested that information be entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under Part 3 of Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and that a full, comprehensive pre-trial investigation be conducted into the fact of animal cruelty.

• We filed a report regarding a case in Kyiv, where a dog named Kent was kept in an extremely exhausted condition without proper care, nutrition, or veterinary assistance. We requested that an inspection be conducted, that the elements of an offense be determined, that an administrative protocol be drawn up against the owner, and that the animal be seized. According to a neighbor, the police conducted a preventive conversation, the owner began walking and feeding the dog, and a veterinary examination is planned.

• We filed a report regarding a case in Kremenchuk, where a man beat a dog with his fists on the head and body. We demanded that he be held administratively liable under Article 89 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, that the animal be examined for bodily injuries, and, if such injuries were confirmed, that the perpetrator be held criminally liable under Part 1 of Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. An administrative protocol under Article 89 was drawn up against the man.

3. We are monitoring cases in which proceedings have been opened. In particular:

• We are monitoring proceedings in a case where a man beat a dog in the presence of a minor child. Together with other volunteers, we went to the scene, and the animal was seized. A court hearing took place, during which the examination of the case materials began. The prosecutor reported that at the pre-trial investigation stage, the man admitted his guilt, but has now withdrawn this admission, so all witnesses will be summoned to court. Due to power outages, the court considered only certain categories of cases, and the hearing was postponed to January 20 and February 12.

• We are monitoring the case of mass poisoning of dogs near a hospital in the city of Vinnytsia. We filed an additional report with the police because another animal was poisoned. We also submitted a parliamentary inquiry demanding a full, comprehensive, and impartial pre-trial investigation of this case.

• In the city of Vyshneve, Dnipropetrovsk region, we responded to a case of improper keeping of animals in a shelter, which led to their death. We received a response from the police: administrative protocols were drawn up against citizen Zaieva T. S. under Part 2 of Article 89, Article 152, and Part 1 of Article 154 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, and were forwarded for consideration to the authorized bodies.

• We responded to a case of improper keeping of parrots at the Odesa Zoo. The State Environmental Inspectorate conducted an unscheduled inspection, as a result of which the zoo was issued an order to eliminate violations, and a request was sent to the Ministry of Economy to monitor compliance. The Inspectorate is currently awaiting an order from the Ministry of Economy to conduct a follow-up inspection. In addition to administrative measures, the Prymorskyi District Prosecutor’s Office of Odesa opened criminal proceedings under Part 1 of Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — cruelty to animals.

• In Chudniv, Zhytomyr region, a man in military uniform grabbed a pregnant cat, threw her into a body of water, and struck her several times with a paddle. Initially, the animal was reported dead; however, police quickly identified the scene and witnesses: the cat turned out to be alive, her life is not in danger, and no signs of severe injuries were found.
  Law enforcement authorities notified the man of suspicion of attempted cruelty to animals, under Part 3 of Article 15 and Part 1 of Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He admitted his guilt but could not explain the motives for his actions. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

• In Lviv, a man brutally beat a stray dog without any grounds, delivering numerous kicks, although the animal showed no aggression and posed no danger. We received a response from the police: an administrative protocol was drawn up against the man under Part 1 of Article 89 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.

4. We are monitoring court proceedings. Below are some updates on the cases we are handling.

• The Supreme Court refused to open proceedings on UAnimals’ case regarding the contact zoo Zviropolis. The case was not opened because lower courts had considered it under a simplified procedure as a case of minor complexity.

  Despite the evidence provided, both the court of first instance and the appellate court also refused to recognize the activities of Zviropolis as illegal, even though the facility has been operating for years without any permits to keep wild animals, keeps them in improper conditions, and uses them in prohibited photo services.

  We appealed these decisions to the Supreme Court, as they violate the principles of justice and the rule of law. We continue our legal fight against the entire network of contact zoos Zviropolis and seek to terminate their illegal activities, seize the animals, and transfer them to specialized institutions for rescue.

  In parallel, we are seeking inspections of all branches of Zviropolis and are working with state authorities. The Prydniprovskiy District Inspectorate (Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih) reported that an unscheduled inspection is possible only with permission from the Ministry of Economy and Environment in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 303, which restricts inspections during martial law. The materials have already been forwarded to the Ministry.

  The Capital District Inspectorate (Kyiv) refers to Law No. 4448-VI, stating that they cannot inspect because Zviropolis is registered as a sole proprietor under the simplified taxation system. This is a loophole exploited by violators to avoid oversight.

  What’s next?
  We are awaiting a decision from the Ministry of Economy and Environment regarding permission to conduct an inspection. At the same time, we have once again appealed to the State Environmental Inspectorate, emphasizing their direct duty to protect animals from cruelty. We are also working on alternative legal mechanisms that could help stop the operation of the Zviropolis contact zoos. We will share the next steps soon.

  We have also prepared and submitted a report on administrative offenses related to cruelty to animals and improper conditions for keeping wild animals at Zviropolis.

• We prepared a strategy for further legal action regarding circuses — working to achieve a complete ban on the use of animals in circus performances.

5. We continue our regulatory and policy work. In particular:

• We prepared proposals for local self-government bodies in Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, and Kropyvnytskyi regarding amendments to local regulations so that, with the administration’s permission, customers may enter shops and food establishments with pets, since this is currently prohibited not by businesses, but by local regulations in most cities.

• We prepared a position paper for members of parliament and business representatives to gain their support for changing local rules that currently prohibit entering shops and food establishments with pets. In the document, we briefly explained the essence of the problem, why this ban is outdated, why it should be lifted, and what specific changes we propose. We also prepared official proposals to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Health regarding amendments to sanitary regulations to allow visits to establishments with animals with the consent of the administration.

Friends, thank you to everyone for your support! It is thanks to you that we can save animals every day and do everything possible to make the world kinder to every living being.