Rescued and openhearted

Kasova Hora has provided a haven for Przewalski's horse, northern spotted deer, and mouflons. In exchange, they are preserving the rare steppe there. This system of nature's self-restoration is one man's dream come true. Read the article to learn how it happened.

The marbled polecat is a rare animal found in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas of Ukraine, as well as the Azov steppes. In the area that is currently occupied by russia, it was formerly protected. Scientists thought there were just 100 marbled polecats in all of Ukraine, but in recent years, reports of the animal have increased. We talked to one of the people who witnessed it to find out what is so special about the marbled polecat.

Since 2014, Ukrainian servicewoman and poet Olena Bilozerska has been rescuing animals on the front line. She shares stories about the animals she rescued, including a puppy she exchanged for grenades and a kitten nearly snatched by US troops during training.

How is the protection of stray cats and dogs organized in Estonia? How does a shelter there function? What can other countries learn from Estonia? Read the interview with the chief administrator of a municipal shelter in Tartu.

Ground teeth, lost eyesight, and repetitive movements of former circus bears tell us more about training than a million interviews with their abusers. That's why we asked the staff of bear rehabilitation centers about the condition and fate of their residents. This is the first article of the Hey STOP project, a series of publications about the exploitation of animals in circuses.

To find the only remaining school within the entire frontline area of the Zaporizhzhia region and to repurpose its gymnasium into an emergency room, an operating area and a post-operative room. This is what saving lives looks like just 10 kilometers from the front line—an area with no veterinary clinics, yet home to injured, sick, and abandoned animals. The UAnimals team arrived there to offer assistance, and now we are sharing the most powerful moments from this mission.

Every year, thousands of wild hamsters are being killed in Ukraine. However, this is not the only reason why scientists predict its complete extinction by 2050. We talk about the threats to this species and rescue missions with Mykhailo Rusin, a researcher at the Rehabilitation and Reintroduction Center for Rare Species at Kyiv Zoo and the founder of the Hamster Rescue Center.

From patrolling the streets to going undercover, Mark Randell spent over three decades in law enforcement. After retiring from the police force, he dedicated himself to exposing a category of crime that is often overlooked: crimes against animals. In our conversation with Mark Rendell, we find out how he managed to reduce the number of pheasants brought to Britain to be killed, and what it takes to go undercover in the world of illegal dog fighting.

These people have spent years rescuing animals from the war and cruelty. However, they’ve also witnessed compassion and care on this path. What attitude towards the animals have they seen? We invite you to reflect on this while reading the stories from animal volunteers.

A few answers to simple and funny questions — and just like that, you’ll find out which award you truly deserve for your hidden and not-so-hidden talents.

Illegal wildlife trade is one of the most powerful criminal businesses in the world. According to Interpol, its annual turnover ranges from $7 billion to $23 billion. These figures are surpassed only by human trafficking, drug trade, and arms dealing.

Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, Natalka Sokolova, founder of the Accessible Sterilization project, and her colleagues have been living practically out of suitcases. They work on trips to frontline territories and the Kyiv region. In this interview, Natalka shares her experiences and the achievements of her initiative.

Risk your life to escape occupation or hide in a basement? Complicate your journey by bringing your animals or betray them by leaving them behind? This article is about choices — and about love and responsibility.

For nearly a year, Kupiansk district of Ukraine has been without veterinary care. Veterinarians left these devastated towns and villages, where the sounds of the frontline have become a constant background, and shelling is as routine for the locals as a trip to the store. That’s why UAnimals chose this area for its first veterinary mission. A journalist from UAnimals Media joined the team and recorded the mission’s chronicles.

The importance of studying and protecting wetlands

Medieval attitudes towards felines

Helping animals with concussions and wounds from shelling wasn't the kind of work veterinarian Viktor Vorotnikov imagined in his childhood dreams. But this is the reality he shared with us in our conversation.

What archaeology and animal protection have in common

A heartwarming story about a soldier who took in a stray kitten at his dugout and now cares for her, just as she cares for him and his comrades.

The United States, Costa Rica, Uganda… Andrew Kushnir travels the world helping animals. This is his fifth visit to Ukraine: he has rescued not only cats and dogs but also lions and a leopard. He shared all of this in the interview, sometimes even in Ukrainian.

How dogs were viewed in the Middle Ages

How do activists care for animals in Ukraine's regions? How does compassion for animals translate into hundreds of saved lives and the first court penalties for animal abusers? Read about this and more in an interview with a volunteer from the UAnimals community.

Perceptions of pit bulls in Ukraine and the United States

Meet the bears Synochok, Liubochka, Chada, and Mykhasyk, as well as their half-wolf neighbor, Nymphadora. They were once treated as objects: kidnapped from their dens, forced to perform in circuses, confined to cramped cages, sold and resold. Now, they live in spacious enclosures with semi-natural conditions. Finally, they have a choice.

The inhabitants of Pegasus are the dog Nulyk, the mare Liubasha, the wild boar Soma, the camel Yasha... Did you imagine cartoon characters? But their stories are not made up or drawn, so they foster kindness, compassion and love for the world. Read, get inspired and tell children and adults!

15-year-old student from the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine has come up with a way to make the future Kyiv Bypass Road safe for local animals. He was inspired by the experience of crabs from Christmas Island. More details and even more animal protection projects from Ukrainian teenagers can be found in the interview.

The persons in this text demonstrate their love for animals through their actions. Volunteers spend their weekends and vacations at shelters. They deliver food to places where there is shelling every day. And they even rescue a bat by housing it in their own refrigerator. Read on and join in!

Meet Andrea, an Italian and the residents of his shelter for domestic and wild animals in Kyiv region. Together, they survived 40 days of occupation, despite the shortage of food for both people and animals. This is a story of love for all living beings, care, and the desire to protect their own.

The founder of a network of shelters for pets and farm animals shared her insights on equine-assisted therapy, explained the concept of ahimsa, discussed whether cows get sterilized, and revealed the cost of rescuing a large animal from occupied areas.

This article is an excursion through the bird rehabilitation centre Free Wings. Here you will get acquainted with the diversity of birds — from the nameless hawk to the ravens of Taziks royal line. And also — their rescuer Viktor Shelvinsky.

After February 24, life has changed: instead of continuing to design buildings or shoot videos, Khrystyna and Serhii decided to professionally catch animals for sterilization. Read more about this profession in the interview.

The story of a small animal who become a strong support during wartime for Ukrainian soldiers: reminding them of home and loved ones, being a friend and psychologist, and even saving live.