It’s been a little over a year since the war in Ukraine broke out. Compounding the human devastation is the tragedy of homeless and displaced pets. The result has been extreme trauma for the pets and their pet parents. If families and their pets remain in their homes, they have to withstand the frightening sounds of bombing. Alternately, if families leave with their pets, then the animals have to endure the stress of being transported to a new location. Additionally, some animals have sustained physical injury, and many are malnourished. Others are homeless because either their pet parents have been killed or have fled the country but could not find homes for their pets.
Pet owners, too, have suffered severe psychological damage. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to have to find someone to adopt my cats (not knowing if they will survive the war) or try to travel with them (especially if they are older or sick) to another country not knowing if I could find a shelter or place to stay that would accept them.
The Ukrainians love their animals. They especially love cats, and before the war, the country boasted of 7 million cats. There are a number of shelters open to cats and dogs. Unfortunately, these shelters can only take care of a limited number of pets. Early in the war, individuals were willing to waive various requirements such as vaccinations to allow animals to be taken across the border. Because of these efforts, 5,500 homeless pets were rescued by those in other countries, and 1,500 pets were adopted by Ukrainians. That has changed, and other countries are charging a high price to rescue a pet from Ukraine (200 Euros or the equivalent of $221 in American money) resulting in a decline of adoptions and rescues.
A number of U.S. and international charities are helping rescue cats (and dogs) including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. There are many individual veterinarians and animal shelters that have either supported or traveled to Ukraine to help with the pet rescue and care.
Yet, despite all the help, shelters in Ukraine, are still in desperate need of funding, supplies, and staff. I know that we have plenty of homeless animals in the United States who need our help, but I hope everyone will remember the cats (and other pets) in Ukraine and their distraught pet parents who have had to endure the hardships of living in a war zone, but also being separated from their beloved pets.
