Ukraine’s Youth Step Up to Adopt the Thousands of Animals Affected by War

Olena M. (30 years old):

Olena is a 30-year-old entrepreneur from Ukraine, who runs her own food business while also working for a local brand. She has a passion for plants and enjoys capturing moments with her old Sony camera. Her life took a new turn when she adopted a dog named Chara, a lively and affectionate girl who loves playful nibbles and scratches. Olena found Chara at a shelter, where she had been rescued from the war-torn city of Izium in the Kharkiv Region. Their connection was immediate, and Olena brought Chara home the next day, forming a new family together.

Daria P. (31 years old):

Daria is a 31-year-old living and working in Kyiv, Ukraine. Her dog, Amelie, is a cocker spaniel with a heartwarming rescue story. Daria’s boyfriend found Amelie near the Belarusian border during a mission with his unit. Amelie was in poor condition, but he couldn't leave her behind and brought her to Kyiv. Daria had always wanted a dog, especially one that needed help, and Amelie became that special companion. Their bond grew quickly, turning Amelie into a cherished part of Daria’s life.

Nastia H. (32 years old):

Nastia is a 32-year-old UX/UI Designer living in Kyiv, with roots in Abkhazia and Severodonetsk, both regions heavily impacted by Russian occupation. Her dog, Spike, was found by a friend in a village in the Donetsk region. Despite being breedless, Spike believes he's a hunter, and his favorite activities include crawling, howling, and swimming. Nastia’s journey with Spike has brought joy and comfort amidst the backdrop of conflict and displacement that has marked much of her life.

Vitalii R. (33 years old):

Vitalii, 33, is the founder of Numo ADHD, a startup helping people with ADHD worldwide. Married to his wife Julia, they adopted a dog named Dyvo, whose name means "Miracle" in Ukrainian. Dyvo was found as a fragile puppy suffering from a severe illness, but thanks to the care of volunteers, he recovered. Vitalii and Julia took Dyvo in for a trial period, and within a day, they knew he was meant to stay. For Vitalii, who had never felt a deep connection with animals before, Dyvo became a source of healing and unconditional love.

Costya C. (34 years old):

Costya, 34, works in IT and volunteers actively, believing in the power of community involvement. He and his girlfriend adopted a mixed-breed dog named Runa from the Dogs Adopt shelter in Vasylkiv. Runa, who they playfully call a little miracle, has brought immense joy into their lives. She even has a quirky habit of sleeping wrapped around their heads like a hat. The couple appreciates the shelter's approach of placing dogs in temporary homes, which reduces the stress for animals like Runa.

Oleh M. (41 years old) and Lika B. (30 years old):

Oleh, 41, and Lika, 30, are a creative couple from Kyiv who both work for a local brand—Oleg as a designer and Lika as an art director. Together, they adopted Maoshinda, a Ukrainian Laika, after finding her through an Instagram ad. Mao had been living on the streets of Rivne before they brought her into their home. Despite initial concerns about having pets, Mao quickly became an irreplaceable part of their lives, bonding deeply with both Oleg and Lika. The couple’s journey with Mao has been one of love, commitment, and mutual understanding.

Anya D. (22 years old):

Anya, 22, shares her life with Luna, a street dog from Chernivetska oblast. Luna, who lost most of her puppies to disease, was rescued by a volunteer group and later adopted by Anya. For Anya, who has always had dogs, bringing Luna into her life was a way to fill the void left by the war and the absence of friends. Luna's journey from the streets to a loving home has been a source of comfort and companionship for Anya.

Max (33 years old) 

Max (33) is a cameraman who shoots commercials and documentaries. He is also involved in the brand "odeur1885," which produces perfumed paper. Max's dog, Chief, likely a mixed breed but resembling a Wheaten Terrier, was brought by military medics from Ocheretyne in the Donetsk region in the summer of 2022. 

Chief was in poor condition when found, covered in fleas with matted fur. Initially, Chief didn't know how to play with toys, and it took some time to teach him. Max originally planned to name him something else, but after shaving off his fur, leaving only his mustache, the name "Chief" seemed perfect. Chief quickly became very attached to Max, which has its challenges, including separation anxiety. One time, Chief ate several kilograms of food left in the kitchen and even tried to share by placing half a loaf of bread under Max's pillow.

Olga (34 years old) and Andrii (30 years old):

Olga, 34, is a journalist and entrepreneur in hospitality and fashion, while Andrii, 30, is a composer, sound engineer, and adventure-lover. Together, they adopted a husky named Sirko, who was rescued by Zoo Patrol volunteers in Irpin after its deoccupation in April 2022. Andrei felt an instant connection to Sirko after seeing his picture in a friend chat and soon brought him home. 

The name Sirko holds special meaning, inspired by a Ukrainian rap song and the legendary Cossack leader Ivan Sirko. When Andrii showed Olga a picture of Sirko, she immediately booked a flight back to Kyiv from Berlin. Adopting Sirko marked a turning point for Olga, prompting her return to Ukraine despite safety concerns. Sirko has since become a grounding force in their lives, bringing deeper meaning during turbulent times.