Ukrainian Volunteers Who Have Been Saving Animals Amid War and Devastation

Most of us remember the emotional images from the very beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, where people were fleeing their homes carrying their beloved pets. 

Unfortunately, not all animals were lucky enough to be taken by their owners. Plenty of animals—including stray ones—were trapped on the frontline, looking for an escape. 

Amidst this chaos, many volunteer organizations emerged and stepped up to rescue those who needed help the most.

Every life matters with UAnimals

This Ukrainian organization began its activity in 2016 by opposing large-scale animal exploitation in circuses. After the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the organization shifted its focus to evacuating animals from war zones and reconstructing animal shelters that were damaged by Russia’s attacks.

On June 6, 2023, a real environmental and humanitarian catastrophe happened when Russia blew up the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine’s Kherson Region. A team of UAnimals volunteers rushed to the Kherson Region to organize evacuations of animals and to coordinate work with other shelters and rehabilitation centers.

It is estimated that more than 74,000 animals died due to the Kakhovska dam destruction. In the “Kazkova Dibrova” (Fairytale Grove) zoo alone, nearly all of its 260 animals died. It was impossible to evacuate animals in advance because Russian forces mined the park surrounding the zoo and blocked all access routes.

Khvostata Banda and Borodyanka Shelter

Before the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a municipal dog shelter operated in Borodyanka, a village in Bucha district, Kyiv Region. It was a temporary home to around 500 dogs. After Russian troops entered the village, the shelter was cut from the volunteers, including “Khvostata Banda” (Tail Banda), a charitable fund created in 2021. The animals had to endure hunger and thirst.

On the 4th day of the full-scale invasion, Russian troops entered Borodyanka. The “Khvostata Banda” volunteers were able to get to the shelter on April 1, the day Borodyanka was liberated, not expecting to see many dogs surviving. Out of 485 dogs, the volunteers saved 263. This was a miracle, considering dogs had no water or food for a month.

The dogs were provided with all the needed medical care and moved to horse racing stables (Ipodrom) in Kyiv. Around 200 animals became refugees in eight European countries, where more than half of the animals have found a forever home. 

Hostomel Shelter

The bombing hit this shelter at 5 am on February 24, when Russian forces pushed forward towards the strategically important Antonov airport in Hostomel, a city situated 20 kilometers northwest of Kyiv. The shelter lay merely 8 kilometers away from this airport.

The shelter was created in 2000 and hosted over 580 dogs and 100 cats. After the partial occupation of the Kyiv Region, the Russian troops conducted searches in the shelter and interrogated the staff. Several dogs were killed.

Due to Russia’s shelling, the shelter suffered damages totaling $30,000. The biggest challenge during the occupation was the absence of electricity, which caused a lack of water supply, making it difficult to feed and give water to the animals.

In addition to the animals in the shelter, the personnel took care of animals from a neighboring private zoo, fed a lion, and saved animals that were left by their owners in Hostomel.

"It was morally difficult to be in the occupation; we saw the death of many animals. For example, more than ten horses were burned alive because a shell hit the stable. It was scary because no one knew when it was going to be over," said the head of the shelter, Maria Vronska.

Actor Oleksiy Surovtsev rescuing animals from Irpin

Oleksiy Surovtsev is a Ukrainian actor and animal rights activist who has been rescuing animals from Irpin, Kyiv Region, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Amidst the chaos, more and more people started contacting Oleksiy to save their animals. 

During the first month of Russia’s invasion, Oleksiy took over 300 animals from Irpin—cats, dogs, parrots, chinchillas, and guinea pigs.

Often cats were afraid and hid in apartments in inaccessible places and were exhausted because of not eating for a long time.

"Rescue operations are completely different now," he says. Because of the war, there are many homeless animals, many injured and sick. "Now I try to pick up animals in the most difficult condition. When a cat has a broken spine or has been hit by a car, or without a paw, without eyes. Many of the cases I take on are extremely difficult. We do have a good percentage of rescue; we save 95% of animals," says Oleksiy.

After the liberation of the Kyiv Region, Oleksiy continued helping animals in need and opened a cat shelter called “Borodata Kotomama” (Bearded Cat-Mom) and a zoo shop, the profits of which go to helping animals.

Animal Rescue Kharkiv Center saving animals from Vovchansk

Russia’s new offensive actions in the Kharkiv region have resulted in a new wave of animal rescue operations. One of the organizations working on the ground is the “Animal Rescue Kharkiv” center, which is helping evacuate dogs, cats, and sometimes even livestock animals from Vovchansk—a city under constant Russian shelling.

The war is ongoing, and the number of animals in need remains high. Despite the dangers, volunteers risk their lives to rescue animals from life-threatening situations and dangerous locations, offering them hope for a brighter future.