As Russian missiles continue to lay waste to Ukraine, countless injured, malnourished and abandoned animals are desperate for expert medical care – but without essential veterinary supplies, our team is struggling, always fearful lives will be lost if the medicines run out.
Every day is a living nightmare for the animal victims of war – and the dedicated heroes who are fighting to save them.
We have told you before about our tireless fight to rescue animals from the frontlines of the Ukraine war. We have been helping animals there since the beginning and have promised to stay until the war is over.
Our team has been shot at, bombed and had their vehicles destroyed by enemy drones – yet they refuse to give up, and have rescued thousands of dogs and cats, and given countless wounded and ailing animals the medical treatment they need. Remember, while they are on the frontline, our team faces instant death from drone attacks that can come at any time. But our team keeps going because we know there are wounded animals in pain who need help, and they have no hope except us.
Imagine being a wounded animal sheltering in a burned-out building, shrieking in pain from a shrapnel wound and no help arrives. Not on our watch! We will help every animal we can regardless of the risk.
We work closely with Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARK), an organization that runs a vital animal clinic in the city of Kharkiv. Here, wounded animals rescued from the frontline are given the expert treatment they need, including sophisticated surgical procedures.
Found with a bullet in his neck, Dylan was rushed for emergency surgery and the bullet removed. Today, he is making a good recovery. Credit: ARK
After Dylan was shot by Russian soldiers, our team operated on the poor dog three times in 12 hours to save his life.
In June, friendly soldiers found Dylan bleeding so badly, they thought he would die.When help arrived, they discovered Dylan had been shot in the shoulder and chest.
Our team raced into action, removing the bullet in an emergency surgery. During the night, he faced complications and had another operation to help him breathe. Finally, in the morning, our team operated again, cleaning up his wounds and giving Dylan the best possible chance at recovery.
Today, this brave fighter is getting better, but his road to recovery will be long.
Dylan is just one of the many animals our team helps every day as war rages around them.
Our partner clinic treats some 400 animals every month – many of whom would have died without our help.
But finding veterinary supplies in a war zone is both challenging and expensive, and our partner needs all the help they can get to continue saving lives.
In a typical day, the ARK team uses immunostimulants, serums, antibiotics, anesthetics, titanium plates for osteosynthesis operations, catheters, needles, antiparasitic drugs and vaccines, while providing rapid blood tests for animals.
ARK’s medical team plays a vital role in saving animal lives during the seemingly endless war in Ukraine. Credit: ARK
The clinic relies entirely on donations, and with so many badly injured animals needing emergency intervention, they are struggling to cope. Today, we are asking you to help raise $10,000 (around £7,350) to purchase badly-needed medical equipment to make it possible for this life-saving work to continue.
Despite facing new challenges every day, our partner never turns needy animals away.
Dana is another example of the commitment and dedication of the team. This sweet dog belongs to Svetlana, who lives in Novoosynovo, an area under constant attack by Russian soldiers. Even though others fled the village, Svetlana stayed to help abandoned animals. When she finds one in need, she makes her way on foot through bombed-out buildings to another village where there is a satellite link, and calls our team for help.
The heartwarming moment when Dana was reunited with Svetlana. Credit: ARK
Every time they go to the frontlines, our team risks their lives. Our animal ambulances have been attacked by drones twice – one ambulance was completely destroyed and we replaced it, then that vehicle was badly damaged in a later attack. But when Svetlana called saying her dog, Dana, was sick, our team did not hesitate. They made the harrowing journey, rescued Dana and took her to the clinic for treatment.
When Dana was well, our team undertook another dangerous mission to take her home, using the opportunity to rescue other animals at the same time.
Heartwarming rescues like this are only possible because of the generosity of animal-lovers like you.
We are doing everything we can for the animal victims of war, but we cannot do it without your help. Please donate today.
