On the morning of February 6, 2026, a Russian drone slammed into the Give a Paw Shelter in the heart of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.
In an instant, safety turned to chaos for the 530 animals in the shelter’s care. Tragically, 13 dogs were killed, seven more were pulled from the wreckage with devastating injuries. Despite veterinarians’ desperate efforts, two of the dogs did not survive. Five remain under intensive treatment.
The wounds tell the story of a tragedy when safety turned into chaos in an instant. Credit: Secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council and Acting Mayor Regina Kharchenko-Humanitarian Media Hub
Because of the danger in Zaporizhzhia, which is only 19 miles (30 kilometers) from the frontline, a full evacuation of the dogs is impossible, because any attempt would certainly be attacked by Russian drones. Instead, the most vulnerable animals are being quietly moved in small groups.
500 dogs trapped on the frontline with no escape.
But 500 dogs remain and their only hope is if we can get the shelter repaired, rebuilt and protected immediately. These animals have literally nowhere else to go, the shelter is their only hope.
The immediate challenge is that the shelter does not have enough money to pay building and repair costs. Because their food stocks were destroyed, what little money they have goes to feed 500 hungry dogs.
Please donate to this serious emergency. The animals need us.
The explosion left nothing untouched – enclosures ripped apart, supplies destroyed and a haven reduced to rubble in an instant. Credit: Ukrinform (Left) Kateryna Klochko/AP/The Telegraph (Right)
Credit: Secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council and Acting Mayor Regina Kharchenko-Humanitarian Media Hub
Without emergency funds, further evacuation efforts will stall and injured animals will not receive the continued care they desperately need.
The emotional toll on the only five staff members and a handful of volunteers is overwhelming. They are exhausted and heartbroken. But they are still there, abandoning the animals isn’t an option.
Lives are hanging in the balance.
In the wake of devastation, volunteers searched tirelessly through the wreckage, searching for survivors. Their determination drove them forward as they carefully navigated the debris, fighting to save every life they could. Credit: Secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council and Acting Mayor Regina Kharchenko-Humanitarian Media Hub
Give a Paw, needs urgent financial support for:
- Dry and wet food to replace destroyed supplies
- Transport carriers and secure cages
- Veterinary medicines and surgical aftercare
- IV fluids for critical patients
- Materials to rebuild damaged kennels and structures
We must act now.
This is an active war zone. The shelter has been hit once and the risk remains.
Do not wait to open your heart and give generously for the dogs that call Give a Paw Shelter home.
In the middle of war, compassion can win because of people like you.
Please give now and be the reason hope rises in Zaporizhzhia.
