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Rescuing animals during disasters – Europe
save human lives by saving animals before, during and after disastershow IFAW is helping animals and people during the Ukraine crisis
In the wake of the destruction of Ukraine’s largest dam, IFAW is helping our partners in the neighboring region of Mykolaiv, to which many people and animals have fled due to flooding.
>>> Follow the latest updates on our response here.
May 29, 2023
IFAW continues to provide emergency relief and funds to help the Ukrainian people and their animals impacted by the ongoing war. These are some of our most recent and upcoming activities:
Providing beds and vet services for pets in Mykolaiv: During the winter period, IFAW supported Mykolaiv Red Cross in providing 374 families with insulated beds for 900 animals. In May and June, Red Cross in Mykolaiv will be providing veterinary care for pets from displaced and resident families, whose accommodation was damaged during the war.
Treating animals with war-related injuries: To date, support from IFAW has enabled Nova Ukraine to help nearly 12,000 animals. In addition to providing food for shelters and animals of families in need, IFAW funds are helping Nova Ukraine create mobile accommodations for animals at shelters and rescue centers. Nova Ukraine’s local partners treating rescued animals include Alden Vet Clinic, the Step Up rehabilitation center, and Animal Rescue Kharkiv.
Supporting the local economy and delivery of free pet food: In March 2023, IFAW began purchasing directly from Kormotech—Ukraine’s largest pet food manufacturer—as part of a strategic partnership to maximize capacity to deliver food to shelters and families in need. IFAW purchased 3,508 kilograms of pet food (7,734 pounds) from Kormotech in March, which was delivered to 227 cats and 51 dogs in the Lviv region. In June, IFAW plans to purchase around 50,000 kilograms (110,000 pounds) of pet food and distribute it among shelters and families located in frontline regions like Mykolaiv and Kharkiv, and regions which host many displaced families and pets.
Evacuating wildlife and supporting rescue centers: IFAW supports wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centers with emergency grants and animal welfare advice, and supports the evacuation and transportation of wildlife into safer areas outside of Ukraine. To date, IFAW has rescued 14 wild animals from Ukraine: 11 big cats (two caracals, one leopard, and eight lions), one wolf, and two brown bears. We are currently working with Wild Animal Rescue and UAnimals in Kyiv to evacuate another 14 big cats from Ukraine and transport them to Poznań Zoo in Poland.
Led by wildlife rescue field officer Natalia Gozak, we recently assessed and signed grant agreements with several wildlife centers, which take care of big cats, bats, hamsters, birds, and captive wildlife rescued from illegal trade.
Veterinary services for owned and shelter animals: IFAW and USAVA work together to provide free vaccination, chipping, and sterilization for pets from displaced and resident families and for shelter pets in the cities of Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odessa, and surrounding areas. USAVA has partnered with 18 veterinary clinics in those cities to provide veterinary care onsite. By the end of March, over 14,400 animals were vaccinated, 14,900 were chipped, and 2,100 were sterilized.
IFAW has been helping animals threatened by the intense conflict in Ukraine since February 2022. Thanks to overwhelming support from people around the world, IFAW’s work and that of our partners continues to make a difference for the animals and people impacted by the war in Ukraine and around the world.
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To see a list of resources for families fleeing Ukraine with their pets, click here.
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